Kristin Conrad

What is your favorite role you’ve ever done?

I got to be The Mayoress in a new adaptation of (Henrik) Ibsen’s Brand. … That process, more than the specific role, was a really collaborative process. Working with new pages every day and working with this adaption collectively as an ensemble, we really got to create the world of that piece. And not to mention, it was a female authority figure in a time when those didn’t exist. And I love playing strong women.

How long have you been acting?

Professionally, like nine years. But I’ve acted since I was a very small child.

What do you enjoy most about acting?

Telling stories. I think the ability to tell stories and captivate an audience and really help them have a different lens for their lives or the lives around them. Enlightenment. Societal lensing is kind of what we do. Holding up a mirror to society and saying this is what we do well and this is what we suck at. And the study of human connection. 

Why did you choose to come to the graduate program at OU?

I wanted to come to OU because of the strength of the pedagogy and strength of the people and the relationships. When I started looking, I knew I wanted a Meisner-based (acting technique) program … From a movement and voice speech tenant, I knew I wanted to study viewpoints and suzuki and study Fitzmaurice Voicework — this program has all of that. On top of that, the people are awesome. The faculty’s interpersonal relationships; the realness of the faculty. I interviewed with Shelley and then we had a phone call for an hour and a half on a Friday afternoon. They’re real people and seemed interested in creating a strong cohort. And they’re invested and supportive of one another.

What are you hoping to get out of the program after three years?

A myriad of skills. All of that technical everything and a better well-tuned instrument as a whole. It roots down to more of an authentic use of myself. Entering this program, most of my work is very presentational and not as true and not as emotionally centered as I would like to achieve. With that, I would hope to graduate with a skill set that can garner employment across mediums. … Finding that well-rounded balance of skills, filling in some holes.

What’s a fun fact about you?

My work has taken me to all 50 states. It was with multiple companies … I spent a night or money in all 50 states.

See her as Naiad in The Penelopiad Oct. 14-17, 21-24