Video: Tony Nominee Kara Young Wants to Change Your Mind and Make You Think
May 17, 2024
The last two years have been something else for Kara Young. Not only did she make her Broadway debut (Clydes, 2021), but she returned to Broadway just months later (Cost of Living, 2022) and earned Tony nominations for both performances. In this video, watch as Kara chat more about her latest role.
Show More Show Less View Video Transcript
0:00
Hello, I'm Richard Ridge for Broadway World
0:08
One of the seasons most talked about breakout performances is Kara Young as Jess in Martina
0:14
Myoak's Cost of Living at MTC. And I caught up with Kara here at the Museum of Broadway
0:22
First of all, I am thrilled to see you and be sitting with you here at the Museum of Broadway
0:26
Me too! I, every time I see you, you have the best clothes, the best shoes
0:32
Thank you so much. You always give me the best compliments on my clothes. I feel every time I see you, I always feel much better about what I'm wearing, always
0:41
I always went into you somewhere like, I'm like, what are you doing on 403rd? Oh, I'm in between a reading
0:45
I'm like, you know, right? We always run into each other on the street. It's true. It's true. You know, you gave one of the finest performances in cost of living this season
0:56
how special was that show for you to work on? First, thank you so much
1:04
It was incredibly special to work on. It was, you know, Martina Mayoke is a first-generation American
1:11
and Jess was a first-generation American. And, you know, it's as if, like, Jess is holding so much of her mother with her
1:23
and all of the hard work that her mother did to get her to where she, you know, an Ivy League education
1:30
And, you know, our parents do so much for us. And I'm also a first-gen American
1:35
So it was very meaningful to me to pay homage to that character, to all of the characters of the world
1:44
of being first-gen's in the world, and knowing how hard our parents have just done everything they can to give us a foundation
1:53
to give us life, to make life comfortable. Okay, you take a role and you just inhabit it
2:00
I mean, I watched everything you've done in New York since your Labyrinth days and everything else
2:05
But, I mean, what attracted you to cost of living in Jess? Because, like I said, you became Jess, Jess became you
2:11
What was it? What's that connection? Oh, man, you know, there's so many similarities
2:16
but there's so many differences. And, no, I'm not an Ivy League grad. I'm not as smart as Jess
2:21
but there was something about like the hard work of and there's a part of her that's very selfless
2:33
I mean I'd like to think that the act of doing this work on the in the theater is is
2:44
ultimately a selfless act when we do plays like cost of living because it doesn't
2:51
takes so much out of you, but you know that you're giving a voice to a life that is usually
2:58
kind of thrown under the rug and nobody gets to see. I mean, and, and, and, and, and
3:04
Martina Mayoke is such a genius because that, that entire play to me, and it's about many other
3:11
things, um, but it's the capitalistic structure within our world and when people are
3:19
actually in need of each other. and the and like the the the it's almost like like the core of what it means to be
3:31
needed to be wanted to be seen to be heard to be taken care of what intimacy is
3:37
so I feel like you know all of the actors including Martina and Joe
3:43
Bonnie giving themselves over to this play in the way that you know
3:47
Jobonny's been developing this play and and and my my My incredible scene partner, Greg Mosgala
3:54
has, and Katie Sullivan have been a part of this play for so long
3:58
that it's like beyond about me, or it's about the work. And how that particular play has shifted so many people's
4:12
just like their core of what humanity is to them. People walked out and was like, I want to
4:19
can I give you a hug? Like, you know, to each other, like random strangers
4:25
And then we had one night, we had a caretaker night. And that was one of the most special things
4:30
It was one of the, for those people to be seen and heard was
4:38
you almost think like that's the reason why we do what we do, you know, for people to have visibility
4:44
Yeah. I didn't need you make you cry. No, it's just get so deep
4:49
It always gets so deep. It's such a moving piece. You mentioned your co-stars
4:54
Then David added to the mid-deal. And David, David, Day is, oh, my God, he's like my theater uncle
4:58
I love him so much. And, you know, I know David and Liza through the Labyrinth Theater Company, and they've been so
5:04
supportive of everything since I've known them. And to be in a play with him was just, it was a dream come true
5:13
And to see him work was every night was just so special
5:18
How are you able to leave the emotional, journey you take in this show. How are you able to leave it at the stage door at the end of each night
5:25
