Day of the Lotus

Theatrical coach Janet Adderley has another winner on her hands with 13-year-old Dakota Lotus, who has just landed a star role in a new Disney TV series Coop and Cami Ask The World.

Janet, who founded the Santa Barbara Youth Ensemble Theatre, is also helping coach Dakota, a Santa Barbara Middle School student, during the series shooting in Burbank.

“He has been with us since the age of five and has been in quite a number of productions, including Grease, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and Hairspray,” says Janet. “Dakota was scheduled to also be in Les Misérables, but got snatched away by Disney.

“He is a phenomenal young man and really making us proud!”

Janet’s youngsters, who also sang with warbler Katy Perry at the Kick Ash bash at hotel magnate Pat Nesbitt‘s Summerland estate in February, are also set to reprise their roles when Katy performs at the Santa Barbara Bowl on Saturday.

“They will be helping her close the show with her singing ‘Firework’,” adds Janet.