Melissa Kiplagat: It all started in fifth grade

Q:Tell us a little about your theatre history.

A:It all started in the US in fifth grade. I auditioned for a role in the school play and got the lead part and got hooked.  In high school, at Hillcrest, I received the Best in the World award for O-Level drama.  Then I concentrated on university and pursued a BA in economics at Brown University, but dedicated most of my final year training with some of the best acting professors in the US and now a year after graduating, I am lucky to be performing in my fifth professional theatre production at the Phoenix Theatre.

Q: Do you come from an acting family?

A: Funny enough, I have always known that acting would be in my life.  And I am talking years before I ever even tried it. That being said, I have very supportive parents.

Q: Any TV work yet?

A: Two yet-to-be-aired shows; New Beginnings and How to Find a Husband. But other than that, my focus thus far has primarily been in theatre.

Q:Does the quality of your acting depend on the director?

A: Yes, Yes! Directors set the mood and the rules within which the actor can work. I have to applaud Harry Ebale, our director, in this respect because he created such a great mood throughout our rehearsals and it is evident in what the theatre goers see on stage.

Q:Are there directors you would absolutely not work with?

A: By name, no, but I would be hesitant to work with an abusive director.  However, I am a pretty strong person so, as long as it is nothing inappropriate, I am sure I could handle it. At the end of the day, work is work and sometimes you have to put on your professional cap and work with people you do not like.

Q: What else do you do?

A: I write here and there but other than that, this has really been a year of figuring out my life plan. I plan to continue acting training in New York in January, so I have not been able to take anything long-term. But I have kept myself busy.

Q: Among directors, theatre owners, and actors, who do you think should improve their attitude?

A: There is room for growth among all of us.  Directors, who have a better and more artistically open relationship with their actors would do wonders for everyone. Theatre owners investing more in their theatres would greatly help in increasing the public’s interest in theatre. There is always room for us as actors to grow and compete with other actors in the world over. There is no “I’ in theatre. We either fail together or improve and achieve greatness together.

Q: Single, available, dating, married?

A: Ha!Ha! I like to keep personal life personal.