I started performing: My parents started a singing/dancing group called The New Dawn Singers Inc. in 1966 that toured all over the U.S. When I was young, I’d copy all they did. In 1992, I started performing with them and I quickly became the lead choreographer and costumer. 

Some of my favorite roles: At Walt Disney World, I was in parades and the Festival of the Lion King Show at Animal Kingdom. Just recently, I was a part of the Melon Patch Players in the SpongeBob Musical as Patchy the Pirate! 

My greatest accomplishments: I took up photography as a side hobby and worked my way up to one of the top sellers worldwide through iStockphoto. I wrote and directed three Christmas cantatas. I also wrote and directed the Polar Express Train Show on the Tavares’ Golden Triangle train, recognized by the executives at Warner Brothers.

At the Lake Square Mall: Our goal is to continually attract visitors to the mall and support the local businesses. We want to create fun, entertaining events and experiences for the entire family each month that will hopefully keep people coming back again and again. 

What I love: I am an entertainer at heart, so the fact that I not only get to create the art and decor that people see in the mall, but also get to create, write and design the character experiences and scripts, brings me great joy at each event. Seeing the kids’ faces as they watch the shows and meet their favorite characters makes me feel very happy. That’s what makes me keep wanting to do more. 

Words I live by: Trust God in everything, treat people with respect and always give your best, even in the little things that people don’t see. 

Life lesson: I’ve discovered that you never really stop learning. God uses every situation you’re in, every person you meet and every job you take to teach you something new. You are who you are today because of them.

Fun fact: I’m a snack-o-holic. I also like baking and am known for my icing brownies and kettle corn.

Photos: Cindy Peterson