Hi, my name is Alison.

I am 13 years old and go to school in Milwaukee. I have one sister, Emily, and one brother, Matthew, four adorable cats named Harley, Maggie, Sammy and Sophie, and my mom and dad. I am homeschooled but aside from school I love to rollerblade, play piano, play violin, sing, dance, act and perform in theater! I have been seen at many theaters such as Marriott Theater in Lincolnshire, Fireside Dinner Theater, First Stage Children’s Theater, Skylight Opera Theater, and many more.

When my mom told me I was cast on INTO THE OUTDOORS, I was overjoyed! I couldn’t believe I was really going to be on TV!

 I am really excited about being on this show because I love how it shows kids that it is fun to learn about the outdoors and that everyone should spend more time exploring outside. I think it’s important to learn and understand that nature is important and we need to take good care of the earth. Shows like this make learning fun!

Q: How did you get picked to be on Into the Outdoors?

A: I auditioned for the producer and then was told I was on the show.

Q: How do your friends and family feel about you being a host on Into the Outdoors?

A: Everyone is so excited for me and they can’t wait to see it.


Q: What is the best part about being on Into the Outdoors?  And the coolest thing you’ve ever gotten to do on a shoot?

A: I think the best part is experiencing what it’s like to film for a television show. The coolest thing I got to shoot was when I got to go near the shores of Flowage and shoot on some rocks. (I almost fell in!).

Q: Did you learn anything interesting on your shoot that you didn’t know before?

A: I learned a lot while shooting, I learned all about the history of the Chippewa Flowage, I also learned about musky fishing and the world’s largest musky!

Q: What did you learn about the shooting process of Into the Outdoors that you didn’t know before you did it?

A: I learned that it takes many takes and different angels to get the look that they want for some segments. You need to be patient and be able to do the same scene over and over to get every angle correct. I also learned that you can’t control the weather from raining, even if the forecast says it won’t rain that day!

Q: What is a normal shoot for you like?  Do you get to travel?

A: We traveled about 6 hours to get to northern Wisconsin, and I stayed in a hotel overnight. The next morning we were ready to shoot and we were shooting for about an hour, when it started raining. We were in our cars for about 30 minutes and we thought to pass the time we should go get ice cream! After we got our ice cream the weather was better and we went back out and filmed the other segments! So, overall it took about 3 or 4 hours to shoot.

Q: Do you have to wear make-up or special clothes?  Who decides these things?  Do you hang out with the crew?  I have so many questions I don’t know where to start… tell me everything?

A: No, there is no make-up and we got to choose our own clothes. Amy (our director/producer) told us to wear something with natural colors and something that was comfortable since we were outdoors! We did get go out to get ice cream with Chris (cinematographer), Amy, and some of the other kids filming.

Q: Is it hard to make up school work when you have to miss class for an Into the Outdoors shoot?  When do you make up the work?  And, would your parents still let you be a part of the ITO cast if your grades started to go down?

A: I am homeschooled so I don’t have to worry about missing school because I can bring schoolwork where ever I go! I did schoolwork on the car ride down and back and I did it when we got to the hotel!

Q: How many Into the Outdoors episodes have you been in?

A: I have only been in one, but I hope to be in more soon!

Q: What do you do for fun when you’re not shooting Into the Outdoors?

A: I love to hang out with my friends, participate in theater, I also enjoy dancing, singing, acting and rollerblading!

Q: What kind of music do you listen to?  And do you listen to it between shots or locations on a shoot?

A: I am constantly listing to show tunes! I also love classical and opera. I was listening to a little music while we drove down but I didn’t really have time to listen to much music between shoots!

Q: What is your favorite movie and why?

A: My favorite movie is Top Hat. I am obsessed with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers (I have figurines of them in my bedroom). I love old movies! One of my most favorite actresses is Audrey Hepburn!

Q: Have you done any acting before? If so, what has been your favorite role(s)?

A: I started acting at age 4 and have been doing it ever since! A few of my favorite roles are Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden, Amaryllis in The Music Man, Young Molly in Jakes Women, Lucille in Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business, and Mary Claire Dougherty in The Christmas Schooner.

Q: What kind of activities do you participate in at school and in your community?

A: I participate in musicals, dramatic theater, voice lessons and recitals, piano lessons, and violin lessons. I have also competed in WMTA (Wisconsin Music Teachers Association) Competition and gotten 1st place for soprano voice, three years in a row.