Central Parker Page 2
Digest: Which cast member did you meet first?
Hazen: I actually heard Michael Park [Jack] singing as he walked down the hall in a sort of opera voice. I said, “Hi, Dad.” He said, “Hi, son.” That was how we met. Right from there, we’ve been sort of best friends. He’s like a big little kid. We play Xbox together and stuff like that in his room when I’m done with my homework. He’s just been great to hang out with and a great mentor on the show. He’s showing me the ins and outs of everything, explaining who people are. And he was the first person that I really had serious scenes with.Digest: He’s kind of got the dream dressing room.
Hazen: Yes, he does. He’s got the greatest room ever.Digest: How often do you work?
Hazen: Two to three times a week. This is my week off. I’ve gotten six or seven days off, so it’s my relaxation time. I get to hang out with my friends, stuff like that.Digest: But you still have to go to school.
Hazen: Oh, yeah!Digest: How does that work when you’re at the studio?
Hazen: My school’s really good about it. They give me the work, I get the work done. When I did PLAINSONG, my school sent a big box of homework every two weeks, and I ended up finishing all my work about a week before school ended. Digest: And I understand you’re doing really well, so that must encourage your parents to let you continue this.
Hazen: Yeah, I wouldn’t be able to if I wasn’t doing well in school.Digest: You also play tennis, right?
Hazen: I play tournament-level tennis. That’s something I started doing when I was about 3 years old.Digest: Have you had to decide between tennis and acting?
Hazen: It’s been working out. Lately, it’s been a little hard; I’ve had to do make-up clinics. I want to be an actor when I grow up. So far — I mean, that might change, but that’s what I want to do right now. But I want to play tennis in college, so I’m really working out for that. I’m pushing myself. Digest: Being a child actor is something that you really have to be committed to.
Hazen: You do because you’ve got homework, I’ve got tennis, I’m on the basketball team and I’ve got to learn lines. So you’ve got to balance it out so that everything gets done and done well.Digest: You really have to want it.
Hazen: Yeah, there’s no question because if you don’t want to do it, you’ll fall behind in two seconds.
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