That a really that a that a really great question because I almost feel like throughout the years I feel like I take a little bit of everyone with me It hard to let them go because I feel so a part of them
5:46
And, you know, it's so challenging to try to fill a whole human life within two and a half hours
5:53
you know, without an intermission, you know, or like, however long plays are
5:58
But sometimes I don't even know, like, how long the run is. but it's a challenging thing to let them go
6:05
I still get revelatory moments in my eyes, like, oh, my God
6:10
like still sort of exploring. Because I was going to ask you, what unlocked Jess for you
6:17
Like I said, you become her, she becomes you, and that's the hardest thing for an actor, I'm sure
6:21
to find that balance of, like, the audience thinks I'm this person, right
6:27
Don't you think? Yeah, well, I don't know. even know how to answer that because I almost feel like I'm in car I would like to believe that
6:37
I'm in constant discovery and wanting to dissect as much as possible because like I said before
6:43
it's really hard to honor a life a whole life in just the moments that you see them in the scenes
6:49
that you see them so I'm constantly thinking about what they're doing outside of this like
6:55
you know like the I guess it's sort of like a basic actor exercise
7:01
of where they're coming from, where they're going, and what their entire day has looked like
7:07
Before they got there. Before they got there. How much money does she have right when she walks in the door
7:13
How much money does she know she's going to make when she does this job? The fact that it's off the books
7:19
You know, when she was five years old, what her teacher was like
7:26
Who were the people that nurtured her? Who are the people that made her feel
7:30
grand, who are the people that made her feel low? I feel like it's just a, it never stops until the last performance
7:38
And then in my head, it just doesn't stop because it's just, they're just here and, you know
7:47
Yeah. All right, having your playwright and Joe Bonnie. Oh my God, Joe Bonnie
7:54
Had you worked with her before? No, this was the first time. And I, I mean
8:00
I mean, Joe Bonnie is like, like, I like to, she has like a paintbrush and it's like really, really, she has like a big one and then like a like a bunch of little ones
8:12
And she's just so like it's just very, the very littlest thing can really shift the entire story of that scene or of that moment
8:24
And it's like the, it's just, she's wonderful. She's an artist. Yeah, I think her history is like she has a history as an artist
8:34
She has a history obviously as a director, but Joe Bonnie is the real one
8:39
Yeah. She's a real one, for real. You know, you were talking about Labyrinth. How life-changing was it becoming a member of Labyrinth Theater Company
8:47
So many incredible people. So many great writers. So many great roles for you
8:51
Wow. There are people, those people, I look up to those people so much
8:57
And, you know, I have to shout out my late mentor, Craig Mums Grant, who was the person who introduced me to Lab
9:07
And, you know, he was like my big brother. And he really kind of took me under his wing
9:12
And at the time, I was very, very green. But, you know, Craig introduced me to a world that I would have never entered if it wasn't for him
9:24
To know those playwrights, to know, to know. those actors, to know those directors, to know those people that, you know, Labyrinth feels like a place
9:33
where they're really helping to cultivate the best artist that you can be across the board. Yeah
9:41
You know, and by, like, almost by any means necessary, like, you need to do your best
9:49
And, like, what is the, what is the deepest truth that you can find
9:53
Because that's where we're going to move from, you know? Yeah, but look at the people you work with there
9:59
I mean, you have Stephen Adlerges, Halfway Biches, Go Straight to Heaven
10:03
Jeff Augustine's, the New Englanders, C.A. Johnson's, all the Natalie Portman's. Oh, my God
10:09
Well, yes, Jeff. So I, so, so, um, the New Englanders, I was workshopping for about four years before it got a production
10:17
Four years. Yeah, yeah. Oh, my God. And, and I mean, that calf
10:21
Oh, man, Crystal Finn. I just, I, I, I'm in love with, like
10:26
everybody that I work with. And then CA Johnson's, all the Natalie Portman's
10:30
I was workshopping that play for about three years before it got a production
10:34
And the incredible Kate Lariskey. And, I mean, and CA as a writer, I
10:42
oh man, I get revelations about Keanu all the time. I really put you on the map that show
10:47
Oh, man, that show. And Elise Kibler and Joshua Boone and Rennika, Danielle Williams
10:55
I mean, just so many, and Montego Glover. Oh my God, just so many incredible people
11:01
I can't, I, it's, I, my brain is like, sometimes I'm like, wait, what
11:06
Like how How How Yeah Because like I really I look up to everybody that I work with because they such beautiful artists So beautiful
