Interview with Kaili Turner

Kaili Turner has literally been performing forever! She was that annoying kid that was always making up stories and songs, singing along, making up groups with her cousins, friends, sisters. Kaili remembers her dad was interviewed by the Local News one day. Kaili doesn’t even remember what it was for. Kaili was more concerned with them seeing her best friend at the time Tamarah, her sister Fari and Kaili do their rendition of En Vogue. It was dope because they actually watched, filmed it and they ended up in the local news too!!! Kaili Y. Turner never saw it, but others talked about it. She has always known she wanted to be a star Lol. Kaili was also in love with music; Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson were her idols and she wanted to be just like them.

Chillin w Sir James Lipton after my final performance of Fires in the Mirror he said it was brilliant!!! pic.twitter.com/coRVLNYr4b

— Kaili Y. Turner (@KailiYTurner) May 18, 2015

indieactivity: How did you become an actor?
Kaili:  As I previously mentioned I’ve always loved performing but I was more a singer. I also used to love basketball and although i played my final year of middle school, I played one year JV in highschool and then didn’t try out after getting cut the following year. So fast forward to undergrad, basketball was at the same time as chorus and I chose to pursue basketball looking back on it it was probably the wrong choice. But if I didn’t make that choice laugh probably would have had a different path. So I’m no longer singing, but I love to perform, and I also need to declare a major.

After pinning over the choices I realized the only thing I could really see myself happy with pursuing was theatre. I had done some theater on Cape Cod as an apprentice to the Oversoul Theatre Collective founded by Mwalim Peters. I really enjoyed it then. It was a much needed outlet from being the middle child in a big family pioneered by a single-parent. So I declared theatre my major wit a dance minor (I got moves on the dance floor).

The fam got to meet the goddess @elizabethKemp Fires wouldn’t had been the same without her❤❤❤ pic.twitter.com/5Dy1iSMmpP

— Kaili Y. Turner (@KailiYTurner) May 18, 2015

Acting in a since has saved my life a few times. Growing up in Mashpee, as one of the first Native reservations although not the traditional kind we would think off today. Today it is more of a close-knit community, where everybody knows everybody’s business. But with theatre I could step outside myself. I didn’t have to worry about the confines of Identity, the bullying from other Natives because i was mixed and looked Black. I could step outside myself, I could be somebody else. Then again after I had my son and was teaching for a renowned charter school in Boston. I felt stifled in that charter school. The same way I felt in Mashpee, I felt like I was bigger and meant for something more. I also had my fair share of bullying on the job.

Someone had gotten a promotion and power can sometimes go to people’s heads. This person whom I used to work side, by side with, was now making my life miserable and on purpose, to the point I had to involve HR. That same year I decided I wasn’t going back to teaching the following school year. My dad has also always pushed education and told me I needed more than what Boston could offer. So I researched the top graduate programs in the world. I settled on ten I would audition for.

Adri Alvarez Odio, Taylor Williams, Shayla Alamino, Erick Betancourt, Stefan Folkins, Ed Benson, Miray Beşli and kaili turner Actors Studio Grads

That year I lived between Boston, the Lucky Star Bus Company and New York mostly. I auditioned for ten programs including Yale, NYU, Circle in the Square, and ART/Harvard to name a few. I got rejection after rejection and life was looking grim. I was separated from my sons’ father, and our interactions were becoming volatile my job was “laying me off” the supervisor was still a jerk, and I was downtrodden until I checked the mail one day with 2 more answers left to receive. I got a letter, I had gotten into Circle in the Square!!

I had a final audition for the Actors Studio Drama School. I went in and met Elizabeth Kemp to whom I’ll be forever grateful. In minutes she had me balling my life out. I went in the room did the monologue and left. A woman came out 5 min later and whispered in my ear “you got in, but don’t say anything yet there are people in the waiting room, waiting to audition and some won’t make it”. I nodded, shocked. I left and screamed for joy, called my mom and son and shared the great news and again my life was spared, saved by art!!!

indieactivity: What acting technique do you use?
Kaili: I studied Method at the Actors Studio Drama School and in Susan Astons’ class we also used Meisner. Ultimately I believe when it comes to this beast called acting, you use what works for you! There have been times I used my craft and times I’ve used just the present moment. Whatever feels best or most present I guess.

