Ernesto Garcia performed last month at his high school talent show. He hopes to appear in "Miss Saigon'' next summer.

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Immigrant has dreams of a career on the stage
DONATIONS WOULD HELP TEEN HONE HIS ACTING SKILLS

with his wavy shoulder-length hair and expressive dark eyes, Ernesto Garcia looks like a star on the telenovelas he sometimes watches. The 18-year-old senior at Menlo-Atherton High School enjoys playing everything from villains to Jesus Christ and yearns for the opportunity to develop as an actor.

Ernesto, who moved from Mexico six years ago with his family and has worked hard to learn English, still struggles somewhat with a heavy accent as he pursues his passion for drama and singing. When she was younger, his mother aspired to be an actress, but back then, her father quashed her dreams because times were hard and he didn't believe in her.

Now, Ernesto says, his grandfather regrets not supporting her interest in drama and has been positive about Ernesto's acting ambitions. ``He told me to do what makes me happy, that I should go for it,'' Ernesto says.

The teen plans to attend Cañada College in the fall to improve his language skills, and he would like to explore a career as a teacher or psychiatrist, but his true passion is drama. At New Perspectives, a youth development center based in East Palo Alto, Gary Whitehouse, one of the coordinators, recalls a particularly memorable performance where Ernesto lip-synced Madonna's ``Like a Virgin.''

Ernesto has acted in school plays, studied drama in school and written plays for his church, but he doesn't have the means to pursue formal training. He dreams of immersing himself in the craft by participating in San Jose Children's Musical Theater's upcoming summer production of ``Miss Saigon.''

But he could use some help with the costs. A bus pass would get him to rehearsals and performances ($52.50 per month) (14A). There's an enrollment fee ($110) (14B) for each cast member, plus costumes ($75-$200) (14C) and a makeup kit ($35) (14D). Tickets to the show ($18 each) (14E) would make sure his family is there to cheer him on.