The epic adventures of Percy Jackson are coming to the stage in Edinburgh. A thrilling tale for gods and mortals of all ages, this gripping story proves that being ‘normal’ is anything but. We sat down with Kayna Montecillo who plays Annabeth to discuss her upcoming role.
Kayna, Annabeth is such an iconic character in the Percy Jackson universe. What excited you most about stepping into her shoes?
Annabeth is the kind of strong female character I looked up to growing up, so getting to step into her shoes felt both exciting and meaningful. Joe Tracz and Rob Rokicki had captured her battle between strength and vulnerability so well in the show and even though the mythological aspects of her world makes it very different to our own, she’s very human in her emotions, her relationships and her struggles so I was excited to share a story as relatable as hers especially for younger audiences.
The Lightning Thief blends mythology, adventure, and music – what’s been the most fun part of bringing that world to life in a live theatre setting?
When I discovered I booked the role, I was so excited that I went to see the production at The Other Palace. I was blown away at how the costumes, set, puppetry, and illusions captured the magic of the story. What stood out the most was watching younger audiences respond to how these elements bought the story to life so helping to create that same magic every night and seeing those reactions up close has definitely been the best part. I think this show perfectly encapsulates why theatre is such a brilliant way to tell unique stories because building a mythological world as detailed as this one and making sure it can fit in a few trucks to tour it around the UK initially seems impossible, but now I can’t imagine it being told any other way!
Percy and Annabeth’s friendship is at the heart of the story. What’s it been like building that on-stage dynamic with your castmates?
The idea of building chemistry between characters always feels intimidating to me, especially when it is such an integral part of a story. But the process of building Percy and Annabeth’s friendship has been so natural and authentic. Exploring their relationship on stage continues to be one of my favourite parts of performing the show and I couldn’t do it without working alongside someone who is as generous on and offstage as Vasco. The genuine connection we share as a company has made rehearsals and performing a really rewarding experience. I feel so fortunate to part of a group as talented and supportive as this one and I hope the connection we share reflects in the way we tell the story.
Percy Jackson has been around for more than 20 years now – with fans from kids discovering it today to adults who grew up with it. How does it feel performing a role that means so much to so many people?
It is an honour to play Annabeth and feels more special after hearing stories at stage door about how they relate to Annabeth’s journey. For me, the greatest privilege has been bringing a version of the character that allows young Asian girls to feel represented in a way I wish I had growing up. Seeing strong female characters like Annabeth being portrayed as an Asian character would have given me so much confidence in my own Asian identity and it’s deeply rewarding to know this portrayal might have a similar impact on today’s young Asian audience. I feel incredibly lucky to be part of an industry that is learning to celebrate diversity more than ever and I hope to do both the book lovers proud and help young Asian audiences feel more represented in the industry.
Finally, if Annabeth herself could give audiences one piece of advice about facing challenges, what do you think she’d say?
I think Annabeth would tell them to trust their instincts and be confident in their own abilities. She’d tell them to embrace their strengths, learn from their mistakes and never be afraid to take a risk.
Percy Jackson musical – The Lightning Thief shows at the Festival Theatre 23-27th September. Tickets are available here.