The Old Ship Is Going Down . . . Again

The Titanic, that fabled ship that sank April 15, 1912, is the subject of a massive exhibit through Sept. 1 at the California Science Center. “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit” displays personal possessions of the passengers and crew, a re-created grand staircase, a giant wall of ice and a huge piece of the ship’s hull. Visitors receive boarding passes with the name of a real Titanic passenger and find out near the end of the tour whether they survived. For a realistic touch, professional actors are on hand to portray historic figures from the fateful voyage. We asked a few thespians what went down with the Titanic:

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Anna Cook

Actor/singer, 23

Los Angeles

Passenger: Nora Keane

Tell us about your character.

She ran the Union hotel in Harrisburg, Pa. She went back to Ireland to care for her mother and then came back on the Titanic. She survived.

Strangest question you’ve had during this gig?

“Are you Rose from the movie?” I don’t think I look like Kate Winslet at all.

Tell us some Titanic trivia.

My character had a premonition that the ship was doomed.

What era would you like to live in?

I see myself in the 1800s and in the clothes. Well, the corset looks nice but it doesn’t feel nice.

Had any harrowing adventures at sea?

We were walking on the beach and I saw dolphins. I’ve always wanted to [swim] with them. I had on a burlap under-dress. There was a heavy undertow. I tried to float and tread water, and finally made it back. It was the stupidest thing I ever did.

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D. Hunter White

Actor, 27

Granada Hills

Passenger: Joseph Laroche

Tell us about your character.

I’m originally from Haiti. People think I’m a crew member but I am a passenger in second class.

Strangest question you’ve had during this gig?

I’ve had positive comments like, “I didn’t know any of us black people were on the Titanic as passengers.”

Tell us some Titanic trivia.

Many types of different animals were on the ship, like dogs and chickens.

What era would you like to live in?

Historically, people of my ethnicity didn’t prosper, but it’s continuing to get better. I think I’d like to live in the future. Like on “Star Trek,” with people and species working together.

Had any harrowing adventures at sea?

I was on a boogie board and got carried out by a riptide. I was waving at my family and they were waving back!

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Mike Disch

Actor, 51

Santa Monica

Character: Capt. Edward John Smith, RNR (Royal Naval Reserve) and RD (Reserve Decoration)

Tell us about your character.

Born Jan 27, 1850, in Hanley, England. From age 12 to 17 he worked in a forge. He went to Liverpool, where his half-brother was the captain of an American cargo ship and signed on. He worked his way up to become commodore of the White Star Line. He was possibly the most respected captain at the time.

Tell us some Titanic trivia.

We have electric lighting throughout the ship. People at that time would have noticed because it was uncommon. Most homes didn’t have electricity.

What era would you like to live in?

In the future, when things like war and poverty and other evils are eliminated.

Had any harrowing adventures at sea?

When I was an Explorer Scout, we spent a weekend on the USS Lexington and the USS Bennington. I got lost on one of the carriers.

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Linda Weinrib

Actor, 38

Los Angeles

Passenger: Margaret Tobin Brown, a.k.a. Unsinkable “Molly” Brown

Tell us about your character.

She came from a poor family. Her husband became wealthy. She did charity work and started the juvenile justice system. She didn’t fit in with the first-class passengers. Her goal is to have fun, be good to others and have lots of money.

Is anything truly “unsinkable”?

My ability to see the world through a child’s eyes. Staying young. I have two children and I love pretending and seeing things that children see. Strangest question you’ve had during this gig?

“Do you know you’re dead?”

Tell us some Titanic trivia.

They really didn’t know where Molly Brown’s cabin was. She booked late. Her daughter was the only one who knew that she was on the boat.

What era would you like to live in?

1912. People were gracious. It was the time of the Industrial Revolution and women wanted equal rights.

Had any harrowing adventures at sea?

Ever since the movie “Jaws,” I’ve been afraid of it.