Child who is Tiny Tim for 3rd time knows true meaning of Christmas

Jaden Robinson is a little guy with a big presence.

When first auditioning for the role of Tiny Tim, Jaden’s sweet voice was strong enough to reach the back row of the Alliance Theatre — that’s no small feat for an actor of any age.

Jaden was also able to handle the British dialect fairly easily.

A natural at this role, Jaden plays Tiny Tim for the third consecutive year in "A Christmas Carol" this holiday season at the Alliance Theatre.

Jaden, who lives in the Decatur area, is a sixth-grader at the DeKalb Elementary School of the Arts. Teachers at his school encouraged Jaden to try out, and he was a standout at the auditions.

Now 12, and still small for his age (only 4 feet 2 inches tall), he brings a warmth, kindness and even depth to the role.

“Yes, his garments have been adjusted a bit to adjust to height, but mostly it is his understanding of Tim’s journey that is even more specifically communicated in his portrayal,” said Rosemary Newcott, director of “A Christmas Carol,” and also the Sally G. Tomlinson Artistic Director of Theatre for Youth and Families. “He knows the character embodies both joy and courage, and I have watched him make new connections this year. He is the child that brings light to every moment of the family gathering. Jaden never allows Tim to dwell in the negative, and that is a powerful message for anyone to receive at any age.”

Jody Feldman, casting director at the Alliance Theatre, said Tiny Tim is a particularly tough role to cast. The young actor needs to be small in stature yet be able to hold the Alliance Stage with the technical acting chops necessary to take direction and make every moment real and immediate, as though we are seeing it for the first time.

And while Jaden only needed to audition his first year, he was called back each year after to see how much he’s grown and changed to see if he is still a good fit for the show.

“A Christmas Carol,” presented for the 26th consecutive season at the Alliance Theatre, brings the heartwarming story about family, choices in life, and a stone-cold heart become warm and tender to life with holiday carols, a spectacular stage and magnificent costumes.

Returning to the cast in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge is acclaimed Atlanta actor David de Vries. De Vries' credits include the Broadway production of "Beauty and the Beast" (playing Lumiere) and the national tour of "Wicked" (playing Dr. Dillamond).

Jaden said his favorite part of the Christmas show is riding on the shoulders of the actor who plays Bob Cratchit (Neal Ghant).

“I love being a part of it and every year it’s different with new people being a part of the show,” he said. “It’s like a Christmas present to the audience.”

He said he loves the messages of the show. His favorite, he said, is “When you least expect it, something great will come.”

It’s a message with deep resonance for Jaden, who was in foster care for years before being adopted in 2010. Adrian Robinson said not long after Jaden was placed in her care, she realized they were meant to be family. She adopted him shortly thereafter.

In recent months, Robinson has been in and out of the hospital for hernia repair surgeries and other medical woes. She recently returned home and is on the mend.

When Jaden was asked what he wanted for Christmas, he spoke like a child wise beyond his years, a child who fully embodies the role of Tiny Tim.

“For Christmas, I would like a remote-control car or helicopter,” he said. “But really, I am happy with what I have. Mommy is home.”

MORE: How to avoid getting over-stressed, overwhelmed by the busy holidays.