Teacher Aaron Braxton does his 'Homework' for show

"I'm passionate about education and community involvement in education," says Aaron Braxton.

In his high school yearbook, Aaron Braxton predicted the three things he intended to do with his life: actor, writer and teacher.

Juggling all three has been a challenge at times, but not impossible.

"I'm passionate about education and community involvement in education," says Aaron Braxton.

This weekend, Braxton performs his one-man show "Did You Do Your Homework?" as part of Playhouse on the Square's Solo Works series at TheatreWorks. Braxton draws from his experiences as a middle school math and science teacher in Los Angeles.

His performance made its debut last year at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. After positive reviews and a huge following, his one-weekend run stretched to nine months.

Q: Like some of the other shows in the Solo Works series, yours is based on real-life experiences.

A: It's a natural subject for me. I can't write about the leaves on the trees, but I can write about education. I'm passionate about education and community involvement in education. I started out writing it as a play that I'd narrate and then hire four other actors to play the kids. But when I was at home writing, I couldn't find adult actors to play middle school kids. I was reading all the parts out loud and said: "Wait a minute, I can do this!" So that's what it became.

Q: You teach middle school, and you've also had tons of small parts in television shows (among them, "ER," "NYPD Blue," and "90210"). How do you shift from public school to Hollywood?

A: When I first moved to L.A., my career went on an upward swing. I did "Days of Our Lives," "General Hospital." Then movie stars started doing television and everybody dropped down a notch.

Once I auditioned for a one-word part on "The X-Files" or something. I had to say the word "Doctor." I believe I'm a more capable actor than what the industry was allowing me to play. This show exercises every bit of talent I have.

I taught middle school for 13 years, and fortunately, I taught at a performing arts magnet school, so they encouraged us to pursue our ambitions. But there were times I'd be on the set or something and I'd be calling the school on my break to make sure everything was fine. Last year, I taught the whole school year, and with the show running for nine months, it was getting difficult, so I've recently gone to substitute teaching status, which lets me work on my show.

Q: You're also an author. In 2002, you wrote a book called "Did You Do Your Homework? Is Not Enough!: Seven Motivational Principles for the Comprehensive Success of Parent and Child..."

A: My mom is a teacher, and one day we were having a conversation about how some parents tell me they don't know what to do with their kids. I wanted to give parents some principles of keeping kids interested and motivated. One of those principles is "You are not your child's friend." You are the guide.

Q: Why do the book and the play have the same title?

A: "Did You Do Your Homework?" means different things to me. Teachers need to take the time to learn the background of their students. And parents need to get to know their child's teachers. It all ties in to a community doing its homework about education.

Solo Works

Playhouse on the Square's Solo Works series begins a new season this month with three different shows — one new work and two encore performances from last season:

— "Did You Do Your Homework" by Aaron Braxton. The show follows a substitute teacher on his journey through urban schools. Tonight through Sunday.

— "Driving the Saudis" by Jayne Amelia Larson. Her show recounts her real-life experience as a chauffeur for the Saudi royal family during a visit to Beverly Hills. Jan. 14-24.

— "Project Paul" plus a new work by Jonathon Roberts. In this experimental, multi-media performance, Roberts explores the life of the apostle Paul. In addition, Roberts' wife, Emily Roberts, performs her solo piece based on the Book of Esther. Jan. 28-31.

All shows are 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays at TheatreWorks, 2085 Monroe. Tickets are $20. Call 726-4656.

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