11:18
Then there's Lynn Notage as Clydes. Oh my God, and Lynn Notage
11:22
Broadway debut for you? My Broadway debut. In a Lynn Notage play
11:28
Opposit who? Uzo Aduba. Ron Seethes Jones, Edmund Donovan, Reza Salazar. Yeah. Brilliant
11:40
And you got to make sandwiches. And I got to make sandwiches. So you're a chef now. You put that on your resume, right
11:44
Listen, I, Sue, Chef. I will cut some vegetables for you because that was the practice, remember? Wow
11:54
That play was incredible. I mean, working with Linnaudge was really, really, really, really special to me, for me
12:02
for like, just like what, just that moment and being with you
12:07
with her, like Lynn Notage came to rehearsal every single day, if you can imagine, while working
12:12
on MJ the musical and intimate apparel, the opera, every day. That's what she does
12:20
That's what she does. And so much more, and she's always working
12:25
And to me, that's just like the work just never stops. Never stops
12:32
And she was working on that play for years, you know? It's just
12:36
she probably left with so much creative energy at leaving your rehearsal room to go home to work on MJ or to work at legitimate apparel saying look what I learned today watching you all make magic we have to talk about your dad my dad I love him so much I have known your dad for years because I've done well I've been in this business for over 25 years and we used to cover all these incredible things at the rainbow room yeah so thinking to myself he's always he's served me he's looked out for me he's sat me he's looked out for me every time I've gone there oh my goodness he's gonna love him
13:06
I love this. All right, but I have to ask you about him because I love your initials. Yes
13:12
So your full name is what? Kara Aaron Young. Okay, and the initials stand for what
13:18
Well, so my father also, my father and my brother, my brother is junior
13:23
And so we all have K-E-Y. And my father, he says that you are the key to your own destiny
13:32
You create your world. the key to open the doors to your world
13:38
And so he's always sort of instilled that in us ever since we were kids, why I have the same
13:45
initials as him. Is that amazing? The journey? Okay, so when you told your parents you were going to be an actress
13:52
Now, your mom isn't radiology? Well, no. My mom was a physical therapist for a really long time at Harlem Hospital
14:00
Okay. Where I also had like my first job where I also was bored. I had my first job there in the summertime
14:06
You know, I got to stack my little coins. Anyway, and then... What did you do there
14:10
I was working for this fabulous, beautiful black woman who told me that when I turned 60
14:16
you better dye your hair blonde, girl. And I'm a little early for that
14:22
but I followed her lead. She was so, she was like this really fabulous woman
14:27
but I was sort of her assistant, sort of. Like, she had an assistant
14:32
but then I would, like, that I was her assistant. Of course. So it was like, what do you need
14:36
Like, what can I get for you? You need anything for what? Like, you know. So when you told your parents, you want to be an actress, didn't your mom say maybe
14:43
become a radiologist? Yeah, because she was like, here, there's this program. You could go to radiology school
14:49
You know, and I was just like, mom, like, no. You know, I was like, no
14:54
And I've had like all the menial jobs. Yeah. I've done, I've worked in the restaurant industry for so long
14:59
And, you know, we were at Chippriani 42nd the other night. 42nd the other night. I was like, I've worked this room so many times, you know
15:07
Yeah. Wined up with white wine or something. I know. I was like, totally. Like I saw this young girl
15:13
She was, she didn't look like me at all, but her energy was like so like, I was like
15:18
hi, I'm you and you are me. Like I've been here before, you know. Um, yeah, I, I, and then my
15:27
dad, you know, my dad is a very practical person. Um, um, I, I, and then my dad is a very practical person. Um
15:32
I mean, initially, they weren't for it, but they weren't for it because they were protecting me, you know
15:38
And I was just like, y'all, listen, if it never cracks, I just know that I'm going to be so happy doing this every day of my life
15:50
And they were like, okay, all right, you know, but they've been so supportive along the way
15:56
They come to every single show of mine. I mean, my parents are really incredible
16:02
And I feel really, really blessed to have them in my life on this journey
16:06
You know, it would, they're... Well, they set you up with giving you the initials and your dad saying
16:13
you're your own key to your own destiny or whatever journey you take. Yeah
16:18
He gave you the key. Both of them did. Yeah. You took them last year to the Tonys, didn't you
16:22
I did. Yeah. But okay, so the Tony nominees luncheon. You can't bring anybody
16:27
It's just for the nominees or whatever else. But who's there taking care of your table
