Harriet Jacobs - The Kansas City Repertory Theatre

THE PRODUCTION
SPOTLIGHT ON AN ACTOR - CONTINUED
Have you found that you share any similarities
with your character?
I believe Harriet is the me I want to be as I get
older. She is resilient, strong, and is dedicated
to making sure her story makes it to the future.
If anything, I aspire to cultivate the parts of me
that are like her but can be enhanced.
What have you learned from Harriet? What
can she teach us?
I learned so much from Harriet the first time I
portrayed her and I learn even more from her
everyday as I become reacquainted with her. As
I mentioned, her resilience and tenacity are
what I draw from her. What we should draw
from her as an audience are those things, and
also her commitment to telling the truth and
recording history.
What would you like young people to take
away from this production?
Young people should take away the history. It’s
a very important and relevant part of history
that still affects the world we live in. Young
people need to understand how these things
helped create the fabric of our country.
Besides being an actress you are also a
playwright. Could you share some advice for
young people who want to work in theatre?
Be fearless. Trust yourself and trust that the
right path for you will unfold as it should.
Nambi Kelley during a rehearsal for the Rep’s
production of Harriet Jacobs.
For more about Nambi Kelley, please visit:
www.nambikelley.com.
HARRIET JACOBS
LEARNING GUIDE | 2010
Kansas City Repertory Theatre: Harriet Jacobs | 21