In Part Two of a series of interviews with the cast of Wolf Pack Theatre Company’s production of Masquerade, meet Alie Kamara (Kyle).
Joel: Where have theatregoers seen you perform on the stage?
Alie: At Prince Georges Community College and the Greenbelt Art Center.
Why did you want to become involved in Masquerade?
I was intrigued by the whole concept, of no one ever hears the family’s side of the story, when suicide has occurred. The story was very interesting to me. I completely fell in love with the character Kyle and felt I could capture his spirit.
What personal experiences do you bring with you that have helped shape your performance?
Well my own personal experiences with depression and confusion as a rebellious young man helped me understand Kyle’s motives and his story. I think were both torched souls, with a unique passion that hides beneath us.
What have you learned about suicide and how it affects families since you started working on Masquerade?
I have learned that suicide is somewhat like a cancer. You’ve got to detect the symptoms earlier, because once it’s spread all it’s difficult to beat. I strongly believe that a lot of people have contemplated suicide at one time or another; help can come in the form of guidance from a loved one, a counselor, or spiritual being (God). If no one knows about your personal demons it starts to get unbearable to handle the thoughts; until one day you feel the only way to stop the demons is by committing one of the most harmful acts in human nature, which is suicide. The affects it can have on a family may include guilt or shame or it may also cause them to fall apart because of the hurt and confusion as you might see our family go through in Masquerade.
Introduce us to your character and what do you admire and not admire most about him.
My character is Kyle; he is the son of Steven and Janet, and the brother of Kevin (deceased), and Kelli. Kyle carries the burden of Kevin’s death on his shoulders and is hiding secrets from his family, Kyle is adopted and at times this makes him feel unwanted and alone. I admire his passion and creativity as an artist and he’s a passionate person who paints the world as he sees it. Although he is combative he is still very rich and soulful.
The one thing I don’t admire about Kyle is his disdain he has for his father. Kyle has no respect for his father because he felt his father never understood him and Kelli (sister) as individuals. I just always think children should give their parents full respect as having been responsible for them since birth because that’s a big price to pay.
What was the best advice your director William Leary gave you on how to play your character?
Don’t get mired in the emotion; let the emotions drive your character and don’t lose the intensity. Among Kyle’s many talents and attributes, he is also a unique storyteller. My director, William Leary, told me to tell the STORY!!
What is the hardest scene for you to perform and to watch and why?
Everything!! (kidding), but the most difficult scene for me is the part where Kyle tells everyone what happened in Key West with Kevin; it’s very emotional and tough to portray! It gives me chance to be honest and open with my family. The hardest scene for me to watch is the scene where my mother discusses the labor pains and delivery she had with Kevin. This is very difficult for me because it hits close to the heart and I’m (Kyle) a mommy’s boy, so seeing her upset gets me every time.
What do you want audiences to take with them after seeing Masquerade?
Not being afraid to take the mask off and let the world know who you really are. Let someone know when you’re going through hard times. We need to let a lot of the stuff we keep inside ourselves out. It like having a bottle of soda shaken up; when you don’t release the pressure, it builds up and can explode. As humans, we have to be able to let the pressure out!
Masquerade will be performed on September 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, and 27, 2014 at 8 PM at Wolf Pack Theatre Company performing at Charis Center for the Arts – 13010 8th Street, in Bowie MD. For tickets reservations call (240) 271-5471, or email [email protected].
LINK
Meet the Cast of ‘Masquerade’: Part 1: Kelly Richards (Diana) by Joel Markowitz.
https://vimeo.com/103210231