This is Kerrie. We met in the land of undergraduate studies at Pace University. She is a brilliant musical theatre actress who reminds me of Alice Ripley and will probably play the lead in "Next to Normal" at some point. Kerrie has her act together (can't say that about most people, haha). I worked with her many times on shows in college and now we're thrilled to have her as part of the COTE Ensemble. She will be appearing in our upcoming radio play series. You can learn more about Kerrie on her website at http://www.kerriebond.com/ or follow her adventures in NYC at http://www.thegoodkerrie.blogspot.com/.1. Who Are You
Kerrie Bond by name. Actress/singer/thinker by trade. Oh, and blacksmith.
2. What do you believe in?
I believe in the universe and it's power to give to you what you give to it. I believe in being open to what life has to bring - I believe, more than anything, in the total wonder of being an incomplete person. That way, there is always room to grow and learn. When one gap in yourself fills up, another is left open to find what it needs. I don't strive to be perfect, I only strive to keep striving. If that makes any sense at all!
3. What kind of change do you want to see? Where do you see yourself fitting into your idea for change?
Maybe more than anything, I'd like to see people stepping up to the plate as individuals. It would be refreshing to see everyone really take an active role in their own lives and in the world around them - taking responsibility for the things they've done, the things they're going to do, and the things they want to gain. Knowing that while they are the star of their own lives, they need to act as supporting characters to those around them. (That might be the cheesiest thing I've ever said!) This requires a whole set of skills and qualities that I'm only just beginning to understand myself - empathy, understanding, openness, willing to step back for others and knowing when to step up for yourself, motivation, passion, the ability to accept what you're given and use it to your advantage, willingness to always be learning, courage, a sense of humor...
4. If your life had a soundtrack what would be on it?
Before my iPod busted, I used to have a playlist that I listened to anytime I stepped foot outside - it was a whole mix of contemporary musical theatre, Alanis Morisette, Adele, Lauren Kennedy, Chantal Kreviazuk, Loudon Wainwright III. My soundtrack would be composed of all those people, a ton of musical theatre (mostly Jason Robert Brown, Stephen Sondheim, Adam Guettel, Michael John LaChiusa...). And a lot of Green Day. Amanda Palmer. Oh, and The Killers. Maybe Evanescence, depending on my mood. And Jewel! I'm going to stop now.
5. If you could be doing anything with your life right now what would it be?
Acting/singing/performing/creating a lot more than I am now. I would love to just be able to make a living off of that alone. Leave my day job, and focus on what I love. Me, my amazing, boyfriend, and our dog. And maybe 3 more dogs. Because I'd obviously have a bigger place in my perfect world. However, I know that I have to work to get all of these things. And with that knowledge, I'm really quite content where I am. Small apartment and all.
6. I Can't Live Without...
Mike. My friends. .....my computer, with internet.
7. What are you craving right now? Kerrie Bond by name. Actress/singer/thinker by trade. Oh, and blacksmith.
2. What do you believe in?
I believe in the universe and it's power to give to you what you give to it. I believe in being open to what life has to bring - I believe, more than anything, in the total wonder of being an incomplete person. That way, there is always room to grow and learn. When one gap in yourself fills up, another is left open to find what it needs. I don't strive to be perfect, I only strive to keep striving. If that makes any sense at all!
3. What kind of change do you want to see? Where do you see yourself fitting into your idea for change?
Maybe more than anything, I'd like to see people stepping up to the plate as individuals. It would be refreshing to see everyone really take an active role in their own lives and in the world around them - taking responsibility for the things they've done, the things they're going to do, and the things they want to gain. Knowing that while they are the star of their own lives, they need to act as supporting characters to those around them. (That might be the cheesiest thing I've ever said!) This requires a whole set of skills and qualities that I'm only just beginning to understand myself - empathy, understanding, openness, willing to step back for others and knowing when to step up for yourself, motivation, passion, the ability to accept what you're given and use it to your advantage, willingness to always be learning, courage, a sense of humor...
4. If your life had a soundtrack what would be on it?
Before my iPod busted, I used to have a playlist that I listened to anytime I stepped foot outside - it was a whole mix of contemporary musical theatre, Alanis Morisette, Adele, Lauren Kennedy, Chantal Kreviazuk, Loudon Wainwright III. My soundtrack would be composed of all those people, a ton of musical theatre (mostly Jason Robert Brown, Stephen Sondheim, Adam Guettel, Michael John LaChiusa...). And a lot of Green Day. Amanda Palmer. Oh, and The Killers. Maybe Evanescence, depending on my mood. And Jewel! I'm going to stop now.
5. If you could be doing anything with your life right now what would it be?Acting/singing/performing/
6. I Can't Live Without...
Mike. My friends. .....my computer, with internet.
Honestly, at this exact moment in time? Pizza.
8. Talk about a piece or art, performing arts, music or writing that changed your life...
This is going to sound totally trite now that it has become a huge phenomenon in Broadwayland, but oh well - not even a month after I moved to New York City, my friend Kadey and I visited NYMF (the New York Musical Theatre Festival) to see a little show called Feeling Electric. We bought tickets months in advance, after just having met at orientation. I refer to this piece of theatre as a kind of validation for me. I had just moved to this insanely scary city. And while it had always been my dream, I had no idea what I was doing. Apart from Kadey and few other orientation friends, I wasn't connecting with anyone in my musical theatre department, I missed my best friend, I hated my dorm and my roommate... and then I saw Feeling Electric and knew that I had done the right thing. Sitting in that tiny black box theatre witnessing this totally raw and moving piece of theatre, it couldn't have been more clear that this was where I was meant to be. Feeling Electric later turned into Next to Normal, and, well, the rest is history there. But I'll always see it as the show that changed my life, even if it only gave it direction. Its success only validates me more.
