An Interview with Actress Kathryn Miller

This Orlando Shakes spotlight falls on Kathryn Miller soon to be performing in the Theater’s production of The Great Gatsby as Daisy Buchanan.

Before stepping foot on an Orlando Shakes stage, Miller was a core company actor at a non-equity Shakespeare company in Pennsylvania for three years. A few of the roles she took on during her time there were Ophelia in Hamlet, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Isabella in Measure for Measure, Gwendolyn in The Importance of Being Ernset, Hero in Much Ado About Nothing, and Rivkeh Lev in My Name Is Asher Lev.

Miller began her tenure at Orlando Shakes as a Acting and Education intern in 2015. She was attracted to the program due to “the impressive reputation of Orlando Shakes, as well as the equity points program that they offered.” She went on to say the opportunity, “afforded (her) to be in a number of shows, earn Actors’ Equity points, take classes, and teach children all in one season.”

When asked about her most memorable experience as an Orlando Shakes intern, Miller brought up being in Monty Python’s SPAMALOT, and playing Nina in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. These experiences gave her the opportunity to learn Broadway choreography and be surrounded by talented casts and crews that taught her a great deal throughout the season.

Kathryn Miller as Nina in “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.”

Now that she’s moved on from being an intern and is currently a lead in Orlando Shakes production of The Great Gatsby, Miller reminisces on her transition to where she is now:

“Orlando Shakes and the people who work here became my home. It’s a truly wonderful feeling to return to a place where I’ve received such kindness and support. I’m so deeply grateful and honored to play this role.”

As both intern and now featured performer, Miller has had the opportunity to work with many of the creative leaders at Orlando Shakes in different contexts. One of those people is Anne Hering, Director of Education at Orlando Shakes. Miller has known Hering as both “Education Director” and as “Director of The Great Gatsby.” Along with those main distinctions, Miller has also interacted with Hering as “teacher, supervisor, fellow actor, and director.” She says, “all have been exceptional experiences and it’s been a thrill to bring (Daisy) to life with her.”

The Great Gatsby has been produced many times in many different ways. But that doesn’t keep Miller disinterested, quite the contrary:

“At the end of the day, we have approximately two hours to tell a story. Finding Daisy within this play has been thrilling and is ever-evolving. In these rehearsals, I’m continuing to find nuances in each moment with the other actors on stage. Daisy is a complex character and my hope is to find her truth and play it honestly.”

Kathryn Miller as Daisy Buchanan in “The Great Gatsby.”

In order to prepare for such a role, Miller watched 1920’s documentaries, research various facts and works of F. Scott Fitzgerald, searched for examples of Louisville accents, and last but certainly not least, actually read The Great Gatsby. All of this, and more, go along with preparing for a role.

“An actor is never done researching background for their role,” Miller said. “In creating the life and world of a character, there will always be more to discover.”

Sincerely,
Kayla Jean Mraz, Orlando Shakes Marketing Intern