Lyric fans… meet this summer’s Oliver. Sam Brown is making his Lyric debut this summer playing Oliver in Lyric’s summer production of Oliver! Lyric’s is producing this classic musical at Oklahoma City’s Civic Center Stage June 21st through 25th.
Learn about this 11-year-old student, born and raised in Edmond, Oklahoma!
When did you develop your love for theatre?
My big brother, Mitchell, has been doing plays and musicals since I was 3 years old. I would watch him and hope to do it when I was old enough. My first play was in kindergarten. I was a duckling in the Junior edition of Honk!. My brother played the lead role “Ugly” so I learned all of his lines and songs too.
Have you been in any musicals/plays in school or outside of school?
I played a cow in 4th grade in a school music assembly called “Get Mooovin'” (Haha…Get it.) Outside of school I’ve been involved with Edmond Summerstock (part of the gang in Oliver!) and played Puck in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. I love Shakespeare. I am currently working on “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” with Allegro in Edmond.
Tell us your excitement on playing the famous Oliver this summer.
It’s a little boy’s dream role. It’s like every little girl wanting to play Annie. And to get the chance to be Oliver on the Civic Center stage, with Lyric Theatre is a fantasy that came true.
Tell us your excitement on playing the famous Oliver this summer.
It’s a little boy’s dream role. It’s like every little girl wanting to play Annie. And to get the chance to be Oliver on the Civic Center stage, with Lyric Theatre is a fantasy that came true.
What kind of lessons have you taken to prepare for the role of Oliver?
I’ve been involved in Junior productions around the city. This is where I’ve learned how to act. I also go to Wilson Arts Integration School and get a lot of training from Mr. Greg Eskridge (drama teacher.) I’m currently taking a group class with Mateja Govich at Lyric’s Thelma Gaylord Academy. He’s the one who told me I needed to try out for Oliver. (Thanks Mat.) I also started taking voice lessons this year. But most of my abilities and habits I’ve learned from watching my 15 year old brother, who’s been doing theater since he was in 1st grade. He’s really good.
This is your Lyric Theatre debut! How did you find out about Lyric Theatre?
I’ve heard about Lyric my whole life. How can you live in Oklahoma and not know about Lyric. But I didn’t know someone like me could get this great opportunity at such an awesome theater. I’ve met some friends in the past year who’ve been in the Gaylord Academy since they were little kids. They told me it would be a great place for me.
What are you most excited about going into the summer production of Oliver!?
Really??!!! I get to spend half of my summer working on one of my favorite musicals, with a bunch of great actors and singers, and one of the best theaters in the country. I can’t wait for summer to start.
