By Sandy Meier

When the national tour of Mrs. Doubtfire landed at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, audiences were treated to high-energy comedic timing, quick changes, and unforgettable musical numbers. Central to the show’s heart and humor is 10-year-old Layla Jewel Parton, who lights up the stage as Natalie Hillard—the youngest sibling whose candid, unfiltered reactions deliver some of the biggest laughs of the night.

Between packed show schedules, tutoring, and exploring the Lowcountry, Layla caught up with Charleston Live Music to share what it’s really like booking a major national tour, keeping a straight face on stage alongside co-star Hudson Vandervoort (Christopher), and spotting dolphins in Charleston harbor.

1. The Defining Moment: Booking the Role

CLM: What was it like the exact moment you found out that you got the role of Natalie in Mrs. Doubtfire? Who was the first person you told?

Layla Jewel Parton: The day of the callback, we were heading to the airport in New York to go home to Florida later in the day. On the plane, as we were boarding and sitting down, my mom got an email that they wanted to schedule a Zoom meeting to talk about tour life with my mom and dad. She tried to act like it was spam so I wouldn't see, but I caught a glance!

Two days later, my mom came to my room handed me the phone with my agent Mallory on FaceTime. Mallory said, "Layla, do you want to be in the Mrs. Doubtfire Tour?" I said, "Yes!" and she told me, "Well, you booked it!"

I screamed at the top of my lungs, and my dogs started barking ten million times because they were so happy for me. I sort of fell off my bed with my agent still on the phone! That’s how excited I was. The first people I told were my dad and a close family friend who was waiting on pins and needles for the news.

2. Mastering the Comedy & "Straight Face"

CLM: As Natalie, you get some of the funniest moments in the show—especially your blunt, unfiltered reactions when the adults around you are acting wild! How did you practice getting that dry comedic delivery down, and how hard is it to keep a straight face on stage?

Layla Jewel Parton: I've done a few shows that are really funny and sad at the same time, and Mrs. Doubtfire is definitely one of them! Comedy comes naturally to me because I'm funny in real life, too! But I also have different emotions, just like everyone else.

One of my favorite things about playing Natalie is how she reacts to everything happening around her. When Christopher—played by Hudson Vandervoort—starts yelling or acting crazy, Natalie just looks at him like, "What is going on?" She's the youngest, and she doesn't always understand what's happening, which makes her reactions even funnier. I think the secret is just being Natalie in that moment instead of trying to be funny.

3. Musical Timing & Physical Comedy

CLM: Beyond spoken lines, you have amazing physical comedy and facial reactions during fast-paced numbers like "What the Hell." Is comedic timing something that came naturally to you through dancing?

Layla Jewel Parton: I've been a competitive dancer since I was two years old, so musical timing and facial expressions come naturally to me! In dance, you're not just doing steps—you're telling a story with your face and your whole body.

When I'm acting, I think about what my character is feeling. If it's a sad moment, I think about something sad from real life or my imagination. If I need to be happy, I think about things like ice cream, candy, or getting a new puppy—although my mom probably wouldn't let me because we already have a million animals!

In "What the Hell," the music is really fast, so you have to keep up with the rhythm, your reactions, and even your breathing. The funniest part is having to say a word I normally wouldn't say and acting like it's totally normal!

4. Life on the Road & Balancing School

CLM: What is the most fun part about traveling from city to city as a 10-year-old performer, and how do you manage schoolwork while doing multiple shows a week?

Layla Jewel Parton: I love traveling to different cities on tour because I get to explore new places and spend time with my mom, my dad, or sometimes both! We love going to museums, parks, finding cool graffiti walls to take pictures in front of, and experiencing something new in every city.

Traveling with the cast is really fun, too. At the airport, we play card games, hang out, and watch Dancing with the Stars! On the bus, we usually sleep, watch movies, relax on our phones, or do schoolwork.

For school, we balance our work with our performance schedules. Since the young cast members rotate performances, sometimes we're doing tutoring while the other kids are performing, and vice versa. Schedules change depending on the day and the city, but we always make it work!

5. Exploring Charleston & Lowcountry Memories

CLM: When you were performing at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, did you get a chance to explore the Lowcountry? Did you discover any favorite local spots?

Layla Jewel Parton: When we first arrived in Charleston, we were really tired from traveling, but we were hungry, so my mom and I went out for hibachi! It was so much fun watching them cook right in front of us with big flames.

A few days later, we went out on a big boat with some of the cast, and we got to see dolphins swimming in the ocean! They were SO cute—they kept popping their little heads and fins out of the water! We also stopped along the shore to collect shark teeth and pretty seashells. We put our feet in the water, took lots of pictures of the sky and ocean, and had the best time. Charleston was such a fun place to explore, and that boat trip was definitely one of my favorite memories!

6. Advice for Aspiring Young Performers

CLM: What is one piece of advice you would give to a young kid in Charleston who dreams of performing on a big stage one day?

Layla Jewel Parton: My advice would be to keep auditioning and auditioning and auditioning! Just because you get a "no" doesn't mean it's a "no" forever. Sometimes you're too tall, too short, or they might be looking for someone a little older or younger. It doesn't mean you're not talented or good enough.

That's happened to me, too, but I kept trying, and eventually I got the role of Natalie in Mrs. Doubtfire! So my biggest advice is to believe in yourself, keep trying, and never give up on your dreams!