Take one! Take two!
Harris twins prove that talent is a family trait
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
 Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photos by EMILY BARNES Twin brothers Kyle, left, and Ryan Harris, 15, are focused on their acting and singing career.
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From the time they were infants, the Harris twins have been performing.
They'll have to take their mother, Denise's word for it.
"My mom heard us humming when we were babies and it was on key," said Kyle, 15, and 10 minutes older than brother, Ryan. "I guess our parents could see what we could do."
Soon, the brothers were taking part in Port Tobacco Players Encore Kids, modeling, singing at the Kennedy Center with gospel artists, landing a small part as the sons of actor Morris Chestnut in the 2004 movie "Ladder 49," which filmed in Baltimore and most notably, getting cast as young Simba in the national touring company of the Broadway musical, "The Lion King."
The twins were double cast — the first time in Disney history, they say — that twins shared the role.
After the run ended, the twins came back to the Pomfret home they share with their mother, father, Robert, and little brother, Darius, 6.
"We have both sides," said Ryan, who was recently seen in a re-enactment depicting the 2002 murder of Ashburn, Va. teen, Erica Smith, in a Feb. 28 airing of "America's Most Wanted" "We have the [entertainment] side and we have our normal lives that keep us level-headed."
The brothers, along with Darius on drums, perform as The Brothers Harris in the Children of God Organization, a New York-based youth ministry that travels the country and the world while encouraging children to develop their God-given talents to be used for the betterment of the world.
Through the organization, the brothers have performed at Carnegie Hall in New York and hope to travel to Europe with the group this summer to perform in France, Germany and Italy.
Social and outgoing at Maurice J. McDonough High School — where they are involved in several activities mixing football with drama, and choir with Schools for Schools, a group dedicated to funding Ugandan schools — the twins are currently cast in the school's upcoming production of "Seussical."
Ryan plays Jojo, the mayor's son, while Kyle is the lead Wickersham brother, a family of mischievous monkeys.
As much as they like acting, it is a competitive world, especially when you're an actor going up against your twin for roles.
They were both in the final five for "America's Most Wanted," and even though Ryan ultimately landed the job, Kyle was OK with it.
"It's still a victory for the family," he said, adding that everything tends to balance out in the end. "Whoever gets a job, it's a win for the whole family," Kyle said.
"We have to support each other," Ryan agreed.
While they enjoy acting, singing is the twins' first love.
"Singing is our gift," Kyle said.
And they are determined to succeed.
"It sounds like bragging, but it's not," said Ryan, who was recently inducted into the National Honor Society. "We just have that type of faith in what we do."
Still, mom and dad don't want their two oldest to be blinded by stardust. The family has occasional round table discussions to make sure everyone is still on the same page.
"We'll sit down and discuss [if] they want to continue on this road," Robert Harris said.
"And we'll step back and take breaks," Denise said. "As a parent, you know what your children can do and you can see when they might need to slow down and take a breather."
Their careers have given the twins a lot of amazing opportunities, said their father. It has also given them a level of responsibility and confidence.
"We like hanging out with our friends but sometimes we can't," Kyle said. "We have to stay home and practice, practice, practice."
In addition to their parents requirement of good grades, the brothers are both honor students, with Kyle vowing he'll join his brother in the NHS soon enough. As close as they are, they are also individuals. Ryan plays the trumpet, French horn and piano while Kyle would rather be on the computer or reading up on the latest technology news. Ryan's tastes are more "classical," he said. He wears dress shoes and an Oxford calling it "casual." Kyle favors T-shirts and Converse sneakers. But they are a family and they will take an opportunity to prove that talent runs deep in the Harris genes.
"This is our life," Ryan said. "We know nothing different."
"We're going to do what we do," Kyle added. "We're going to keep knocking on every door and stay focused — physically, mentally and spiritually."
1 comment:
You guys are awesome! Ya doing big things, keep it up! Hope to see you soon!!!
Shilan & Saleah
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