Wyeth Airlines Flight Thirteen, by M.F.A. in Playwriting candidate Lena Barnard, follows a tight-knit group of middle school friends as they lose sight of the imagined world that has kept them together. Surrounded by the pressure to fit in and find love, they struggle to hold onto the things that once gave them comfort, adjusting to new ways of viewing the world around them. In order to portray these young adolescence in a truthful and meaningful way, the cast of Wyeth Airlines Flight Thirteen has been reminiscing on their own middle school years; an awkward time that also served as an important time for self-discovery. We spoke with each of them to learn more about the process of working on Wyeth Airlines Flight Thirteen and how it has reminded them of their own middle school experiences.
Jayla Lachelle Collins – “Harlequin”
What has the process of working on Wyeth Airlines Flight Thirteen been like?
How has it made you think back to your own time in middle school?
During the show I play the character “Harlequin” who is an adventurous, playful kid who doesn’t care about much of anything. Throughout the play, however, she goes through a complete change in what she expects and wants out of life. I had the same experience in middle school. I was care free and wanting nothing more than to be included and I had to realize that it’s okay to be alone sometimes.
What would you tell your middle school self now if you could send them a note?
Enjoy everything while you can. Don’t let other peoples’ opinions affect you so heavily, it’s all going to be okay. Love yourself and have fun for as long as you can.
Rusama Islam – “Finch”
What has the process of working on Wyeth Airlines Flight Thirteen been like?
The process of working on Wyeth Airlines Flight Thirteen has been very unique compared to any other work I’ve done. Starting out, we were aware of the uncertainty surrounding this project, considering we’re making art in unprecedented times. Because of this, I did not try to hold on to any expectations of what the final product would look like, but when we finally started filming and were on stage, all the elements we hoped to showcase started coming together beautifully. It was really exciting. I was in awe of all the technical elements that truly brought this story to life, allowing us to create through this new medium of theatre that reflects the moment we are living in. I can’t wait for everyone to see it.
How has it made you think back to your own time in middle school?
Middle school marks the beginning of discovering who we are and where we fit into the world around us. Working on Wyeth Airlines Flight Thirteen made me think back to my time in middle school and all of my memories that define the quintessential middle school experience: friendship, crushes, cliques, trying to “fit in.” More importantly, it made me map out how my experiences then have shaped me to become the person I am now. I don’t think we give our time in middle school enough credit for how it affects who we become as much as we collectively agree on how middle school sucked. This play brings to life these revelations, as well as the intimacy of young friendships, boundless imagination and, of course, the drama of middle school.
What would you tell your middle school self now if you could send them a note?
You suck at soccer and that’s okay! Just stick to theatre.
Madelyn Martinez – “Cygnet”
What has the process of working on Wyeth Airlines Flight Thirteen been like?
This whole process has been so crazy and experimental, but I feel so proud to be a part of it. It was strange having every rehearsal in my room at my desk and it was a big adjustment to make connections to my cast mates even though they were not physically around me. Once we (safely) got into the space, it felt like we really had a show coming together.
How has it made you think back to your own time in middle school?
This show has just made me reflect a lot on my friendship from middle school and the way I viewed the world back then. It also made me wonder, “When did I stop playing imaginary games with my friends and decide I was too old for that?”
What would you tell your middle school self now if you could send them a note?
Start speaking what’s on your mind. Don’t let other people influence your opinion (too much). Everything is going to be okay. And enjoy all of One Direction while you can because once Zayn leaves the band… it’s the beginning of the end.
Andrea Nuñez – “Jamie Audubon”
What has the process of working on Wyeth Airlines Flight Thirteen been like?
Taking part in the production of Wyeth Airlines Flight Thirteen was a truly wholesome and enlightening experience. Becoming the character of “Jamie Audubon” and connecting with the cast in these uncertain times is a process that I will cherish for the entirety of my career in the arts. In order to make art in a chaotic time, it is essential to hold space for empathy and understanding; thanks to everyone involved and their enthusiasm to create art, we did just that.
