“Art is consumption, and everything that we consume is shaped by our personal experiences.”
Welcome Mya Rena Hunter:
We’re joined on the Starline by an up and coming Broadway star. She’s performed in “A Raisin’ in the Sun”, “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and now as Eponine in Les Miserables. We welcome Mya Rena Hunter.
Mya, let’s go Beyond the Mic. As a character, Eponine is a rose filled with thorns. How do you see her and how did that influence your performance of her?
How has playing her change you?
What does it feel like performing in a Tony Award winning musical seen by more than 130 million people worldwide? Is there any additional pressure on your performance? Did you sit here and say “how do I do this?”
You’ve been traveling and performing on the road. How did your time at Howard prepare you for this journey?
The Rockin’ 8:
It’s time for the Rockin’ 8, 8 random questions, answer with the first thing that comes to your mind. There is no Pressure.
1. Best memory from homecoming at Howard?
2. Favorite place to go in Houston?
3. Dress up or dress down?
4. Best Christmas gift you got growing up?
5. If you could have a themed birthday party, what theme would it be?
6. Growing up, what was the hardest grade for you?
7. Have you ever slept outdoors?
8. Are you the kind of person to start or break up a fight?
The Back Half:
What makes performing in Les Miz so powerful for you?
How has this role changed the way you see musical theatre?
Why have your perceptions of this career changed from starting out to today?
How did your audition go? Did you think you nailed it or did you think you initially bombed it?
When you got the call back tell me about the call?
Who did you call first?
How many times have your parents watch you perform?
Mya Rena Hunter on Les Miserables:
Who on this cast pushes you each day to be a better performer?
Why was this role a dream for you?
How do you put your own personal spin on the role?
If someone has never watched this show, what do you want to take from this show?
The road is lonely, on the road, who’s the one person you call the most?
How many sisters and brothers do you have?
Place you like visiting on vacation?
Out on Tour:
When you get to a new tour stop, where is the one place you always try to find?
What do you have with you, the one comfort item that keeps you grounded?
How many books do you read? Best Switch game? Favorite Pokemon?
Who is the one person that’s part of the tour that strengthens you each day?
Walk me through your warm up getting ready to play Eponine in Les Miserables?
How do you keep your zen when you are about to walk on stage?
Everyone has a dream role on Broadway, which is yours?
You’ve acted, been a stage director, what does theatre mean to you?
What does Les Miserables mean to you?
Two Big Questions:
People hate being perceived. As you grow bigger and bigger in your career people will believe plenty of things. What’s the one thing that keeps you growing and kept from being put into a box of other people’s perceptions?
From your new blog “I’m an observer, researcher and writer with this craving to speak my mind” – Which side of your family did you get you that attitude from?
What makes her such a positive and strong role model for you?
How does her seeing you on stage give you such joy?
Why should people buy their tickets to see Les Miserable National Tour now?
Where can people find you online?
The Wrap:
Mya Rena Hunter has never slept outdoors, her freshman year of high school opened her eyes to musicals and wants you to see Les Miserables on tour. Mya, thanks for taking the time to talk with us today.
And that my friends is Beyond the Mic.
Listen to other interviews of Broadway stars on Beyond the Mic here.
Check out Mya at her Instagram here.
