Kimberly Belflower
Kimberly Belflower joins us On The Couch this week. We’re eagerly awaiting the arrival of her incredibly popular play, John Proctor is the Villain, which explores the Salem witch trials and the #MeToo movement. An Appalachian Georgia native, this will be Belflower’s Broadway debut, despite the fact that John Proctor is one of the most popular High School plays around the country.
This glorious Instagram takes you through the first day of John Proctor is The Villain rehearsals on Broadway from Kimberly’s POV. Definitely worth a look. A momentous day. Read our full interview with Kimberly below.
What do you consider to be your best asset?
My enthusiasm
What was your proudest moment?
Getting into the MFA playwriting program at UT Austin. It was the first time I thought “oh maybe I CAN do this” in a real way.
What is your favorite drink?
true/boring answer: cold cold water
alcohol answer: dirty gin martini or negroni
also: strong black coffee, diet coke
hat is your favorite food?
boiled peanuts (iykyk), smoked salmon, and prime summer tomatoes
What is your favorite condiment?
mayo (preferably Duke’s) and Fly By Jing chili crisp
What is your current obsession?
This gf bread from Knead Love at the Union Square farmers market, and the book Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma, by Claire Dederer
If you could give up one of your vices, what would it be?
Online shopping as therapy
What is the one professional accomplishment you long for most?
I would love to work in London; I’d freak out over a gorgeous published collection of my plays; but honestly, more than anything, I just want a long career that is both consistent and surprising.
What is the one thing you waste too much money on?
Again, online shopping as therapy
What is the one activity you waste too much time doing?
scrolling
What do you consider to be the single greatest threat to your health?
the American government
What’s the single best trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
a love of reading and the natural world
What’s the single worst trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
The whole Belflower family is hard-working to the point of ignoring self-care
What in the world most thrills you?
Swimming in cold, clear mountain water
What current trend in popular culture most irritates you?
The performance of not caring/not preparing
What was the most embarrassing moment you’ve ever experienced on the job?
I teach college, and a couple times I’ve gone to project some slides from my computer but accidentally shown my nightmare inbox (I’m one of those terrors with thousands upon thousands of unread emails) or my last Google search — which one time was “Happy Hondadays deals near me”
What is your favorite place in the world?
the woods behind my childhood home
What is the most important trait you seek in a romantic partner?
Sweet, silly, and smart in equal measure — and lucky me, my partner is the sweetest-silliest-smartest of them all.
Do you prefer the company of dogs or cats?
It depends on the dog or the cat! But generally, cats.
What would have to happen to make today the best day of your life?
Emily Brontë comes back from the dead, takes me on a long long walk on the moors, and tells me all the secrets from her whole life.
What are your personal mottos?
I have been saying “hell yeah” a lot lately, with total sincerity.