Kiana Smith is following in her mother's foot steps.
The 10-year-old has taken the stage this summer playing the youngest von Trapp daughter Gretl in Bard to Broadway's Sound of Music in Qualicum Beach.
The role was played 30 years ago by her mother, Trish Smith, at the same age, in a Nanaimo Theatre Group production.
In fact, in the 1976 production Smith's father Norm Jones did the lighting and her mother Rita Jones was onstage in the chorus.
"The Sound of Music was my first experience with theatre at 10 and I loved it so much I kept doing it with the Nanaimo Theatre Group and then as an adult with the Victoria Operatic Society," Trish said, adding that her parents who have since passed away would be very proud if they saw the show.
When asked if she had advice for her daughter, Trish replied with a laugh.
"She doesn't listen to me anyway," she said. "I gave her my tapes and told her to listen to our production, but she hasn't listened to them yet. I've given her advice here and there. Whether she's taken it is another question."
Kiana has done 23 performances of the Sound of Music this summer. The show runs Aug. 31, Sept. 1 and 2. Kiana said with a smile she's enjoyed every show. Her character is five-years-old. Bard to Broadway's
performance is directed by Eileen Butts and accompanied by the B2B orchestra.
"It's a lot of fun," Kiana said, giggling. "Everything you do, everyone thinks it's cute. It's kind of fun being the youngest person in the show. I don't really find it work, I just find it fun."
Being on stage is nothing new for Kiana. She dances nine times a week at Kirkwood Academy and appeared in their productions of Annie and the Nutcracker and Noah's Ark with Kathy's Music Box. She's also taken singing lessons, which helped her in the musical Sound of Music.
"I actually wasn't nervous," Kiana said, of performing in front of the large crowds in Qualicum Beach each night. "I don't know why, I just wasn't. It was fun."
And it's been a great learning experience, she added. As the youngest cast member, she's learned a lot from her older, more experienced cast mates.
"I like meeting all the cast and getting so close to them and having a lot of fun with them," she said.
"It was the best part of my summer. I wish it was seven days a week and never ending."
The family affair continues with this winter's production of the Nutcracker by Kirkwood Academy. Trish will be working backstage while her husband and daughter take the stage.
Tickets for the show are available by phone at 250-752-6813 or at www.b2btheatre.bc.ca.
The box office is located at 124 Fern Rd. West, Qualicum Beach and is open 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily. All shows are at 8 pm.