Two BYU–Hawaii performers for the Fall 2025 musical play said playing their characters help them connect with themselves and the audience by showing human moments
Cinderella, The Witch, Prince Charming, Jack and the Beanstalk and Little Red Riding Hood—were some of the characters who crossed paths on stage for “Into the Woods” musical play at BYU–Hawaii McKay Auditorium last Nov. 12-14. Parker Stanley and Mya Muhlestein, two of the performers, found themselves navigating the layers of the characters they played. They said it was both a challenge and growth from healing. “The play and the morally gray characters we play taught me that everyone is living life for the first time. Even morally gray people have emotions and motives. Showing those human moments helps the audience connect with our characters,” Stanley said.
The fairytale mashup
Stanley, a senior majoring in biology from Utah, who played the Big Bad Wolf and Cinderella's Prince Charming, said both characters play on a different level. On one hand, he said that The Wolf has needs for survival. “It is his own choice to choose a little girl in a red cape and an old woman for that survival nature,” Stanley said. On the other hand, the Prince has other motivators like having the “trophy” he thinks he is supposed to have though lacking self-confidence.
Muhlestein, an incoming student of BYUH from Laie who played the Witch, said there were many layers of the character such as wanting to be a good mother despite not being the best in doing so. “It taught me that we’re all just trying to be the best we can,” she said. Muhlestein continued it was an experience for her to portray and found it amazing to see how people realized what she learned during run-throughs.
Stanley and Muhlestein said the musical could be very funny but there are also fantastic, deep messages in it. “If you go in with an open heart and open mind, I think there are so many things to take from it,” Muhlestein said.
Finding joy through the character
Stanley and Muhlestein said they auditioned for the play not wanting a specific role. Muhlestein shared, “When I got the [acceptance and assignment] call, I was like, ‘You’re joking. Witch has always been cool to play, but I also would have loved to be Little Red. I love her songs,” she said.
For Stanley, he said he finally had time to participate in the musical. “I wasn’t working 50 hours a week anymore. Ultimately, I’ve really come to enjoy my roles,” he continued. “I think it would have been fun to play the Baker. He has such depth.”
Muhlestein said she imagined how it would be a challenge for a student to balance work, schoolworks and rehearsals. “I started in January [as an incoming student]. But I work from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., then have rehearsals at 6:30 p.m. I can imagine having homework on top of that … It’s definitely hard,” she said.
Stanley, as a current student of BYUH, said it was definitely a challenge. “You just kind of have to do it—there’s no alternative. We don’t have rehearsals on weekends, so that helps,” he said. He continued that the casts developed camaraderie which makes it easier. “We’re a small cast, so we’re all close,” he said.
Learning and respecting the art
Playing complex characters, Stanley and Muhlestein said the whole cast of the play has helped each other to play their own parts. “The support is constant—people cheering each other on no matter the scene. We respect the art and each other,” Stanley said.
Remembering the whole experience as being part of the play as something memorable, Stanley and Muhlestein said they love how they sing and perform together. “I love when we break out into other songs during breaks,” she said. Although having a challenging role, Stanley said it humbled him. “It’s taught me how much there is still to learn, which is really cool,” he said. Stanley and Muhlestein said performing for an audience definitely brought a whole new adrenaline.