Kimberly Gilbert was one of the very first actors I learned about when I moved to DC in the fall of 2019, and it’s easy to see why she’s held in such high esteem. Over her 20+ year career, starting with an MFA from the STC Academy, she has worked with companies large—Round House, Woolly Mammoth—and small—Taffety Punk—and everything in between on an impressive range of plays and roles, including Mercutio and Marie Antoinette.

In our conversation, she is genuine, open and, her word, a little ‘gooberish.’ But also wise and funny. I’ve never heard someone describe the relationship between DC theater and DC politics like Kimberly does, nor have such compassion and respect for the upcoming generation of theater makers.

Follow her on Instagram at @the_kimmah.