The Three 'Raynells' of AUGUST WILSON'S FENCES!

Three youth actors make their OCP debut playing the role of 'Raynell' in August Wilson's Fences. We spoke to youth actors Anavie Lyons, Hope Haddad and Brooklyn Montegut after their Tech Sunday rehearsal about the role and what their theatre experience has been like thus far!

Hi my name is Anavie, and I’m playing Raynell! 
My name’s Hope, and I’m Raynell! 
My name is Brooklyn and I’m playing Raynell!

Interviewer: Hello! Thank you for taking some time to chat with me. Ok, first question: Is this your first show/theater performance?

• Anavie Lyons: This is my first show but, I’ve done other shows at some other places.
  
• Hope Haddad: It is my first show but not my first theatre performance!
  
• Brooklyn Montegut: I've done a show at the Rose Theatre, and I’m still practicing for Frozen Kids at my school. We’re doing the first movie of Frozen. I am the Housekeeper and I’m part of the Snow Chorus, it’s a musical!
• Interviewer: It's a musical! Love that. That's awesome!

·     It’s opening week! You guys will be on stage really soon, are you excited, are you nervous?
How are you feeling?

• Anavie Lyons: I’m, excited and nervous.
• Hope Haddad: I’m excited and nervous, so… excited-nervous!
• Brooklyn Montegut: Kind of a little in the mix, nervous and excited.
  
• Interviewer: Okay! You guys are going to do great, no worries.

·     Ok so you play Raynell… What is she like? …Is she shy, is she bold? Cool? Is she happy and confident, what do you think?

• Anavie Lyons: She’s brave, she kind to everyone, and she asks questions.
  
• Hope Haddad: She’s kind. She definitely wants to help others, and when other people feel sad, she helps them!
  
• Brooklyn Montegut: She’s like confident and bold.
  Interviewer: That's really good: she's confident and she asks questions, that's important.

What is your favorite part about playing Raynell?

• Anavie Lyons: When I hold the phone and I call for her [Rose], and I tell her to come in!
• Hope Haddad: My favorite part is like, when I get to talk on the phone, and then I say my line and I get to hold the phone!
• Brooklyn Montegut: I don’t really have a favorite part; I like the whole thing!

What have you been doing to help yourself remember all your lines & remember where you’re supposed to go?

• Anavie Lyons: I practice at home, and I watch people to do it.
• Hope Haddad: I've been practicing and, I just watch the other people.
• Brooklyn Montegut: I practice a little bit, and I don't really do anything, I just kinda know!
• Interviewer: You just kinda know... you're just that good! That's great!

What has been your favorite part about being in this show so far??

• Anavie Lyons: Rehearsal, going back and forth in the house, (the house on stage,) and putting those microphones on.
• Hope Haddad: My favorite part has been, I have two: being in rehearsal, and going in and out of the house and putting those [mic packs] on!
• Brooklyn Montegut: I really like using props, and I also like just to go to the break room to eat!
• Interviewer: Going in the break room to eat, that's one of my favorite parts too.

Alrighty, if you could be in ANY SHOW you wanted on stage, your DREAM show, what would it be?

• Anavie Lyons: In The Heights!
• Interviewer: In The Heights! That's coming, did you know that? Anavie Lyons: Yea!
• Hope Haddad: Mine would be like someone who stands up for everyone, and even though people are mean to her she still never gives up.
• Brooklyn Montegut: I kind of have four... two connect: one is The Thundermans, the other one is The Little Mermaid, the new one that's coming out! And then there's Henry Danger and the other one that connects to it is The Danger.
• Interviewer: Okay all four of those shows. That'd be awesome, I'd love to see that happen!

Ok last question, guys! Do you think you will audition for more shows in the future?

• Anavie Lyons: Yes! I will!
• Hope Haddad: Um yes! I definitely will.
• Brooklyn Montegut: I already have! 
• Interviewer: You already have! Ok you're ahead of the game, that's great! Well thank you guys so much for speaking with me, and good luck on your performances and your opening night... You will all be amazing.