Cast Interview: Robert King in MISS JULIE

Your name:
Robert King

Role in this production:
Jean

What's been your favorite role, to date?

Performing in my one-man show, HALFRICAN-AMERICAN. I don't think I will ever find a role that means as much to me as that.

What's the wackiest experience you've ever had onstage?  

One of my first shows in NY was an Off-Broadway show that started off with a legit script, and evolved (or really, devolved) into an interactive Chip & Dales spoof. It ran for a year and a half, and will haunt my dreams forever.

What's been the most challenging thing about preparing for this role?  

On the surface, and in almost everything you find about Strindberg's writing, you can find a lot of misogyny. The hardest part of preparing for this role was justifying and humanizing that, because it is so far from who I am.

What's been the most exciting thing about the rehearsal process?  

This process allows you freedom to find things on your own, and that boils over into being able to "play" onstage. Very rarely do you find surprises and honestly fun moments onstage, and this process really cultivates the opportunity to do that.

What parts of yourself are similar to the character? 

Jean has such a deep desire to improve his station in life, to be seen as more than his current position, and live better. When you are just starting out as an actor (and in most professions) you have to prove yourself over and over again, and really MAKE people see that you are better and can do better.

What's next for you (with The Seeing Place, or other)?  
I will be playing Guildenstern in ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD, and I couldn't be more thrilled. And terrified. In a good way.

MISS JULIE runs March 3-12, 2013

Sun at 7pm,  Mon at 6pm & 9pm, Tue at 7pm, in New York City.

For tickets, click here.

For more info about The Seeing Place, click here.

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