1.You've been playing
Katharine Hepburn now for over three years. Are you still learning about
her? Is she still surprising you? Is there anyone else whose life you would
like to explore, and subsequently play? – Brenda
I am continually learning
about Katharine Hepburn, which makes playing her a constant challenge –
she continues to inspire and delight me. Would love to play the great Italian
actress, Eleonora Duse.
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2. Hi I'm Nina
from Denmark, my question for Kate is: If you could wish for anything in
the world, what would it be? It has to be something for you!
The well-being and
personal growth of my sons and the health and happiness of my husband.
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3. Was there one
moment on Voyager where Kate's Janeway and the writer's Janeway were in
complete harmony? I am trying to ask what was the quintessential Janeway
scene or moment? The moment that you felt the audience was seeing
the whole Janeway as you understand her and want her to be understood.
– jc
“Counterpoint” with Mark Harelik. This episode
revealed Janeway/Mulgrew at her creative best and gave me great satisfaction.
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4. From the captivating
Book 'The Right Words at the Right Time' by Marlo Thomas, my question to
Kate is just that - Was there a moment when words made all the difference
- something that someone has said which stayed with you a lifetime and
maybe changed your life forever? Would you share that moment and
those words with us? Thank you – Karen
My mentor, Stella Adler, told me when I was
very young: “Only the work will lift you up!” She was right.
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5. My question
- What's the one thing you would do each day just for yourself, if you
had the time and energy once you've looked after everyone else? – casper
Prepare the evening meal – I am a serious
amateur and love the therapeutic/challenging aspects of cooking a great
meal, served to loved ones.
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6. Could you please
ask Kate this Question? - We all know that many young aspiring actors
and actresses have asked you for advice on a career in acting, if you could
meet one person that you have never known previously about acting who would
it be (besides Katharine Hepburn) and what would you ask? Christi from
Iowa
Eleonora Duse and I would ask: Is suffering
inherent in the craft? How does one find truth without fear?
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7. At the end of
"Tea at Five", Hepburn reflects on what she'd change about her life if
she could have an alternate reel, and her answer is "Not a goddamn thing".
When you look back on your life and career up to this point, is there anything
you wish you had done differently? What would you like to change if you
could have that alternate reel? ~Sabine
I’m with Katharine Hepburn – “Not a goddamn
thing” – philosophically, life unfolds as it must.
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8. In 40 years
when someone is producing a one-woman play, in two acts, on the life of
Kate Mulgrew:
What should be the title
of the play?
“Split Focus”
At what age should the
first act occur and what should it focus on?
Early 30’s – children & career
At what age should the
second act occur and what should it focus on?
Late 40s – marriage and career
Where should the play
take place?
L.A. and New York City
Which actress will be
starring in the play?
Someone breathtaking beautifully and heart-stoppingly
talented.
Will you go to see it?
No, I’ll be dead.
SallyJ
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9. - I've read
recently that you are going to take some time out for yourself & Tim.
How long does it normally take for you to get restless to be doing something
again?
Normally 24 hours. This year, so far, I’m
much more relaxed.
Now that one of
your sons has decided to go into acting, would you like to work with him?
Absolutely, if he’s earned his stripes.
If you could be
any animal, what one would you be?
An otter: I once watched a documentary and
learned that otters are always happy, in any season, in any act of play
or work.
And just for the laugh,
- If you (as Janeway) were to face Seven of Nine in a "Celebrity Deathmatch"
- who would win?
She would, by default.
Thanks
Olivia Fitzgerald
Dublin, Ireland
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10. In preparing
for "Tea at Five" you've said that you believe the defining moment of Ms.
Hepburn's life was the death of her brother. What has been *the* defining
moment of your life?
Thanks,
Therese
Probably the death of my sister, Tess, when
I was 18 years old.
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11. What do you
love most about your home? – Beth
My mother’s paintings. My photos. The view.
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12. I recently
attended the staged reading of Schiller's "Mary Stuart" at Classic Stage
Company in New York. I'd be interested to hear your opinions about staged
readings as a form of performance.
They are really showcases and are meant to
determine the “doability” of the piece as a full production.