How has it made you think back to your own time in middle school?
I can’t even begin to express just how much this play made me dive deep into my inner child and embody the universal nostalgia that everyone feels when reminiscing on their budding adolescence. I related and connected with much of the cast in their memories of their youth and the awkwardness, uncertainty and uncomfortable revelations that accompany it. However, I realized that the compassion and sympathy that comes with harnessing one’s inner child are aspects that should always be remembered and carried as one grows up.
What would you tell your middle school self now if you could send them a note?
Andie, stop trying to be someone else. Be yourself; be secure with yourself. Rely and trust your own decisions and beliefs. You understand the things that I’m saying?
But seriously… you are an amazing and complex and weird human being who will find her voice in her art. You will be able to be vulnerable and unafraid with a passion for every experience. Life is as magical as you perceive it to be. You have a butterfly soul; soar high and radiate love and light.
Michael Williams Martinez – “Shoebill”
What has the process of working on Wyeth Airlines Flight Thirteen been like?
The process of working on Wyeth Airlines Flight Thirteen was largely one of new experiences and learning. It was an odd blend of familiar and new, comfortable and strange. For example, I had to learn how to act for the camera for some scenes, but then during other scenes we were instructed to act as if the cameras weren’t there at all. All in all though, it was a fun, experimental and rewarding experience.
How has it made you think back to your own time in middle school?
This show made me think about my time in middle school for the first time in a very, very long time. I had tried to block out most of it, but working on this show unearthed a lot of old memories. I feel as if I hadn’t learned to appreciate my time in middle school. All these years I’ve been brushing it off as a bad time and nothing else, but this show reminded me of those times and showed me how valuable those memories are.
What would you tell your middle school self now if you could send them a note?
Hi Michael. It’s you, but almost 21 years old. Isn’t that wild? So yeah, first off, you get old. You should start considering that possibility now. You’re scared and afraid and so very sad right now. And that’s okay! I wish someone had told you sooner. No one knows what they’re doing right now, or really ever, for that matter. You can breathe. Also, STOP HANGING AROUND PEOPLE WHO DON’T LIKE YOU FOR YOU. It’s not a great sign of friendship if you feel you have to completely change yourself to be around someone. On that note, take some time and figure yourself out. It’s alright, someone will like you for you. Actually, a lot of people will. You’re great. And finally, it’ll be alright. I promise. I should know, I’m you after all. P.S. Join theatre now. Trust me on this.
Mallory Maybin – “Miss Walden”
Mallory Maybin is a fourth-year B.A. in Theatre and Dance major with an emphasis in playwriting and directing at The University of Texas at Austin. Her recent credits include the roles of “Carrie” in The Not Knowing and “Daughter” in Loverboy (UTNT (UT New Theatre), 2018).
The cast of Wyeth Airlines Flight Thirteen also features the voices of assistant stage managers Thomas Hardey and Rachel Aston Warren.
Thomas Hardey – “Voice of Student 2”
Thomas Hardey is a B.A. in Theatre and Dance major with an emphasis in stage management in the Department of Theatre and Dance. Previous credits with Texas Theatre and Dance include Sense and Sensibility (2020).
Rachel Aston Warren – “Voice of Student 1”
Rachel Aston Warren is a B.A. in Theatre and Dance major with an emphasis in playwriting and directing also pursuing a minor in Italian at The University of Texas at Austin. She has written and published four books of poetry which can be found in the Perry-Castañeda Library and the Ana Sisnett Library on campus. Recent credits include the role of “Love” in Everybody (PPP Graduate Student Alliance, 2019) and a featured poet in Unboxed (The Cohen New Works Festival, 2019).
See the cast of Wyeth Airlines Flight Thirteen in action, streaming November 19-20 at 7:30 p.m. The performance will then be available for on-demand viewing November 21-December 1. Click here to learn more and purchase tickets.
