Kimiko Glenn – Orange Is The New Black

By starrymag | July 9, 2014

Q) What are the current projects that you are working on?

A) Right now we are shooting Season 3 of “Orange Is The New Black” and that is kind of my main focus. I’ve been doing a few small things here and there, but really I can’t talk about them. Mainly, it has just been “Orange.”

Q) How was the character of Brook Soso originally described to you?

A) She was one of those people that talked on and on about things, but she doesn’t know what she is talking about. She ends up going back to her upper-middle class family. She was kind of the way she ended up being.

Q) What made you want to be a part of the show?

A) First of all, it was the fact that it was a hit show. That kind of drew me straight away to the project. The role was a lot of fun because she was really chatty and it was fun because it was set in prison since I don’t know if I necessarily see myself in that world. Obviously, they did and this character definitely is something I can do. She’s a little earnest and she is a little chatty. I thought she was kind of cute. I hope other people think the same.

Q) What did you find challenging about the role?

A) There were a lot of challenges along the way, mainly the sex scene. It  was one of those things because I had never done a sex scene before. It was a very scary thing. I think the fact that it was on TV and I wasn’t exactly familiar with the format of TV because I’m I come from a theater background. There were definitely some challenges. I think a lot of it was memorizing my lines since she is very, very chatty. I was always a little bit nervous about that.

Q) What do you think you have in common with Brook?

A) I think I can definitely relate to her. I’m into the whole natural health thing. I try not to take medicine. I try to stay aware of the issues going on in the world. I’m not exactly as extreme as Brook because she is a bit extreme. I’ve never rallied at a protest before (at least not yet). In that way, she is a lot more intense and goes further with it than I do. I think there is a lot I have in common with Brook.

Q) Brook seems to have a lot in common with Sister Ingalls. Why do you think they don’t connect though?

A) I think maybe Brook is a bit hard to get along with, in general. I think that is mainly the hurdle. I think that Sister Ingalls thinks I’m a phony, but that is kind of said in the show.

Q) What is it that Brook has done to find herself incarcerated at Litchfield?

A) I still don’t know exactly what she has done to get into prison. I think it is speculated that it is related to a political protest.

Q) Who have been some of your favorite directors to work with on the show?

A) I really love Constantine Makris. He is so beautiful to work with and such a joy. He is very warm and he makes me feel very safe. He knows what he wants. He creates a great environment for people to feel safe to play and have fun.

Q) You have gotten to work with a number of the cast members. Who would you most like to have a scene with Soso that you haven’t worked with yet?

A) I have filmed with a lot of people because I kind of hop around the prison. I think it would be a lot of fun to film with Jackie Cruz who plays Flaca. I don’t think we’ve filmed together yet. I am a little bit close with her in real life and I think we could have a fun little scene. I think Brook and Flaca would get along.

Q) “Orange Is The New Black” is an international sensation. How are you dealing with the fame that comes along with it?

A) It’s only been under a month so I might have a different point-of-view later on, but I’m having a great time with it. I’m really thankful because I was worried throughout the process that people would find my character annoying because she is written so darn annoying. I’ve been overwhelmed by the support and all the love I’ve been receiving. More and more every day I get stopped on the street. Just seeing peoples’ faces and their smiles when they are talking about the show, it really lights up my day and puts me in a really good mood. I feel like I have been feeling on top of the world in a way from all the love I have been receiving.

Q) Who would you like to see make an appearance in season three of “Orange Is The New Black?”

A) I have had a lot of fun watching Lori Petty in the second season. I think that would be really cool! I didn’t get a chance to work with her in that first episode and I thought she was hilarious. I would love for her to be an installation on the show. I think that would be awesome!

Q) Fans may not know that you come from a Broadway and theater background. Is there a chance to show off more of your musical abilities in Season 3?

A) I hope! I think they understand that a lot of the women have musical backgrounds so they always throw in a bit of singing or some sort of musical element, which I think is always fun. I hope she gets to sing again, but who knows!

Q) You are just getting to start being a part of “Ask Orange” and are a new fixture on Twitter. What is it like getting feedback from fans and participating in these kind of events?

A) It’s funny because I wasn’t sure if I was a part of it and somehow I got roped into it. I was so happy that people were reaching out and were curious about what I had to say and had questions for me. I was kind of taken aback by how many questions I got. I wish I could have responded to all of them, but there were so many! It’s been really great.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who has become a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Thank you so much! I am so glad you understand that I am not my character. I’m just portraying someone who talks a lot. Thanks so much for watching the show. You are why we exist!