9. What motivates you to do what you do?
A lot of different things on different days. Sometimes it's the people who say I can't. Most of the time it's the people who say I can. It's the passion for what I love, the knowledge that there is something that I am good at, the incredible support system I've managed to build for myself. The desire to show people I'm more than what I appear. The desire to connect with the world in a totally inspiring and unique way.
10. If you were best friends with any historical figure who would it be and why?
Harvey Milk. Or Margaret Sanger! Both inspired and changed the world around them.
11. If you were a character in your favorite fictional storyline (this could include a book, play, film, television series etc.) what would it be? How would your character be intertwined within the story line that already exists?
Well, this HAS to be Friends. If I could just be the 7th friend in their group, I could die happy. A nice mix between Monica and Phoebe. Neurotic like Monica, weird like Phoebe, and then a little of myself thrown in. Maybe I'd collaborate with Phoebe musically. Flesh out Smelly Cat a little. Maybe even write a sequel about a dog! The cat and dog could become friends. Oh, and all I'm saying is... Chandler wouldn't have married Monica. ;)
12. Talk about a defining moment of your life. Wh
at happened? What did you take away from it?
I feel like there have been so many in the journey so far - a lot of little things that change my life's direction, or my perception of things, or the way I approach situations. The biggest one I can think of was a little over 4 years ago when my grandpa died. I was my first experience with the death of someone close to me, and it shook up my whole world - only in ways I really didn't expect. It was then that I really adapted a mindset of the "journey" - of taking charge of things and being open to not being complete. Supporting those around me. Connecting with the people I love the most. I was a whole domino affect of realizations and new ideas about life. I was listening to a lot of Michael John LaChiusa's "Little Fish" that summer - "I never realized what we had to fight for and protect. The only way we live beyond our lives is to connect, and carve ourselves into the souls of those we love."
This is going to sound totally trite now that it has become a huge phenomenon in Broadwayland, but oh well - not even a month after I moved to New York City, my friend Kadey and I visited NYMF (the New York Musical Theatre Festival) to see a little show called Feeling Electric. We bought tickets months in advance, after just having met at orientation. I refer to this piece of theatre as a kind of validation for me. I had just moved to this insanely scary city. And while it had always been my dream, I had no idea what I was doing. Apart from Kadey and few other orientation friends, I wasn't connecting with anyone in my musical theatre department, I missed my best friend, I hated my dorm and my roommate... and then I saw Feeling Electric and knew that I had done the right thing. Sitting in that tiny black box theatre witnessing this totally raw and moving piece of theatre, it couldn't have been more clear that this was where I was meant to be. Feeling Electric later turned into Next to Normal, and, well, the rest is history there. But I'll always see it as the show that changed my life, even if it only gave it direction. Its success only validates me more.
9. What motivates you to do what you do?A lot of different things on different days. Sometimes it's the people who say I can't. Most of the time it's the people who say I can. It's the passion for what I love, the knowledge that there is something that I am good at, the incredible support system I've managed to build for myself. The desire to show people I'm more than what I appear. The desire to connect with the world in a totally inspiring and unique way.
10. If you were best friends with any historical figure who would it be and why?
Harvey Milk. Or Margaret Sanger! Both inspired and changed the world around them.
11. If you were a character in your favorite fictional storyline (this could include a book, play, film, television series etc.) what would it be? How would your character be intertwined within the story line that already exists?
Well, this HAS to be Friends. If I could just be the 7th friend in their group, I could die happy. A nice mix between Monica and Phoebe. Neurotic like Monica, weird like Phoebe, and then a little of myself thrown in. Maybe I'd collaborate with Phoebe musically. Flesh out Smelly Cat a little. Maybe even write a sequel about a dog! The cat and dog could become friends. Oh, and all I'm saying is... Chandler wouldn't have married Monica. ;)
12. Talk about a defining moment of your life. Wh
at happened? What did you take away from it?I feel like there have been so many in the journey so far - a lot of little things that change my life's direction, or my perception of things, or the way I approach situations. The biggest one I can think of was a little over 4 years ago when my grandpa died. I was my first experience with the death of someone close to me, and it shook up my whole world - only in ways I really didn't expect. It was then that I really adapted a mindset of the "journey" - of taking charge of things and being open to not being complete. Supporting those around me. Connecting with the people I love the most. I was a whole domino affect of realizations and new ideas about life. I was listening to a lot of Michael John LaChiusa's "Little Fish" that summer - "I never realized what we had to fight for and protect. The only way we live beyond our lives is to connect, and carve ourselves into the souls of those we love."
13.Talk about the best day ever.
Spending the whole day with my boyfriend. Go somewhere unique and casual that serves really good food that magically has no calories or fat. Sunny day, but no humidity. See a show. Walk the dog. Meet up with friends. Nothing complicated. Just a simple day with things I love. And, okay, winning the lottery.
14. Who is/are your heroes?
This is in no particular order: My amazing boyfriend for always being there. My best friend for being the smartest person I know. My dog. Bradley Whitford. Amanda Palmer. My grandpa.
For more photos of Kerrie, visit: http://www.photoblog.com/ashleymarinaccio/2010/09/22/