The entire cast of Fk’d Up & Fabulous the Web Series (Creator Kaili Y. Turner)

indieactivity: What wrong impressions do actors hold about acting?
Kaili: I guess the only thing I would say is never compromise your integrity. That there is a market for whatever, whenever and you just have to find it, and that doesn’t have to cost you your integrity whether that’s a Weinstein moment or someone wanting you to make changes to something you feel passionately about. Each course is different. Then finally the method doesn’t mean physically or emotionally hurting yourself. That is not acting. That is something else. Again, respect yourself and your craft always, and love it. Love everything you do, life is too short.

indieactivity: Do you take courses to improve your craft?
Kaili: I definitely take courses. I recently finished Sketch 201 and Improv 201 at Upright Citizens Brigade. I’ll be looking to sign up to finish those classes out and move onto character. I’ve applied for playwriting labs, as a matter a fact I’m waiting to hear back about workshopping my play Indian Country right now. Courses are always great practice and opens my creativity. I’m planning to take some new acting courses come 2018 after the holidays. So, I’m excited. I’m always excited to learn and play with my craft.

indieactivity: What acting books do you read?
Kaili: I’m not reading any acting books right now, but a few books I want to read when I get a moment because I’m so busy with the webseries right now. It has really taken over my life. but I want to read Taraji P. Henson’s autobiography Think it’s entitled “Around The Way Girl”, I want to read Diana Ross Autobiography, I have a catalogue of plays I want to read. I have a lot to get too, but I’m big into continuing to learn and not always necessarily craft based books. Since I relate to Taraji and am a single-mom trying to make it in this business, like she once was I’ll probably learn more from her experiences, than an audition technique book. Its about life and life experience for me. I want to learn about experiences.

Kaili Turner with Nate Parker after the Birth of a Nation screening at Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival

indieactivity: How do you keep fit as an actor?
Kaili: I work out, I try to eat right at much as possible. My son and I actually went vegan in July 2017. It’s been a hard and we did cheat some on Thanksgiving (no meat though) mentally I thrive when my physical is right. When I work out it really helps me mentally as well. Running on the treadmill is some of the best ways for me to process or just get clarity. For me there is a huge connection between the two. When your physical is right, your mental is alright too.

Then when I have moments of darkness as we all do, I try to focus on the positive. How far I’ve come opposed to where I’m looking to be. I remind myself its a marathon, not a sprint and keep pushing forward. But take the time when needed. It’s important to have awesome relationships and to have those spa days or a massage from a loved one. Spending time with the people I care about always makes me feel good.

indieactivity: How do you prepare for a role?
Kaili: I always read the script many times. Each time I make a new discovery and find something new in the text. It really depends on the role. Of course I do my research, create my backstory, talk to the other characters and figure out relationships with them. I try to visit a space that is similar to where it takes place for instance a beach or park, the kitchen or a church.

I want to really create the space, make it my own and see what comes up for me viscerally in it as the character. I study my lines and get those down, but not how to say them, just what they are. I want to know my need or objective in the short term and long term so i know how to play the various scenes. A lot goes into character building and that’s just some. I did’t even get into the voice and walk, clothes I wear, etc. It’s a full process because I want to create a full life. I want to make sure as Elizabeth Kemp would say I truly honor my character.

