We have interviewed our cast members for you to get to know them.
Meet Kelly Haavaldsrud !
Tell us briefly about your work as an artist.
The arts are what keep me happy and motivated beyond all my other work and family obligations. Since changing my career from finance 15 years ago, I’ve been a voiceover artist, singer, and photographer and have been involved in roughly 15 shows with Tokyo International Players. I love to sing harmonies and backing vocals for friends and help behind the scenes. I’ve also been learning to direct and produce and helped with original songs and scores, and it has all been a wonderful growing experience.
What is your role in ‘Disturbance’?
I’m playing the Paternal Grandmother, a nosey neighbor, a call center operator, and a Greek chorus member.
What attracts you about ‘Disturbance’?
The team of people behind it was the major draw for me. To work with such talented individuals all in one place is a dream come true. And also the dark material is a draw for me. I’ve had some rough times recently and I can relate to a lot of the pain in the show. Having others notice when you’re in trouble or grieving is a blessing, and the message of the show is to convince people not to turn a blind eye to other people’s pain. It’s about empathy at its core, and that resonates with me.
I also love the workshopping spirit of the show. We are creating a performance art piece from original poetry and music, with so much collaboration and input from the actors, which is very unusual and such a gift.
What are some of your favourite staged performances you’ve ever seen or been in?
I love musicals, and some of the best I’ve seen include Les Miserables, Rent, and Wicked. My favorite play is probably King Lear. And I’ve been proud to be a part of Avenue Q, The Rocky Horror Show, Pippin, and The Who’s Tommy to name a few - all dark and amazing in their own way.
Anything else you want to tell us about?
I love doing English theatre in Tokyo! I think it is one of the most creative places in the world for this, and I wish it had a higher global profile. There are so many talented, hardworking people here, and our community is incredibly warm and supportive. No one turns a blind eye to another person’s struggles. They are literally living, loving proof that we can make a better world.
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