As the lights dim at the historic Uptown Theater in Grand Prairie this coming Saturday, eighth-grader Reece Turley will step into the spotlight as part of the Dallas-Fort Worth premiere of the faith-based film, \u201cLearning You.\u201d<\/p>\n
Presented by the Grand Prairie Arts Council, the 7 p.m. screening will bring the award-nominated film to North Texas following its theatrical release in January. \u201cLearning You\u201d has been named an Official Finalist for Best Actor and Best Director at the International Christian Visual Media.<\/p>\n
Turley \u2013 an eighth-grader at Williams Middle School \u2013 portrays Young Elijah in the film, which centers on Ty Smith, an architect who takes an impromptu Christmas road trip with his autistic son. After a difficult holiday season and years removed from the end of his marriage, Ty faces a decision: relinquish custody of his son or work toward rebuilding their relationship. Along the way, he receives guidance from an imaginary, life-sized version of Elijah\u2019s stuffed bear, Nook. The journey also intersects with a billionaire developer raising an autistic son of his own.<\/p>\n
The film addresses themes of autism awareness, family love, faith and caregiving. All filmmaker proceeds benefit ACT, an organization that supports families of children with special needs.<\/p>\n
For Rockwall residents, Turley\u2019s growing r\u00e9sum\u00e9 offers a reminder that young talent from the area has reached national \u2013 even international \u2013 stages before, most recently with Rockwall native Jaxon Smith-Njigba helping lead the Seattle Seahawks on football\u2019s biggest stage.<\/p>\n
Turley\u2019s stage is certainly different but the trajectory \u2013 a local student pursuing his craft with an eye on larger platforms \u2013 carries a similar sense of possibility. While athletics and acting require different skills, both demand discipline, preparation and the willingness to perform under pressure.<\/p>\n
For a middle school student balancing scripts with schoolwork, the long-term goal is simply continued growth in the industry, one project at a time.<\/p>\n
\u201cLearning You\u201d premiered in November in Corydon, Indiana, near Louisville, Kentucky, where it was filmed. It is currently showing in select theaters, including Mineola and Caddo, Oklahoma, with the possibility of additional DFW-area screenings depending on audience response.<\/p>\n
In addition to his role in \u201cLearning You,\u201d Turley recently filmed a comedy for Apple TV+ that\u2019s set for release later this year. Details about that project remain limited due to a nondisclosure agreement but it marks his largest screen role to date.<\/p>\n
Turley began acting three years ago \u2013 landing his first major role on stage as Aladdin at the Rockwall Community Playhouse. In 2023, the Rockwall County Herald-Banner profiled his early stage work, and he has continued to build his r\u00e9sum\u00e9 in theater, film and television.<\/p>\n
Outside of acting, Turley participates in his school\u2019s gifted SAGE program, competes on the A Team in gymnastics and performs in the Chamber Orchestra. He earned second chair in the all-region orchestra and also plays with the adult orchestra at First Baptist Church Rockwall. He sings and plays electric guitar as well.<\/p>\n
Next Saturday\u2019s Grand Prairie premiere offers local audiences a chance to view the film in North Texas and meet one of its young cast members \u2013 a Rockwall student whose ambitions \u2013 like others before him \u2013 extend beyond city limits.<\/p>\n