Harriet Jacobs - The Kansas City Repertory Theatre

THE PRODUCTION
SPOTLIGHT ON REP STAFF - CONTINUED
I think my favorite show when Peter Altman was artistic
director was the Rep’s rockin’ 2007 production of Love,
Janis. A really great show about the life of Janis Joplin, it
was the inaugural production at the Rep’s new downtown
performance space, Copaken Stage. Love, Janis featured a
fabulous back-up band made up of local musicians, and
the two ladies who sang Janis’s songs were both
outstanding, to boot.
And finally, choosing a
favorite Eric Rosen
production is a somewhat
daunting task, as every
production that we’ve
put on since he became
our artistic director has
featured something
outstanding and
memorable in it. While I
count Clay and Venice in
my top five Rosen
favorites, the 2009
staging of his play,
Winesburg, Ohio, is the
one that has most deeply
touched my heart to
date. The music was
hauntingly beautiful, and
I understood the feelings
of, and sympathized with, many of the characters. I went
to see it five times and would go five more if it was still on
our stage!
As to what show I’m looking forward to in the current
season, I would have to say the current production of
Harriet Jacobs, as her story is part of my history as a black
woman. I am also excited about Cabaret.
What got you interested in working in the theatre?
I was drawn to the Rep as a possible place of employment
because I had been to see a couple of their productions
and was impressed with what I saw. I also had never
worked for a professional theatre before, and thought that
being employed there could provide a lot of diverse
experiences. I certainly wasn’t wrong about that!
What advice do you have for young people interested in a
career as a graphic designer?
I would tell potential designers that, in my opinion, you are
about to enter one of the most exciting and interesting
professions there is to be had! If you like a lot of variety in
your job, love working with technology, and want to be
paid for unleashing your creative urges, this is the career
for you. I would also tell them that a thorough knowledge
of the major software packages used in this industry is
imperative to your
success. Therefore,
taking classes at
institutions with
reputable design
programs is definitely
a must.
What keeps you busy
outside of work?
I love listening to live
music at local venues,
dancing, visiting art
galleries and museums,
and being outdoors. My
major hobby for over
25 years has been
raising (not breeding)
and showing purebred
dogs at American
Kennel Club and International All-Breed Canine Association
shows all over the country. I share my life with an Alaskan
Malamute, AKC & International Champion Totempoles N
Sharaden’s Sam-I-Am (Sam, for short), who has six Best In
Show wins to date, and a Samoyed, International
Champion Silversage Cosmic Quiver (Austin, for short),
who has placed in Working Group competitions.
Thaylia and her Samoyed, International Champion Silversage Cosmic Quiver (Austin, for short),
at a recent competition.
HARRIET JACOBS
LEARNING GUIDE | 2010
Kansas City Repertory Theatre: Harriet Jacobs | 23