10 Questions
Take Ten - KIMBERLY GILBERT
From the wide-eyed arsonist Billie Irons at Woolly Mammoth to Angels in America’s Harper for Round House and Olney Theatre, D.C.-based actor KIMBERLY GILBERT loves nothing more than a challenging role. The star of Ford's Theatre’s current production of the classic political comedy Born Yesterday (running through October 21) takes a moment out of an eight-show week to talk about her worst-ever day job, her approach to audience feedback, and her favorite play ever (hint: she performed in its world premiere). It’s all in this week’s Take Ten from theatreWashington.
1) What was the first show you ever saw, and what impact did it have?
I'm not sure if it was the first, but Antigone at Peoples Light in PA in the early 90's. My main source of watching the craft of acting was TV and movies, so it was unreal; it was amazing to be so close to live actors telling such an intense piece.
2) What was your first involvement in a theatrical production?
Fifth grade. A play called Dear Abby, about Abigail Adams. I played Agnes, obviously.
3) What’s your favorite play or musical, and why do you like it so much?
These questions are impossible to answer so I'll say Stupid Fucking Bird because my friend [Aaron Posner] wrote it and my friends were awesome in it and it introduced me to my love of playing the ukulele.
4) What’s the worst day job you ever took?
Answering 1-800 numbers....varied from ordering from a Cashs Of Ireland catalog to Health Insurance...I left because I was getting reprimanded for talking to the callers for too long.
5) What is your most embarrassing moment in the theatre?
I got drunk in college my freshman year at Rider at our Spring Fling, in the morning, on everclear and oj, thinking I could sober up to play Puck that night...lesson learned.
6) What are you enjoying most about working on Born Yesterday at Ford's Theatre?
Cast and crew. I love my friends.
7) Other than your significant other, who’s your dream date (living or dead) and why?
Steve Martin
8) What is your dream role/job?
Um, is it cheesy to say I'm doing it right now?
9) If you could travel back in time, what famous production or performance would you choose to see?
The first production of Twelfth Night.
10) What advice would you give to an 8-year-old smitten by theatre / for a graduating MFA student?
*Don't stop being a student...the minute you think you're an expert is the minute you stop working the craft.
*Not Knowing is a gift, not a hurdle.
*The crew on your shows are not your servants, they are your gods; bring them offerings whenever possible.
*Audience response is never a good barometer on your level of awesome, don't go down that path, for that way danger lies.
*Make peace with Hunger and Rejection; they will be your constant companions and they are vital to keeping you grounded and grateful.
KIMBERLY GILBERT takes on the iconic role of Billie Dawn in Born Yesterday at Ford’s Theatre through Oct. 21. Kimberly is a mainstay of D.C. theatre who has appeared in numerous productions including: Jefferson’s Garden and The Laramie Project at Ford’s Theatre; Angel’s in America at Round House/Olney Theatre Center; Winter’s Tale at Folger; and multiple productions at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company where she is a member of the Company, including her Helen Hayes Award winning performance in Marie Antoinette. After Born Yesterday, her next project will be Oslo at Round House Theatre.
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