Meet Sophie Ackerman

ophie Ackerman plays young Queen Elizabeth in a non-traditionally cast role in Timeline Theatre's play, "The Audience".

Use COMMUNITY5 for a $5 discount to the Friday, Oct 6th show when you buy tickets online, in person, or on the phone.

A portrait of a dynamic and provocative woman—the symbol of a nation—as she weathers decades of history and political strife. Every Tuesday afternoon for more than 60 years, Queen Elizabeth II has met with each of her 12 Prime Ministers in a private audience, a gesture of unity between government and Crown. Through moments of tension, negotiation, war, and unrest, these conversations with political leaders from Winston Churchill to Harold Wilson to Margaret Thatcher have remained a constant across the years. Playwright Peter Morgan re-imagines each of these meetings, giving us a glimpse at the queen’s role in guiding the circumstances that have shaped Great Britain, and a window into the mystery, compassion and humor of the woman behind the iconic crown. "The Audience" is written by Peter Morgan and directed by Nick Bowling. Tickets can be purchased here. 

What’s your personal story?
I was born in Chicago and live in North Center.  I go to Bell Elementary School and am in 4th grade.  I am nine years old.  I have one sister named Isabel.  My best friend is Brynn and she lives next door to me and we were born on the same day!  I love to act, draw, write stories, read, sing, invent, play piano and learn.  I love science and want to be a scientist when I grow up.  Right now, I am an actress, but I probably can do both when I get more school.

What’s your character’s story in “The Audience”?“
The Audience” is about Queen Elizabeth and how she meets with her prime ministers every week.  I play the queen as a child.  My character’s story is that she was forced to live in a castle.  She is sad because no one looks at her in the eye, her friends have to bow and call her ma’am.  She is scared of becoming the future queen.  It’s funny because the older queen talks to the younger queen and gives her advice.  

What challenges does your character face telling this story?
The character’s main challenge is dealing with becoming the queen.  She doesn’t really want to be queen.  She had an “ordinary” life and she had to face becoming queen and all the changes that that brings.  

How does the character overcome those challenges?
She doesn’t overcome the challenges, she accepts them.  

Any other comments?
I love unicorns and science!