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 TroyWhat 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 WodtkeWhat 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 StampleyWhat 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!"
And they ARE!
And THEY have promised to challenge two MORE people (each!) when their own fundraisers are complete! If you think that's cool, you don't have to wait for the challenge to make its way to you! You can start your very own challenge chain! How? Easy! First (and especially) if your birthday is coming up soon, make a plan: decide how long you'd like to run your fundraiser (10-14 days seems manageable, but your mileage may vary), when you'd like to start it, what you'd like to say to your friends and family when you ask them to support Optimist Theatre (the entity registered with Facebook as a nonprofit; we do ask that you @ tag the Shakespeare in the Park page -- @ShaxParkMKE in your intro text). Then, go to town! The image below shows you how/where to get started. Promote your fundraiser while it's active. Think about a couple of your own friends with birthdays on the horizon who value free Shakespeare in Milwaukee. When your fundraiser ends, challenge them to do the same! Finally, bask in our gratitude. Our fans are the best fans, and it's projects like this that just prove it! Note: if you need help, contact us and we'll be happy to assist you. If you missed Susan Fry and Malkia Stampley on The Morning Blend, you can watch it here!! If you also missed our 10 Questions profile of Malkia, check that out, too. What brought you to acting? 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 Malkia think she'd be when she 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 is the greatest challenge that you anticipate in playing Titania and Hippolyta in A Midsummer Night's Dream? For each of them, connecting the dots throughout their journey, and finding the playfulness when both of them can be so serious. What do you hope that Shakespeare in the Park fans will take away from A Midsummer Night's Dream? That Shakespeare can be enjoyed by all ages! And, hopefully, those new to Shakespeare will enjoy the show and understand the storyline. Who should play you in the feature film of your life? Zoe Saldana or a younger Sanaa Lathan. What Shakespeare character do you most resemble? Cleopatra. What's your superpower? Keeping a mental calendar...for everyone in my family! Tragedy, comedy or history? Tragedy. Truth or dare? Truth. Guilty pleasure? Splitting a pint of Luna and Larry's Salted Caramel Coconut Ice Cream with my husband while watching episodes of "A Different World!" More about Malkia:
Malkia is making her Milwaukee Shakespeare in the Park debut this year. She is native of Milwaukee and former Milwaukee Rep intern (2005/2006). She is a founding ensemble member of Milwaukee’s Bronzeville Arts Ensemble. Favorite stage productions include: A Midnight Cry (First Stage); Burying The Bones (In Tandem Theatre); Good People (Forward Theater); Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (First Stage); Dreamgirls (St. Louis Black Repertory Theater); two years of performing in Black Nativity (Congo Square Theater); Raisin (Court Theater) among many others. She has also toured Japan, playing Nala in the concert version of The Lion King and received the Woodie King Jr. Award, Best Supporting Actress in a Musical, for Lorrell in Dreamgirls. She is currently the face of the YMCA Metropolitan Milwaukee and enjoys making theater magic happen in her hometown, especially with her brother, Nathaniel; she dedicates her work to Chike and their three superstars. Catch Malkia in her next roles: at The Milwaukee Rep in Dreamgirls in September and A Christmas Carol in December, at First Stage in Holes and in Crowns at Skylight Music Theatre next winter. She will also be assistant directing The Mojo and the Sayso, a collaboration with Bronzeville Arts Ensemble and Madison's Theatre LILA. |
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