In Part 5 of a series of interviews with the cast and director of To Kill a Mockingbird at Rockville Little Theatre, meet Sydney Lauricella-Reed.
Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you perform on local stages.
My name is Sydney Lauricella-Reed and I am fourteen years old. I have preformed in showings of Yes Virginia and Fiddler on the Roof with Washingtonian Youth for Performing Arts.
Why did you want to appear in this production of To Kill a Mockingbird?
I had watched the movie and really enjoyed the plot and emotion portrayed by the actors and actresses and once I heard about the audition I knew that To Kill a Mockingbird was something I wanted to be part of.
Who do you play in the show and how do you personally relate to your character?
I play Scout and personally I think I relate to her because she is a very curious girl who always wants to have answers, no matter what the situation is. Along with being curious Scout loves her family very much and I love my family just as much.
What is To Kill a Mockingbird about from the point of view of your character?
The story is told from my older-self’s point of view. From my characters point of view the story is about growing up and learning important pieces about the society that my character lives in.
What scene or scenes were the most difficult to learn and why?
I had difficulty learning the scene with the mad dog because there was so much moving around that had to happen and it got a little bit confusing. Another scene was the fight scene. I had trouble learning this one because everything had to be timed perfectly and if it wasn’t people could miss a cue.
Which scene or scenes moves you the most? And why?
The last scene of the show definitely moves me the most because it shows just how much Atticus cares for his children and the very loving relationship between a father and a daughter.
Why is this show relevant for today’s theatregoers?
This show is relevant because it is a very important piece of America. It may not be exactly how things went in the 1930’s but it is a wonderful example of how far we have progressed as a country, and I believe that is important for everyone not just theatergoers.
What have you learned about yourself as a person and an actor while learning and rehearsing your role?
I have learned that acting isn’t just standing on a stage talking; it’s more than that. By learning about my character I realized that I could dig deep into myself and pull out emotions or new ways to think about things.
What was the best advice your director gave you on preparing and playing your character?
The best advice I got was when the director told me to just forget about being an actress and to just be Scout. She told me “Don’t be Sydney. Just be Scout.” I thought that was the best advice because it told me that she believed in me and knew that I could fully embody Scout.
For those people who love the film, what is different about the stage version and why should they come see it live on the stage?
The stage version is close to the film but with a few changes. It is shorter and cuts out some little details. Seeing this show on the stage gives both the book and the movie a new light and a new interpretation that I think is important for others to see.
What do you want audiences to take with them after seeing you perform in To Kill a Mockingbird?
I want audience members to understand that the events that happened in the story show something very real and very much alive in the history of America. Also I want the audience to know that it doesn’t matter how young you are while playing a part as long as you can make other people feel what your character is feeling.
To Kill a Mockingbird plays from April 24 to May 3, 2015 at Rockville Little Theatre performing at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre at The Rockville Civic Center- 603 Edmonston Drive, in Rockville MD. For tickets, call the box office at (240) 314-8690, or purchase them online.
LINKS
Meet the Cast of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at Rockville Little Theatre: Part 1: Nancy Lark.
Meet the Cast of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at Rockville Little Theatre: Part 2: Kieran Duffy.
Meet the Cast of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at Rockville Little Theatre: Part 3: Stuart Rick.
Meet the Cast of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at Rockville Little Theatre: Part 4: Kevin Page.
Meet the Cast of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at Rockville Little Theatre: Part 5: Sydney Lauricella-Reed.
