Local student Patrick Donovan’s new film is released

Seventeen-year-old Patrick Ethan Donovan of Waterford and a senior at Loudoun School for Advanced Studies, is on Vimeo starring as Huck Finn in the James Franko production of Thomasina Sawyer. The film can be seen at vimeo.com/ondemand/thomasina/462019034.

The film is a modern remake of the classic Mark Twain tale, featuring Shay Rudolph as the principal Thomasina. When Thomasina and Huck Finn witness a murder, they initially swear an oath of secrecy out of fear of reprisal. However, when they see that an innocent black man is about to be convicted, they put their fears aside and stand up to do the right thing, even though the killer is now focusing his ire on them.

No stranger to stage or camera, Donovan has been acting since age six, when he was the fairy Mustardseed in Not Just Shakespeare’s production of Midsummer Night’s Dream.  Donovan received his first professional recognition, when at age nine he was selected as an overall winner at the Barbizon 2012 competition. 

After that, he garnered several gigs on Investigation Discovery, where he played both twins on Evil Twin, and has appeared on Bill Maher Live in Washington, D.C.

He has performed with Fauquier Community Theatre, Sterling Playmakers, The Castaways Repertory Theatre, and Loudoun Central Theater. Shortly after playing Puck in Midsummer Night’s Dream, at the age of 11, he was selected for a best actor award by D.C. Metro Theatre Arts Best of List for 2014.

Los Angeles presented many more opportunities in television and film, so Donovan and his family have logged several years there, seeking more opportunities. Having done a few movies, lots of theater, and several television pilots in Los Angeles, Donovan has come home to focus on his academics and local theater. He still swordfights with Sterling Swordplayers, and is active in community theater, and auditions regularly for professional opportunities.

Donovan is grateful for all the opportunities he has had over the years. “I have lived an entire life and yet have an entire life yet to live,” he said.  One thing for sure, he is happy to be able to spend more time with his dog Tucker, and the family cats, now that he is back home.