After four years of theater at Marlborough, Miranda ’17 is playing Prospero in The Tempest from Thursday, Nov. 4 through Saturday, Nov. 5. Previously, Miranda performed in The BFG, Into the Woods, Mr. Burns, and It’s a Girl. Kang joined a theater class upon starting at Marlborough in the 9th Grade, when she didn’t have any experience with drama, and was originally too intimidated to audition for productions.
“When we had to audition for the Middle School play, The BFG, I didn’t audition because I was too scared, but Ms. Bauer encouraged me to audition. I ended up auditioning during callbacks, and I got in the play and I played the BFG!” Miranda said.
After Performing Arts Co-Department Head Gleason Bauer’s encouragement, Kang took part in The BFG. Bauer said that she encouraged Kang to audition for The BFG because she recognized Kang’s eagerness to learn new things and risk failing.
“What caused me to encourage Miranda to audition for The BFG was not some misguided notion that she was a star, but rather that she worked hard, seemed hungry to learn, was willing to take risks and fail… Miranda’s dedication to and delight in the process of her training is in large part also what has allowed her to take on the role of Prospero,” said Bauer, who is also the Producer for The Tempest.
Miranda’s experience in The BFG led her to play an active part in theater. Kang said that during The BFG, performing arts instructor and play director Lizi Watt also encouraged her to pursue theater because of her supportiveness and the way she made acting fun and let Kang explore it.
Miranda said that in The Tempest, exploring Prospero’s motives helped her approach the character.
“I think Prospero is going to come off as a very uncharismatic character to some people, but as an actor, I find that her choices are justified. I find it very helpful to map out my objectives, what I, as Prospero, want to accomplish in each scene,” Miranda said.
After The BFG, Miranda performed as Cinderella’s father and the giant in Into the Woods, the filmmaker in the Drama Ensemble production It’s a Girl, and in Mr. Burns. Miranda said that each production and the characters she played were a new experience for her, as is her current role.
“It’s a Girl was an unscripted play, so creating the filmmaker was a longer process…Prospero in The Tempest is hard core and cares a lot for the people around her, but she’s very angry, very different from the BFG, who’s kind,” Miranda said.
Miranda said that she has grown from her experience in theater at Marlborough.
“I think it’s made me more open and confident, and being a part of the theater community has brought me closer to people whom I probably would never have spoken to,” Miranda said.
Miranda ’17 stars as Prospero in The Tempest from Nov. 3-5 starting at 7 pm in Caswell Hall.
