Sydney Mikayla And Tristan Allerick Chen Talk The Barbarian and the Troll – Exclusive Interviews

The Barbarian and the Troll is an amazing show and we were lucky enough to get some time with Sydney Mikayla and Tristan Allerick Chen to talk about the show with them.

Sydney Mikayla (General Hospital, The Gabby Douglas Story) voices the role of Olivia, a confident, no nonsense 12-year-old who through the Gothmorian Forest with a fierce old goat named Helen. Tristan Allerick Chen voices Kendar, Brendar’s optimistic and wide-eyed younger brother who was captured by an evil demon when he was 6 years old.

Let us get into the interviews with Sydney and Tristan below:

BSCKids: Tell us a bit about your character on The Barbarian and the Troll?

Sydney Mikayla: I play Olivia in The Barbarian and the Troll. Olivia is a no-nonsense, confident young girl we meet in the forest. Her honesty and sarcasm are what make her so fun to play, and she’ll definitely have the audience laughing.

How did you get the role and what did you think when you read about what the show was going to be about?

My fabulous agents submitted me for the role and when I got the audition I studied Olivia’s lines, tried out some different voices on my own, then submitted the audition from my home studio. When I first read about the show, I wondered if it might be the typical princess and prince story, but it’s nothing like that! Instead, it’s a fun way to incorporate puppetry, comedy, and storytelling in a way audiences have probably never seen before.

How do you explain to your friends what the show is about? How would you explain your character and what your character adds to the show?

I would tell my friends the show is about a troll named Evan who wants to become a musician, and meets a barbarian named Brendar. Together, the two go on a quest to conquer a demon. I think Olivia provides Evan with some much needed honesty and that will hopefully help him to achieve his ultimate goal.

How is it working with Spencer Grammer and Drew Massey? From the episodes we have seen everyone works so well together, why do you think everyone meshed so well?

Unfortunately because of COVID-19, I had to record remotely so I didn’t get to work with them in person. But I am so excited to be a part of the project because they both have such amazing credits. Fun fact, my mom actually worked with Drew for a few years on Sid the Science Kid, and I remember going up to Jim Henson Studios to watch them work. So it’s really cool that now I get to work on a project that Drew helped create. I’m hoping to do more episodes of The Barbarian and the Troll and get the chance to work with everyone again.

Anything funny that has happened while the cameras were off that you can tell us about?

I found out the director of The Barbarian and the Troll, Mike Mitchell, also directed one of my favorite movies. I don’t know if that was as funny as it was a major shock!

Why do you feel like this show works so well with puppets?

I think the directors, actors, and puppeteers really make the puppetry work amazing. During the recording session, I watched the puppets on screen and had to sync my voice with the actions of the puppets and puppeteers. It was so interesting as an actor to work this way, and I think the audience will enjoy watching this show as much I did performing in it.

What other Nickelodeon show would you love to guest star on as your character?

I think that Olivia would be great on SpongeBob. She could keep the Krusty Krab in check, and make sure the Krabby Patty formula stays safe.

Tell us something people would be surprised to learn about you?

People will be surprised to learn I wear size 11 shoes!

Why should everyone tune in to watch Nickelodeon’s The Barbarian and the Troll?

COVID-19 has been tough for all of us. Tune into The Barbarian and the Troll to have a good laugh, forget about your problems, and enjoy spending time with the whole family!

BSCKids: Tell us a bit about your character on The Barbarian and the Troll?

Tristan Allerick Chen: Kendar is a very optimistic person who has been stuck in a dungeon for a long time and when he steps out into the world, he is in awe of everything around him.

How did you get the role and what did you think when you read about what the show was going to be about?

I have an amazing agency who I signed with at the beginning of the pandemic. Melissa Berger Brennan is so supportive and they all get me lots of opportunities for wonderful roles like this. It’s refreshing to see something so unique. I like the idea that it’s all puppets set in realistic environments.

How do you explain to your friends what the show is about? How would you explain your character and what your character adds to the show?

It’s an adventure show focusing on a strong female character in a quest to find her brother who was kidnapped as a child. Kendar adds a sense of mystery throughout the show. Finding him is the main goal of the show so far, so it’s really exciting to see it all unfold.

How is it working with Spencer Grammer and Drew Massey? From the episodes we have seen everyone works so well together, why do you think everyone meshed so well?

I’m in a booth by myself when I voice Kendar’s character because of the pandemic, but everyone on Zoom was super chill and there to have a good time while creating a fun show. They really put me at ease.

Why do you feel like this show works so well with puppets?

The puppets are a perfect blend between animation and live-action. They have the same type of energy as animated characters but it’s still somewhat grounded in reality since the puppets are real.

What other Nickelodeon show would you love to guest star on as your character?

I would love Kendar to guest star in the show SpongeBob SquarePants because it would be a wacky encounter and really fun to see the characters try to teach him a little bit about the world outside the dungeon.

Tell us something people would be surprised to learn about you.

I love playing piano and composing my own music. Singing helps me focus but not so much for the people around me because I’m loud. I’m very, very loud.

Why should everyone tune in to watch Nickelodeon’s The Barbarian and the Troll?

Everyone should tune in to Nickelodeon’s The Barbarian and the Troll because it’s a really funny, fun and clever show that always leaves you wanting more. And I’m in it sooooo….that’s good too!

Special thanks to Sydney Mikayla And Tristan Allerick Chen for taking the time out of their schedule to talk The Barbarian and the Troll. The quest is yet to come in Nickelodeon’s all-new live-action puppet comedy series, The Barbarian and the Troll, premiering Friday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m. (ET/PT).