Cape student builds acting career with "Cursed" appearance

Growing up, Aaron Latta-Morissette couldn't stand theater.

It seemed so over the top and over dramatic, he thought.

As he began to think about what he wanted to be when he grew up, he often based that decision on the television show he was watching. When he was watching "House," he wanted to be a doctor. After watching "Suits," he wanted to be a lawyer.

Then he had a change of heart.

As he entered eighth grade, he decided he wanted to be a neurologist. In a science class, he was cutting open a pig in class and his first thought was that it was gross. He then realized he hated every science class he had ever taken.

"It wasn't making any sense," he said.

As he was about to turn 14, he was in the car with his mother and she asked about what he wanted to be when he grew up. The first thing he thought of was an actor, but he wasn't sure how realistic that was.

After some encouragement from his parents, he began pursuing his new ambition by performing in school plays. Soon after, he fell in love with it, crediting school theater director Martha Pfeiffer for showing him the fundamentals of acting.

"I guess I was afraid of what I didn't understand," he said.

As a sophomore in high school, he got a manager and began pursuing roles outside of school.

A few weeks ago, Latta-Morissette, who is now a senior, had a role in an episode of "Cursed" on A&E. He is also in a commercial in Finland for skateboarding clothes. Looking ahead, he has roles in two movies, "Road Rage" and "Miles," both of which are expected to hit theaters in 2016.

"I’m really excited to go to the theater and be able to watch myself where I go to see movies every week," he said. "That will be cool."

After graduation, Latta-Morissette plans to attend the New York Film Academy to perfect his craft. The day after he auditioned with the school he received a call and was offered their highest talent-based scholarship.

When he recently saw "Creed" in theaters, something in his mind clicked.

"They were talking about how he wanted to fight, but he wasn't ready," he said. "I thought maybe I’m not star-struck famous because I’m not ready yet. I want to be perfect at what I do so I’m not a teen star who is washed out by his 20s. This is my life and my passion, and I want to stay with it."

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