Fresno Famous

A local actress plans on touring fringe festivals in 2008. But first, she is showing Fresno her performance in the play, "Tale End," at the largest fringe festival in the western United States.

Renee Newlove left some audience members of the jam-packed Diana's South amazed with her performance alongside Greg Taber.

Steven Kolb, a play enthusiast, says he has seen many performances from San Francisco to Boulder, Colo. Kolb believes Newlove has the potential to be great.

"Her presence and abilities on stage were amazing," said the 33-year-old Kolb. "She just seemed so natural. The guy was good, but she was amazing. She's going to be in movies."

Newlove may seem like a natural on stage, but it wasn't until 2006 when she made her debut in an acting role. Newlove was part of both shows in the inaugural season for the Woodward Shakespeare Festival. Newlove says her acting career started with "Hero in Much Ado About Nothing."

Despite Kolb's enthusiasm about Newlove's not-yet discovered movie career. Newlove feels otherwise about screen acting.

"I'd like to try screen acting, just to see what it is like," said Newlove, the 26-year-old Clovis High graduate. "But there is nothing like a live audience."

Newlove's character in "Tale End," allow her to be submissive, scared, seductive, witty and sexy. Newlove switches demeanors with ease throughout the play.

In addition, Newlove is not about to limit herself to one type of role.

"I think I am open to try anything. I tend to have a flare for the dramatic, so naturally I am drawn more to those types of shows," said Newlove, whose acting has only been seen in Fresno. "But there's just something about comedy that is a fine tuned skill."

Newlove doesn't think of acting as her job. Newlove stated that acting is a hobby for her, and something she does because she loves it.

However, Stephanie Miller believes Newlove should make it her job.

"If she goes into acting full-time," said Miller, who has attended the Rogue Festival three years in a row. "I think she can be in television shows for sure, maybe even movies."

In 2008 when Newlove takes "Tale End" on the road, she may have to reanalyze if acting is just a hobby.

Newlove says it will be an adventure to act outside of Fresno.

But for now, Newlove will continue performing "Tale End" until March 10th at Diana's South. Newlove describes the play as the conversation between Snow White and the hunter that Disney didn't want us to see.

"We have it all," said former Fresno City College student Newlove. "Sex, violence, witty dialogue and the threat of nudity."