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| Nicolai and Nadia after The Robber Bridegroom |
During
the spring semester senior Theatre major Nicolai Kabana was assigned a 30-minute phone
interview with New York City-based professional actor Nadia Quinn as part of
Theatre 412: Advanced Acting. That phone call led to a meaningful connection
and an in-person meeting over the summer. We asked Nicolai to answer the
question, “What was it like to interview and to meet Nadia Quinn?”
When
we first got the assignment that we would be picking out of a hat a professional
theatre artist to do a phone interview with I was pretty excited. I never
really had the chance to have a one-on-one conversation with someone in the
professional world. I knew right from the start of the interview that she was
going to be completely honest with me about how things worked in the real
world.
Before
the interview took place I wrote out about fifteen questions that I wanted to
ask her. However, we really only made it through about five of them. The reason
for this was due to there being a great flow of conversation to the point that
questions became more expanded than I ever thought they would be. Even though
we didn’t get through all my questions she assured me that if I ever needed
someone to talk to about the world of theatre that I could always talk to her.
I found this to be very helpful that I could have someone to just talk to
outside of the class assignment that knows about what might be ahead for me. I
really took away from her how much she doesn’t limit herself in anything that
she does. She's not only an actor but also a singer, photographer, and writer. So
it was very nice to hear that you can do all these things and still act.
After
the interview took place I found myself drawn to wanting to see her in action
while she worked. From this I found myself starting to make plans to have her
take my headshots. I figured she would know best since she is not only the
photographer but an actor as well. Shortly after the interview took place I was
once again drawn to her work. So I decided I would go see the closing
performance of The Robber Bridegroom [at
Roundabout Theatre Company, an Off-Broadway production]. The show overall was
fantastic but getting to see her work first hand was by far the best part for
me.
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| Nadia Quinn and the ensemble of The Robber Bridegroom (credit: Joan Marcus) |
After
the show came to a close I went to the stage doors and even though I wasn’t on
the list she made it possible for me to meet her. It was by far one of the
coolest meetings I’ve ever had. She is such a talented woman and now one of my
inspirations. I look forward to seeing her work in the future because of her
talent but also for who she is as a person. I’ve learned a lot here at
Bloomsburg about what a professional really is but this experience with Nadia
overall will be something I will never forget. This project was such a great
way to make new contacts that I really hope this project becomes a yearly
thing. I am super thankful that David [Miller] created this project and for the chance
to get to know as well as meet such an amazing theatre artist.”
Nicolai
Kabana
For more about Nadia Quinn, visit http://www.nadiaquinn.com/. Nicolai graduated in May 2016, but will return to
Bloomsburg as an intern with Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble this coming season. To
learn more about the Theatre program at Bloomsburg University, visit http://bloomu.edu/theatre-dance.
