Leading up to the August 24‘ Change Makers’ benefit, as WAM celebrates its fifth season, we take a look back at the people who helped get us here.
For the past four years, Karen Lee has been actively involved with WAM as an actor, but above all, considers herself an intense enthusiast of the company. Very early on she could see Kristen’s vision and wholeheartedly believed in the special work being done, so seeing the company’s fifth anniversary means a lot to her. She is especially tied to her WAM community because of the growth she has experienced in her craft and has fond memories from almost every aspect of working on productions. She is looking forward to celebrating many more milestones with WAM.
How did you get involved with WAM? How long total?
I became involved with WAM in 2010, when I auditioned for Melancholy Play by Sarah Ruhl. It was WAM’s first fall production in Pittsfield at New Stage Performing Arts, and it was then that I first met I met Kristen, who cast me opposite Leigh Strimbeck in a role where I lose my sense of smell and turn into an almond. I also performed in two seasons of the 24 Hour Theater Project, a reading at the Richmond Library, and played Jelly in The Attic, The Pearls, and Three Fine Girls.
How do you feel about WAM turning five years old? What’s your hope for the next five?
From the very beginning, I told Kristen that WAM is way ahead of its time. I knew that she would turn it into one of the most important and influential companies in the theater community- the Berkshires and beyond. Kristen has been an inspiration on so many levels and amazes me with her energy and courage. She brought me to an entirely new level of understanding myself as an artist. Her passion, drive, and commitment made me believe that WAM would make a splash that would ripple far beyond those first days of trying to fill the seats with almonds to greet the guests for Melancholy Play. Martha Graham said, “No artist is ahead of his time. He is his time; its just that the others are behind the times.” I feel so lucky to be part of this burgeoning five-year-old sensation and look forward to more growth, auditioning for more life-changing roles, and to continue creating with a company that truly changes people’s lives. WAM’s double philanthropic mission and artistic integrity make us all who are a part of it sleep a little better at night.
What’s your favorite WAM memory?
Every single moment from rehearsal to the final performance of The Attic, The Pearls and Three Fine Girls. Rehearsing Melancholy Play at Leigh Stimbeck’s home in her yoga studio and performing passages of it on top of Mount Greylock at Bascom Lodge. And definitely jumping into Kristen’s swimming pool with my clothes on in honor of WAM.
What woman inspires you and why?
So many women inspire me but in the context of how I’ve lived my life as a true artist I would say Martha Graham has had the most profound influence. I started my performing career as a professional dancer and continue the same principles of discipline with any and all the work I do as an actor. “The only sin is mediocrity” and “learn by practice” are all mantras I grew up with and my work with WAM Theatre has completely embodied all of this and more.
What advice would you give to women who are just starting to establish themselves in their careers on how to claim their places confidently?
I believe in having a fire in the belly, in intuition, imagination and integration of all that is in our dreams into our waking life and fixing your course to a star and never giving up. I believe this for young women and young men. I encourage my own sons to live fully in their own skin and not be afraid to stand up for themselves. I teach them to take deep breaths and trust their instincts. I also teach them that we must have fun with our work and it’s worth the wait to do what you love so that every single morning when you face that beautiful image in the mirror you’re happy. I practice what I preach and say each day; “I know I can, I know I can. And if I can do this, I can do anything.”
Photo credit: Susan Geller