Kimberli Rowley is an actor, director, choreographer and print model (among other things). Kimberli’s play Distensione will be presented as a staged reading on Saturday, April 18. It will be directed by JC Payne.
BPF Board Advisor Larry Lambert connected with Kimberli to discuss how her career, primary influences and various creative pursuits interact.
L – What was your inspiration for writing Distensione? Is there a personal angle that you used to create this play?
K – To be completely honest, I started the play as a one act for a local contest The guidelines were that it had to have six characters. But I quickly realized after writing for a few days that these characters had much more to say so I abandoned the festival and just kept writing. I grew up in an Italian family, And I also have several friends who are from Italian families. So, this play is kind of a collection of stories that I have heard, read and experienced myself. Kind of a love letter to the culture.
L – Distensione can mean a period of détente. Do you feel like there is any chance of détente with your characters?
K – You’ll just have to come and see the play and give your opinion!
L – You are listed, in various sources, as an actor, director, choreographer and print model. Where does playwriting fit into this varied world you live in?
K – Play writing is something I have the least amount of experience with. I’ve written small sketches and helped outline improv shows, but this is the only full length play that I have written. I feel my writing tends to lean toward how people really speak because as an actor sometimes it’s a challenge to make dialogue sound natural, So, when I write, I actually hear the lines being said in my head and right in that fashion.
L – Give us a little background about how you got where you are today.
K – I started as a dancer, fell in love with theater when I was around middle school/high school age, and then I went to college to study acting. I quickly realized that, as much as I loved acting, I also really loved directing, which came naturally to me. My dance background got my foot in the door as a choreographer, which led to directing, which has led to now being one of the Artistic Directors at Cumberland Theatre.
My favorite things right now remain directing and acting, but I still dabble in choreography, dance, and singing from time to time. I’ve been Artistic Director at Cumberland Theatre since late 2016, but I started as an actor, worked my way into the Resident Choreographer position, and then when the previous Artistic Director retired, I applied for that job, and here I am!
L – Do you have a favorite directing project?
K –My top five of the many shows I’ve directed are True West, Jesus Christ Superstar, American Idiot, Dog Sees God andAssassins. I just finished directing a new edgy version of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, which was challenging and very rewarding.
L – You show a huge amount of pride being Italian. Do you share the love of food and cooking?
K – I do! I still use many of the recipes handed down by my grandmother. I love to cook for my friends. I also love wine!
L – What would you like our audience to take away from your play?
K – I think the most important thing is that we never stop learning about the people in our lives. Everything is always in flux. You should never assume you know everything about someone because people grow and people change and that is what keeps us human. And the most important thing is to embrace those close to you, take the journey with them and be prepared for anything.
L – What’s next on your creative journey?
K – I am currently playing Miss Hannigan in a production of Annie and I will be directing 9 to 5 this summer as well as a production of Romeo and Juliet.
L – Last question: where do you do the bulk of your creative writing and why?
K – My living room is bright and the space that I spend most of my time. Usually, with my dog sleeping next to me or my cat on my lap. My home has become my sanctuary as I’ve gotten older. I’ve loved decorating and making it truly my own. It’s definitely more than just a house…it’s a home.