16:31
My dad? I love that. My dad, my dad was working. And, you know, there's a special moment
16:40
Emilio Sosa, bless him. He changed our lives because in the moment that he was giving me my nomination plaque he paused and he said you know I walked in here for rehearsal this morning and I paraphrasing
16:55
but he said, like, I walked in here for rehearsal this morning, and there was a gentleman
16:59
who was beaming with pride saying that his daughter got nominated for Tony, and his name is Clay Young
17:05
And on cue, my dad was like holding the tray with Coca-Cola for somebody, or a Diet Coke for somebody
17:13
And the entire room just rose to their feet and gave him a standing ovation
17:19
And I constantly think about this moment as like such a monumental, like magical New York moment
17:25
But also in the years that that place has been alive and thriving in all of the epicness that the rainbow room is and always has been
17:35
when has a server ever been acknowledged in that room in that way
17:41
It was just... A full circle moment. said your dad has always been very nice to me every time I've gone to that room and I've been
17:48
going to that room for like 26 27 years. Wow. Wow, that is so special. What does it mean to
17:57
to be an actress? Which could have been a radiologist. I could have been a lot of things
18:04
You know, I used to do hair in high school. I used to make cakes when I was 12 and sell them. Like
18:09
I could have done. I hope you have all this stuff on your resume. I should. I should. I don't
18:13
Special skill, special skill, Chots vegetable does hair. Right. Can play a radiologist now, though
18:19
I can play a radiologist now. What does it mean to be an actress
18:24
To be a fabulous actress, which you are. Thank you so much. It just, the answer will evolve
18:33
because I actually don't think about this very much, but, you know, there's a feeling that when a play is happening
18:42
or when you're telling a story, one of the most ancient things that we do is storytelling, right
18:51
You've heard stories from your parents, your family members, and we pass those stories down
18:58
And that's a part of the theatrical experience as well. But usually we're telling a story because there might be a lesson in it
19:05
or something to take with you for the rest of your life. And playwrights
19:12
and writers whose visions are so grand and vast and huge, and they hold the world in their spirits and in their souls
19:24
I feel like the act of storytelling is a way to shift consciousness in humanity
19:33
to really leave something with people that not changes them, but makes them think about what it means to be human
19:43
and what it means to see you know, I'm a black actor
19:47
what it means to see a black life what it means to what it means to
19:55
see a black life go on a journey in the most intimate of ways
19:59
which is the two hours plus that you get to spend in a theater with us
20:04
in a communal vibration of the most ancient ancient ways to be together in a space
20:12
I don't know the answer but it feels you feel like you're
20:21
you feel like you're changing the world at times you really do especially in a
20:25
Lynn Notage play especially in a Martina Mayoke play especially in a CA Johnson
20:30
play and a Jeff Augustine play like you feel Stephen Ali Girgirgus play you feel
20:35
like you're saying something like Stephen had this quote in, when we're doing halfway es
20:41
go straight to heaven at the Atlantic. And it said like something to the gist of
20:48
people don't get to hear these people, so we got to speak for them. These people have been thrown away, abused, you know
20:58
and we have to speak for them because nobody's going to hear them if we don't say
21:06
if we don't speak these words. But see, that's what a great playwright and a great cast does, you know
21:12
And like you said, The Caregiver Night, the Cost of Living was life-changing for all those
21:17
people because they saw themselves being seen. Yes. Right? Finally, the Tony Award
21:24
This is your second Tony nomination. Crazy, I'm still trying to catch up to last year
21:29
I swear, I'm really trying to be like, I'm like, I'm still trying to process Clyde
21:37
Well, now you've got two to process. I'm trying. And they both were seized
21:46
See what I can fill your mind with? Yes. Clyde's cost of living. I love you so much
21:51
Listen, I could watch you do anything. Like I said, thank you for just continuing to give us these incredible performances
21:57
And like you said, letting people be seen. And just after we leave a show that you're in, we go out for a meal or something and we can discuss a play or whatever else
22:05
But you're absolutely brilliant at what you did. Thank you so much and thank you for talking to me today. I love you so much. You always make me feel so great
22:13
I love you. I love you so much. Oh, that's great
#Celebrities & Entertainment News
#Acting & Theater
#Broadway & Musical Theater


