Filed under: Tranced | Tags: Africa, Bob Clyman, cast profile, Kimber Riddle, Merrimack Rep, Merrimack Repertory, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Merrimack Repertoy Theatre, MRT, Tranced
Actress Kimber Riddle makes her MRT debut as Beth, a reporter in Bob Clyman’s new play Tranced. Kimber has many New England theatre
Kimber Riddle (Top Right) with Mark Zeisler (Left) and Zainab Jah (Center)
credits, including Piano at Harvard University and Common Infractions and Gross Injustices at American Repertory Theatre, and has directed several acting projects at St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire. She has also appeared in several films, including Guy, which starred Vincent D’Onofrio, and the ABC mini-series for Stephen King’s The Langoliers.
Like her character Beth, Kimber is also interested in helping the people of Africa. She has been to several different countries in Africa on relief missions. Kimber and I recently exchanges emails on Tranced and her travels to Africa.
What was your first impression after reading the script for Tranced?
My first impression of the play was a great and exciting one! As you know I’ve spent some time in Africa and also I have some friends that are Journalists, so I really felt I could relate to the world of the play. I was also struck at what a wonderful new piece it was. It’s rare that new material is this good.
What attracted you to the role of Beth?
My attraction to the role of Beth was immediate. Like I said I know some Journalists and thought it could be a wonderful tribute to them.
This map shows the countries Kimber visited in Africa.
I heard that you have spent time in Africa working for relief organizations. Where did you travel to and what were your experiences like in Africa?
I traveled to northern and southern Uganda with the International Medical Corps. They are a wonderful organization with programs all over the world. The program I participated in was one with the focus of malnutrition in an IDP camp (internally displaced people) in the war torn north and gender related violence was the focus in a refugee camp in the south of Uganda. It was an incredible and difficult experience that I think about almost everyday. I also went on a research trip with Anna Deavere Smith to Rwanda, to look at the Genocide, Uganda, to look at Child Soldier’s and South Africa, for the Aids epidemic.
You have had the chance to perform at many theatres across the country, and had film and TV roles. Is there a character or experience that stands out as a favorite?
I don’t really have a favorite character, I love them all.
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Merrimack Repertory Theatre Blog 
[…] that she has been to Africa several times on relief missions, which she talked about in an earlier interview on our blog. David Adkins said he has several relatives that have been to Africa and that after he […]
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