Dennis Allen, Director Christopher Burris on the production of When We Wake Up Dead

indieactivity: How do you create a character in a script into an actual person?
Kaili: I think a lot of that for me is also part of preparing for a role once I get it. Everything I mentioned above and more. You know, What type of music do I like and how do I respond to it., What color is my character and why. What do other characters say about me, and what do I say about myself. I kind of go through all of these. I want to build a real person with their own wants and needs from the ground up. I could even start with whats my last name if the character doesn’t have one. I want to build a 3 dimensional person with a full life. You know, just like you and me.

indieactivity: How do you stay fresh on a production set?
Kaili: I think when your wearing many hats on set that can get difficult or if you just have a funny ass cast like mine. You can image how crazy my set gets when most of the cast are sketch comedians, a few stand-ups and then some all around dope actors with impeccable comedic timing. Hail to Black Jesus it can get lit, but as a director I have to keep us on course or try not to mess up the shot but dying laughing. Stay focused and remember the needs! What do I need and or want in this moment and how am I going to get it and then that takes on a life of it’s own.

indieactivity: Describe a memorable character you played?
Kaili: I’d like to believe that all the characters that I’ve played have been memorable, but some of the ones that I really loved playing and had so much fun creating were probably both from Anna DeVeare Smith play Fires in The Mirror which was my thesis for grad school. I played about 6 different characters and of those were Al Sharpton and Carmen Cato father of a slain child. Playing the iconic Al Sharpton I put a lot of pressure on myself. You know because he’s such a big personality and extremely distinct. I wanted the wig and I wanted to get his voice and mannerisms perfect.

To Karen With Love

I don’t know that I hit perfection, but I was extremely proud and got a lot of great feedback on my rendition. Carmen on the other hand was grieving and at the time my son was the same age his was, when he was hit by a car and killed. The emotion was easy. I just had to place myself in it, but again the voice, mannerisms and honoring of both him and his son was huge. I had a picture of Gavin Cato his son that was used in the performance and behind his picture I had a picture of my own son. It was intense.

indieactivity: Explain one creative choice you took on set?
Kaili: Lately I’ve been on set for my webseries and a choice that I made that just came about authentically was giving my character a interesting little quirk. Everyone has there thing and it took me a little bit to figure out what hers was. When I found it it was like Yess! This is it and now I have to find the continuity in it and make it a real thing for the character, not just a novelty. That was a cool choice brought on by my set designer too. I’m big into collaboration.

indieactivity: What do you want most from a director?
Kaili: Support and a clear vision. I want to be able to come to them with questions for clarity and them to be able to help me to achieve that. It helps me to be able to make sure I’m bringing out the director’s vision.

indieactivity: What actors do you long to work with?
Kaili: This is an unfair question because there are too many to name but off the top…Angela Bassett, Viola Davis, Phylicia Rashad OMG Qween Mothers and Aunties and Idris,

Objectify-Whitney Zanardi, Kaili Turner, Kimberly Lin Bova, Cristina Garcia, Miranda Plant & Osi Mizrahi at Rebel Verses!

indieactivity: Why?
Kaili: Why not Angela? She is an amazing beast of an actor. She has played some of the most iconic roles. What’s Love Got to Do With It is one of my favorite movies of all time. She is so poised, so strong in all her characters. I would learn so much from her. To play opposite her, to be in the the moment with Angela Bassett, can you say life goals.To be able to play opposite her and just take in her wisdom. I’m sure it’s like a master class

indieactivity: What advice would you give to actors?
Kaili: Be true to yourself, continue to work you craft and never be comfortable. I think when you get comfortable you lose your drive, and I want to keep my edge. I’m always working, and looking forward to what’s next.

indieactivity: Briefly write about your career?
Kaili: I just did a staged reading of my play Indian Country with New Voices in Theatre/Act Now Foundation. It was widely received I was very happy. It caught the attention of Eagle Project and I will be doing another reading with them in June. I’m finishing up filming the third episode of my web series Fk’d Up & Fabulous and then I’ll be hard at work on the bible and looking to shop it around.

I’was in a play called Faith Under Fire based on a true story. I’m also part of the sketch comedy group To Karen With Love. Back in April I helped to facilitate the Child-Actor Roundtable and the Actors Roundtable with New Voices in Black Cinemas Film Festival. I’m planting seeds. I’m always working, looking for my next project and to collaborate with others.

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