3 Minutes with Keri Kellerman

Photographing the artists of Intiman Theatre: 14 of 35

Q&A with Managing Director Keri Kellerman

PhotoSister: When you were young, did you imagine you would be on this particular journey in life? Why or why not?
Keri Kellerman: I knew I’d be doing something in the arts. The thing about art is that it needs to be shared. Turns out I’m often more excited by helping other people launch their creations into the world than I am about my own and that’s what drives me to do what I do.

PS: Who or what inspires you the most in your personal life?  And in your professional life?
KK: I love high and low culture equally so inspiration for me can come from ridiculous YouTube videos (I love you, Flynt Flossy) or a crushingly beautiful dance performance (hello, Kyle Abraham). These days, there isn’t much of a distinction between my personal and professional life and I’m lucky to be surrounded by the greatest team of dreamers, lovers and fighters, who also happen to be funny as hell.

PS: What is the one thing you splurge on for yourself?
KK: Cartoonishly big metal jewelry. It’s a sickness.

PS: What 3 countries would you like to visit and what would you like to experience while there?
KK: I’m dying to go to Berlin, although I realize that’s a city and not a country, so Germany, I guess. There is so much interesting work being made there right now and the intersection between the city’s past and its cultural scene is fascinating. I also have this weird thing for Iceland. Did you know they actually have a rainbow season? The geography there is just so weird and alien and I’d love to see it. I also love Bjork. Lastly, I’d love to spend a few weeks surfing in Costa Rica. Now would be ideal.

PS: What made you want to do theatre?
KK: Live performance is like crack to me. There’s nothing like the feeling of being completely present and focused and connected to an entire room of other people who, for that one moment, are bringing all their own experiences to that single place. It’s magic, born out of group of people – from playwrights, to actors, to directors, to designers, to audiences, and everyone in between.

PS: If you could have anyone in history to be on stage with, who would it be and what scene would you play out?
KK: You do not want me on stage. Trust me.

PS: What is your hidden talent (any party tricks)?
KK: Apparently I’m an open book who is incapable of hiding anything so, sadly, I have none.

PS: The Beatles or Elvis?
KK: Elvis is clearly the underdog in this race, so I’m going to root for him. And I love sequin jumpsuits and ridiculously large lapels.

PS: What is your favorite restaurant pick in Seattle and the best dish on the menu?
KK: Anything at Boat St. Cafe, especially in the summer when the outside deck is open and the twinkly lights are on.

PS: What do you fear the most?
KK: The ordinary.

PS: Who is your favorite superhero and/or supervillain?
KK: Glenn Close as Marquise Isabelle de Mertueil is one of my favorite villainesses. She also played a pretty mean Cruella de Ville, btw.

PS: What makes you happy?
KK: The amazing people I get to work with every single day. And Maker’s rocks.

PS: What kind of people do you surround yourself with?
KK: Jack Kerouac said it best: “The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing but burn, burn, burn like fabulous roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes ‘Awww!'”

PS: What personal adventure do you have in store for yourself this summer?
KK: Intiman Theatre Festival 2012! It’s going to be hot.

PS: What’s next on your horizon?
KK: Intiman Theatre Festival 2013! It’s going to be even hotter.

Go see Keri Kellerman’s work in “Romeo and Juliet,” “Dirty Story,” “Hedda Gabler,” and “Miracle!” at Intiman Theatre

Catch “Romeo and Juliet,” “Dirty Story,” “Hedda Gabler,” and “Miracle!” at Intiman Theatre in Seattle, July 11th – August 25th, 2012.