Young Actress Gets Set For First Big Role

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Emma O'Neill-Dietel, 11, of South Philadelphia began taking acting classes at Walking Fish Theatre in Fishtown to get out of her shell. It worked and she will star in her first major role on December 11 as Ebenezer Scrooge in A Fractured Christmas Carol.

"I have to be sort of mean and nasty at first, which is not my personality at all. Eventually I wind up as a very happy person who likes everyone and everything, which is exactly my personality."

Emma is hearing impaired but shrugs if off. She said she'll know her role so well she won't need cues. 

B.Someday productions at Walking Fish just received a Barrymore award for its children's programs.

Reported by: Karin Phillips, KYW Newsradio

For more information go to walkingfishtheatre.com

Listen to Karin's full interview with Emma...