5 Questions with Kathleen Carey, star of Harbinger Theatre’s ‘Mrs. Packard’

Kathleen Carey will play Elizabeth Parsons Ware Packard in the Harbinger Theatre production of “Mrs. Packard” by Emily Mann at the Albany Barn, opening tonight and running through Dec. 16. The show marks Harbinger’s 11th Capital Region premiere.

Carey is also my best friend in Capital Region theater. The first time we appeared together was in 1997 in “Don Juan in Chicago” at Albany Civic Theater, in which she played my daughter. We have since played suitors and marrieds many times together. Carey was even my roommate for a time in real life.

Our paths have crossed at the best community theaters in the area, including Curtain Call, Theater Barn, Schenectady Civic Playhouse and Theatre Company at Hubbard Hall. Even when we’re not working together we’re always connected. I played Mikey in Curtain Call’s production of “Good People” and was thrilled to be a member of the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association and watch Carey collect her award for Best Actress as Margie in Theater Barn’s production of that play last year.

She has recently left her position as manager of the Little Book House in Stuyvesant Plaza to work for the state in adult education policy, and during this busy time of transition Carey is taking on one of the most challenging roles of her career. In 1861, Elizabeth Packard was forcibly removed from her house by her husband and legally committed to an insane asylum for disagreeing with her husband publicly.

She spent the next three years documenting her neglect and abuse, earning her freedom, and went on to change the laws in 34 states regarding women’s rights.

Packard’s obituary read, “No woman of her day, except possibly Harriet Beecher Stowe, exercised a wider influence in the interest of humanity.”

Have you ever heard of her?

I recently asked Carey five questions — plus a bonus:

QUESTION: What were your first reactions after reading the script?

ANSWER: Chris mentioned this play to me just about a year ago and I said, “Hey, there’s a book about her that just came out called ‘The Woman They Could Not Silence.’ ” I didn’t read it right away (I have since read it twice), but I started researching Elizabeth. When I got the play ahead of auditions, I loved it and knew I had to play Elizabeth. Just in my bones, I knew it. I knew it would be challenging from an actor’s point of view (though, just HOW challenging I could never have imagined!) and also to stage. On the page you don’t see the many layers and nuances of the scenes, characters and actions. Rehearsal has been a great, rich period of discovery, especially having such a strong and giving actor as Kerry to work opposite.

Q: What do you admire most about this character?

A: Oh, her dogged resilience, perseverance and total commitment to not giving in to men like McFarland and her husband. For the rest of her life, she championed women’s and mental health causes. It’s a miracle she not only survived but thrived. During her incarceration she said to Dr. McFarland, “I am resolved to fight my way through all the obstacles to victory, to the emancipation of married women.” After her release she wrote, “Women are made to fly and soar, not to creep and crawl, as the haters of our sex want us to.” This was one fierce woman! I also admire her deep faith and that she truly felt called by God to champion these causes.

Q: Do you see contemporary relevance in what Mrs. Packard suffered?

A: Of course. While husbands can no longer legally commit their wives here, and great strides have been made, we are still fighting for so much toward truly equal rights. Women in some places in the Middle East are still being incarcerated for “breaking” rules for them made by men. Bodily autonomy, equal pay, microaggressions and misogyny. The fight continues.

Q: Can you talk about what it’s like working with such a large cast and what it’s like working with Chris again? What’s the rehearsal room been like?

A: It’s been quite a while since I’ve worked with a cast this size and it’s been a nice return — working with old friends, meeting new ones and watching what unique gifts everyone brings to this story. I have a lot of laughs offstage with JJ (who plays my tormenter, Mrs. Bonner) and that’s really needed in a play like this. Rehearsals have been intense, and as a result a camaraderie among the cast has developed and there is much respect and laughter. Personally this is the hardest role I have ever done, emotionally and physically. My legs feel like jelly at the end. It’s been 10 years since I was last directed by Chris, some show you might remember (“Big Maggie” at ACT) … and it’s like coming home. I love being directed by him, I love watching him direct others, I love having a shorthand with him. He’s brilliant, truly.

Q: Now that you’ve changed careers, will that change how you look at theater opportunities?

A: You ask that at an interesting time, as I have been asked by a professional company (can I say Cap Rep?) to audition for a show in the spring. My longevity at the Book House wouldn’t have precluded this opportunity, but now it might. But it might not, so I won’t pass up this audition opportunity. As far as community theater, it won’t impact it at all. It might even be easier, since I have regular work hours.

I can’t wait to sleep in this Saturday!

Q: Here’s a bonus question awarded for our long friendship: What role or project are you dying to get your hands on?

A: I have never done your favorite, Tennessee Williams, and would love to. I’ve always wanted to play Blanche but I don’t think I’m physically right for her, but there must be something for me in his canon. I would love to play Gertrude in “Hamlet” and Lady Macbeth in Mackers. And, “For Peter Pan on Her 70th Birthday,” for obvious reasons!

“Mrs. Packard” runs through Dec. 16 at the Albany Barn (56 2nd St.) at 7:30 p.m. Talkback Fridays will be featured on Fridays and ladies night celebrating feminists is slated for Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $15. For information, visit actingclasswithpatrickwhite.net or Eventbrite.

Patrick White is a Nippertown contributor.