In Part 3 of a series of interviews with the cast of August: Osage County at The Highwood Theatre, meet Layla Edwards.
Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you perform on the stage before.
Hi, I’m Layla Edwards. I’m 13 and I’m in the 8th grade. You may have seen me in the previous Highwood shows, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Damn Yankees, Twelfth Night, and Stuff Happens.
Why did you want to be in this production of August: Osage County?
I wanted to be in this show because I like the Highwood community. Everyone is really cool, and our director, Kevin is so great and understanding.
Who do you play in the show, and how do you relate to your character. What do you admire about your character and what do you not admire?
In the show, I play Mattie Fae, Violet’s sister. I relate to Mattie Fae because she cares about her family’s welfare. I admire her courage and the fact that she says what’s on her mind. However, I don’t admire the way she treats her son, Little Charles.
What have you learned about mental illness while working with the Active Minds organization that you didn’t know before and how has this experience given you more insight into the character you are playing?
I learned more about mental illnesses and the effects of mental illnesses. This helped me figure out how Mattie Fae would handle Violet.
How has this Highwood Theatre experience changed your life and made you a better person and actor?
I learned more about mental illnesses and the effects of mental illnesses. This helped me figure out how Mattie Fae would handle Violet.
August: Osage County is a long play. Any tricks or methods or advice on learning so many lines that you can share with other actors who are about to learn their lines in another production of this play?
LEARN YOUR LINES AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE!
What scene or scenes were the most challenging to learn?
Scenes with lots of dialogue are usually the hardest for me to memorize. When there’s a scene with a lot of people talking all at once, or lots of back and forth dialogue, it can be pretty challenging.
Which character in this play is so much like you and why?
I am probably most like Jean because she is a teenage (like me) and a little aloof at family functions.
What do you want audiences to take with them after seeing you perform in August: Osage County at The Highwood Theatre?
I want the audience to hopefully take away a better understanding of mental illnesses and take them as seriously as physical illnesses.
August: Osage County plays from March 27-29, 2015 at The Highwood Theatre – 914 Silver Spring Avenue, Suite 102, in Silver Spring, MD. For tickets, purchase them at the box office, or purchase them online.
LINKS
Meet the Cast of ‘August: Osage County’ at The Highwood Theatre Part 1: Max Rome.
Meet the Cast of ‘August: Osage County’ at The Highwood Theatre Part 2: Madison Middleton.
Meet the Cast of ‘August: Osage County’ at The Highwood Theatre Part 3: Layla Edwards.
Meet the Cast of ‘August: Osage County’ at The Highwood Theatre Part 4: Eva Silverman.
Meet the Cast of ‘August: Osage County’ at The Highwood Theatre: Part 5: Shannon Leach.
Meet the Cast of ‘August: Osage County’ at The Highwood Theatre Part 6: Elena Meiman.
Meet the Cast of ‘August: Osage County’ at The Highwood Theatre Part 7: Laura Goldberg.
https://youtu.be/Zpj_b_RtHCE
