10 Questions with Malkia Stampley, Kat Wodtke and Jacque TroyDespite the intense rehearsal and production schedule of the last weeks, we were able to get a few minutes with this incredible trio of actors for the return of 10 Questions! First up: Jacque Troy What brought you to theater and to Shakespeare? I moved a lot when I was growing up. Prior to 9th grade, I made ONE friend, who was interested in theater. So, I took my first acting class to be with her. As luck would have it, the teacher, Mr. Naab, was an extraordinarily generous man and encouraged me beyond the walls of the classroom. What did 10-year-old you think you’d be when you “grew up?” I thought I was going to be a writer....thanks to another very encouraging teacher. What do you think is the greatest challenge of portraying Goneril? To help the audience see her humanity. What do you hope the audience will take away from King Lear? I hope, as it does for me, that the story both fills and breaks their hearts. What Shakespeare character do you most resemble? It depends on the day! Besides Shakespeare, with what person, living or dead, would you most love to have a drink and a chat? (And, what’s the drink?) Eric Berry, safety for the KC Chiefs, on game day. Gatorade, of course! What’s your superpower? Teaching. Tragedy, comedy or history? Tragedy. Truth or dare? Dare! Guilty pleasure(s)? Young Adult novels and bowling! Next: Kat Wodtke What brought you to theater and to Shakespeare? I'm pretty sure the first play I ever saw was To Kill a Mockingbird at First Stage in the early '90s. I performed in an all-female King Lear at the University of Minnesota in 2009, which was my first crack at the Bard. I played Edgar. What did 10-year-old you think you’d be when you “grew up?” An archaeologist. What do you think is the greatest challenge of portraying Regan? Going to a place of deep abandonment and profound cruelty. What do you hope the audience will take away from King Lear? A desire to see more live theater, and to take in all that Milwaukee's arts community has to offer. What Shakespeare character do you most resemble? Rosalind from As You Like It. Besides Shakespeare, with what person, living or dead, would you most love to have a drink and a chat? (And, what’s the drink?) I would like to share a Coca Cola with Paul Newman! What’s your superpower? Juggling many creative projects at the same time. Tragedy, comedy or history? I love the haunting comedies that are also tragic (Measure for Measure, As You Like It, Twelfth Night, Two Gents, Merchant of Venice). Some of them are called "problem plays" because they are too complicated to fit into our tidy categories. The characters are interesting and complex, and their decisions leave us unsettled. Truth or dare? Both! Guilty pleasure(s)? I am not at all guilty about my affinity for fancy cheese, donuts, brats, naps and cheap rosé! Finally, Malkia Stampley What brought you to theater and to Shakespeare?
My mom loved watching old TV musicals and I grew up watching my older brother in musicals. I also sang a lot in choirs and small groups around town, so the desire to perform came naturally. Acting in high school was my way of doing something different from the music performing I knew. What did 10-year-old you think you’d be when you “grew up?” I remember not knowing what I wanted when I was ten and was so frustrated that I couldn't figure it out. I guess I should have gotten a clue from all the pretend soap opera scenes I played out by myself in my room! What do you think is the greatest challenge of portraying Cordelia? The greatest challenge of playing Cordelia is making sure she is a fully realized human being. It is easy to think of her as such a fierce, strong, warrior type. She is definitely all of that, but she is also a daddy's girl, hurt and devastated. Her strength is what pushes her to not give up on her father or his legacy. I hope the audience can see that struggle of vulnerability through determination. What do you hope the audience will take away from King Lear? Lear is such a classic and I am so excited to be a part of this production! The story of a fallen or misguided leader and the importance of having the right people around you to be willing to say "no" is a lesson we desperately need today, but I hope the Milwaukee audience realizes the importance of Optimist Theatre and Shakespeare in the Park. Each year, the production level has risen, more people come, the Actor Union contracts increase, there is a Chicago director this year, so many things...and it is still free to all who can get to the Peck Pavilion. A theater dedicated to serving the community needs to be celebrated. I hope that new faces come to the theater and make this part of their Milwaukee summer traditions! What Shakespeare character do you most resemble? Cleopatra. Besides Shakespeare, with what person, living or dead, would you most love to have a drink and a chat? (And, what’s the drink?) Wow! There are so many, but I would love to sit and chat with Maya Angelou. She was beyond her time and lived her life to the fullest despite her tremendous obstacles, and she EXCELLED. Her personal story, her writing, her philosophy on life, she is the very essence of royalty. We'd be drinking a cool glass of fresh lemonade infused with mint and sliced cucumbers topped with basil, oregano and a hint of salt! What’s your superpower? Keeping a mental calendar...for everyone in my family! Tragedy, comedy or history? Tragedy. Truth or dare? Truth! Guilty pleasure(s)? Splitting a pint of Luna and Larry's Salted Caramel Coconut Ice Cream with my husband while watching episodes of "A Different World!" |
Archives
September 2021
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed