Kris 'Pepper' Hambrick is now the age Jim Kirk was when the five year mission ended, and she's delighted that she's been able to serve as captain this long. She swears she did not cast herself as Kirk, but she's pretty darned glad about it anyway. The only thing she has in common with William Shatner is that Spock gets all the attention, but who can blame anyone for that? She thanks everyone who's let her play in this sandbox.
I also like really old movies and going to the zoo and thinking every animal is the cutest. I live with a good cat, an evil cat, and the sweetest dog in the universe.
What history do you have with theatrical productions?
Anyway, here in Seattle I've played a surfer chick with MPD, Puck, the ghost of Christmas Future, and a few teenage boys. It's a niche, but at least there is one for people like me! Until I age out of it.
Fast forward to 2005, and Shatner's album "Has Been." Specifically the song, "It Hasn't Happened Yet." I fell in love. With this weird version of humanity as typified by Mr. Shatner. I decided I needed to understand him better, so I started watching ST: TOS. This is the sort of thing which, apparently, leads to forming theater companies. I can't really explain it.
What cool things do you do in your life apart from Outdoor Trek?
I am more proud of Outdoor Trek than I am of almost anything I've ever done in my life. I have never had more evidence that I've touched people than as a producer of this show. While I do not believe this is the last episode we'll reinterpret, I am glad that this year, we're attacking a script that has a lot of juicy history for the show and fandom. And so far, the response to the relationship between Kirk and Spock makes me think that we're hitting the high points of what has always made this duo speak to people. Helen and I have been doing this longer than Shatner and Nimoy did during the original series, and I think that connection shows. As a Trekkian and as an actor, that means a lot to me.
I shoot lasers. I command the stars. Basically, I could take over the entire universe if we had the equipment. Actually I do planetarium shows at Pacific Science Center and am a sometime laser artist there and I think both of those things are pretty cool. Also I talk way too much about Star Trek and comics. (Obviously cool.) I don't actually have a life outside Outdoor Trek for about half the year because I'm producing/acting/costuming/etc so you should ask me this question in a few months and maybe I'll have something.
I've wanted to be an actor ever since about fifth grade. I'm not even sure why. When I was a kid, I put on shows for my parents based on Doctor Who or Sherlock Holmes. I was always the Doctor or Holmes. This basically makes everything else in my life make sense.
What history do you have with Star Trek?
I watched TNG, growing up. I was 8 when it came out, and I loved it. I wasn't able to get past the beginnings of the subsequent shows, and I have very distinct memories of seeing "A Piece of the Action" when I was 7 and wondering why people in the 60s were so stupid and easy to entertain. (I was a lot more serious, as a child. I also thought the Adam West Batman was dumb. Boy was I blind!)
I watched TNG, growing up. I was 8 when it came out, and I loved it. I wasn't able to get past the beginnings of the subsequent shows, and I have very distinct memories of seeing "A Piece of the Action" when I was 7 and wondering why people in the 60s were so stupid and easy to entertain. (I was a lot more serious, as a child. I also thought the Adam West Batman was dumb. Boy was I blind!)
What's one thing you think an extraterrestrial should know about humanity ?
That we're trying. Really hard. Also that we are diverse, and we've not yet learned how to deal with that, and so any judgments made should reflect the fact that we're not all the same. We may not be ready to accept you. But don't give up on us because of it. The future as envisioned by Roddenberry et al is not realistic. They showed us something to strive for, without having to explain how we'd get there. I think that's okay, because right now? I can't imagine living at any other time. We have tremendous problems to solve. And yet, I cannot think of anyone who'd be better off in a previous life. The world is rife with problems, but also with opportunity. We live in a world where minorities have it better than ever before. Our work is not done, nor will it ever be. What's beautiful is that so many people realize that, and keep working.
That we're trying. Really hard. Also that we are diverse, and we've not yet learned how to deal with that, and so any judgments made should reflect the fact that we're not all the same. We may not be ready to accept you. But don't give up on us because of it. The future as envisioned by Roddenberry et al is not realistic. They showed us something to strive for, without having to explain how we'd get there. I think that's okay, because right now? I can't imagine living at any other time. We have tremendous problems to solve. And yet, I cannot think of anyone who'd be better off in a previous life. The world is rife with problems, but also with opportunity. We live in a world where minorities have it better than ever before. Our work is not done, nor will it ever be. What's beautiful is that so many people realize that, and keep working.
I saw the show, and it was FANTASTIC! Wish I could go back and see all the others you've done - since I can't, I'll be sure to see future ones!
ReplyDeleteI actually saw the ORIGINAL Star Trek when it was first on, and it made a huge impression on me. Thank god the internet was not available for me to share my horrifying fanfic (some in VERSE FORM)!
I too have a good cat and an evil cat - the evil one does not have the Beard of Evil, but he is extra fluffy instead.
Wishing you all the best!