Among the questions
that occur to me -- As an actor, what do you do differently to prepare
for a staged reading as opposed to a performance that will use full blocking,
sets, and costumes? (Besides not having to memorize lines and complex
blocking, I mean.) Is a staged reading more difficult in certain
ways than a full performance (minimized gestures and body language, less
direct interaction with other actors, etc?)
No, a staged reading is only fun because
no one is being judged and the sky’s the limit.
In terms of Schiller's
play, it struck me that "Mary Stuart" might actually work better as a reading
than as full production. It's a play of "talk," full of complicated
court intrigue and elaborate language, with some of the most dramatic events
(such as Mary's death) taking place offstage. Do you think it would
be a success if fully staged?
Certainly, which was the intention.
I enjoyed the performance
very much.
Thank you.
Mary McConnell
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13. What is your
greatest extravagance? – Dottie
Flowers, flowers everywhere.
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14. Here are my
questions for Kate:
Each performance of
Tea at Five can be so different depending on the day of the week, matinee
or evening show, snow storm, etc. How quickly can you tell how "good"
the house is? Does it change even from Act One to Act Two?
I can judge the responsiveness of the house
almost immediately and then it just grows.
You seem to "inhabit"
Kate Hepburn so much more deeply now, with subtle pauses in the first act
(on the couch drinking your tea; at the ottoman stage right). And
I so thoroughly enjoy your "chuckles" as you reach for the bottle (Scotch?)
to freshen up your cup in the second act. At what point were you
comfortable enough to add these touches? Were they added in collaboration
with Matthew Lombardo (playwright/producer) or John Tillinger(director)?
Or are they you enjoying "being" Kate? - Carol LaPlante
These subtle “touches” simply evolved as
my performance deepened in truth and confidence and were, I hope, satisfactory
to Matthew Lombardo and John Tillinger.
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15. If you were
given a $100 gift certificate, what store would you spend it in? And do
you have a favorite article of clothing or jewelry? – Kelly
Barnes & Noble - Books.
My engagement band.
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16. Several part
question I guess. Kate, have you been able to see The Aviator, if so what
do you think of Cate Blanchett's performance as Hepburn? Do you think she
was able to portray Hepburn without being an impersonation? Being
that you are so intimate with the Hepburn character, do you think Blanchette
gave her the vulnerability that you yourself have been able to portray.
Has her portrayal or anything in The Aviator changed how you play the character?
If you haven't see it do you plan to and why or why not? - Cina
Judge not, lest ye be judged! I thought she
was grand and very brave.
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17. Is there anything
that fans do that you wish they wouldn't? or something a fan has done that
you wish s/he hadn't. It may be something that is bothersome that we may
not even realize is a problem. I'd like to know and I'm sure others would
so we don't do it, ever. Don't bring calla lillies to the stage door or
whatever?? Janesway79
Oh, please, bring on the calla lilies – I
have no criticism of this, the most generous fan base in the world.
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18. -How do you
feel right after ending the second scene, when you leave Hepburn and go
back to be just yourself, more like relieved or is there a tiny "ache"
for leaving her alone up there?
Relieved, drained, exalted, all at once.
I know you tend to prefer
warmer weather to cold but have you ever made an angel in the snow? - Emma
Many, many times – wouldn’t it be lovely
to go out that way?
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19. What makes
you nostalgic? What do you miss most about being a child? And if you nag
your kids, or if they think you do, what do you nag them about? – Merl
Nostalgia: Mother and Dad and Derby Grange,
drinks under a full moon, soft music and laughter. I nag about mediocrity
and everything it implies.
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20. First, thank
you for taking the time to answer our questions. I would like to
ask what becoming a star, the focus of so much attention, interest, and
admiration, has been like for you. Was stardom sudden and surprising
for you or did it seem a natural and gradual development of your career?
How do you cope with it? Has celebrity changed you, changed how you
see yourself or how you see others, changed how you live your life? - Amy
Sudden stardom – how odd. I see myself as
a working actress who is continually challenged to find and do good work
and whose celebrity is merely a means to go deeper and help others.
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