AT 16, ALISSA ANDEREGG of Danville is already a seasoned performer and pageant contestant. She has performed in more than 30 musical theater productions, spent three years as an "American Girl" in Los Angeles, and just competed for the third time in the Miss California's Outstanding Teen scholarship pageant.
For the second time, Alissa was named first runner-up at the competition — this year's event was held July 9 in Fresno. The pageant is the "little sister" program to Miss America.
"I've already won over $1,500 in scholarships," she said. Her path to the pageant went through San Jose, where she won her crown as "San Jose's Outstanding Teen" even though she is a Danville resident.
"San Jose is an open title," she said, "and since there's no Miss Contra Costa County or Miss Danville, I competed there."
For the talent portion of the contest, Alissa sang "Journey to the Past," from "Anastasia."
"When I was little, I always loved the movie — the story and the songs," she said.
Community service is another part of the Miss America program, and Alissa has put in more than 300 volunteer hours with various organizations through the National Charity League's Rolling Hills and San Marino chapters. Her favorite project is Alzheimer's Awareness.
Her grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's some years ago, Alissa said.
"It's really heartbreaking. She can't speak or eat by herself anymore and it's really, really sad. It's definitely something that affects all different age levels, directly or indirectly." Alissa was featured in the :Alzheimer's Project", an Emmy-winning HBO documentary, has participated in Memory Walks, and was a performer at the Alzheimer's Association's "Night at Sardi's" in Los Angeles which raised over $1 million to fight the disease.
She spent three years in Los Angeles acting in the American Girls Revue, inspired by American Girl dolls. She played Molly (a doll with glasses from the 1940's), Kit (a doll who lived during the Great Depression) and Kirsten (a pioneer doll)...
Burnham, D'Ambrosio, Baker, Anderegg, & Samuels Lead Sing For Your Supper Benefit 10/11
Franc D'Ambrosio, David Burnham, Tielle Baker and Alissa Anderegg will take part in Sing For Your Supper on October 11. The event will be hosted by award-winning cabaret and theatre performer, Samantha Samuels...
David Burnham, Fran D'Ambrosio, et al Set For Sing For Your Supper
David Burnham, Fran D'Ambrosio, Tielle Baker, Alissa Anderegg, and Samantha Samuels will take part in Sing For Your Supper, a cabaret concert benefit for for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano...
HBO's Alzheimer's Project Explores the Disease
Alzheimer's Disease doesn't leap to mind as a subject likely to draw many TV viewers, much less draw them for a four-part series. But it's tough to turn away from HBO's exhaustive and bracing look at the illness through the lives of people enduring it and the scientific breakthroughs that could change everything...HBO sees the series as a sort of privately funded public health campaign. To reach the estimated 150 Americans whose lives are touched by Alzheimer's, HBO is distributing the series in unprecedented ways...
Today the Times Alessandra Stanley reviews "The Alzheimer's Project", a new four-part documentary series to begin on Sunday on HBO. The series, made with the assistance of the National Institute on Aging, suggests the breakthroughs in prevention and treatment are not far away...
In this strong ensemble, James Larsen stands out as the opportunistic reporter, Britt Craig, as do Michael Hovance...and Alissa Anderegg as poor Mary Phagan...
Mary Phagan (lovely 9th grader Alissa Anderegg)...Anyone who loves the art form that is the American Musical owes it to him/herself to drive to Palos Verdes (the ocean view from the cliffs alone is worth making the trip) to see this landmark show, done full justice by the Neighborhood Playhouse's absolutely heartrending and breathtaking production...
Alissa Anderegg, Craig D'Amico, and Emily Olson will star in the L.A. premiere of Jason Robert Brown and Alfred Uhry's award-winning musical, Parade, to be presented at the Neighborhood Playhouse July 10-27...
We all know how Alzheimer's disease affects entire families, and we were blessed to have incredible entertainment from 13 year old, Alissa Anderegg, whose grandmother is diagnosed. Alissa was spectacular...so poised and beautiful as she sang show tunes and led the group in a sing-a-long...
Not only will you be able to take part in some of the best entertainment in town, but you will be able to rub elbows with some of the most powerful names in Broadway, Television, and Hollywood. With the exception of awards shows, one would be pressed to find more talent and industry influences in one room...
Local music and dance experience has led 11 year old Alissa Anderegg to a longterm engagement in Los Angeles. She is rehearsing songs and dances five days a week, for an April opening of the American Girls Revue. The musical, by Broadway playwrights Gretchen Cryer and Nancy Ford, will run at the American Girl Place Theatre.
The show is based on a group of contemporary girls who play the parts of the American Girl doll characters. Alissa's character, Becky, plays the part of Molly who is a "Victory Sister". The role gave her a chance to learn about that period, Anderegg said.
"There are seven girls, all about my age, who like the same things. It is really, really fun," Anderegg said, "I expect to be in the show about a year."
A veteran of more than 15 regional productions, Alissa performed with Center REP, the Willows Theatre, Woodminster Amphitheater, Diablo Light Opera Company, Contra Costa Musical Theatre, Town Hall, Douglas-Morrison, and Hillbarn theatres before accepting the L.A. role.
I was charmed by the Willows version, especially the chemistry between Alissa Anderegg...and Stephen Klum (Daddy Warbucks)...Generally I find child actors cloying to the point of annoyance but Anderegg had none of those kid-actor tricks that do to theater what pebbles do to your feet. The girl simply played Annie as a plucky, 11 year old orphan and let the songs and script carry her through. The result was incredible- without any artificial sweetener, Anderegg was one of the most endearing Annies I have ever seen.