Kendra Kassebaum
Kendra is a native of St. Louis, Missouri where she grew up during her childhood, with her parents (Susie and Dave) and brother (Nicholas). After grade school, she went on to receive her B.F.A. in performance from Southwest Missouri State University. At Missouri State, she performed in shows such as Guys and Dolls and Into the Woods.
Since her school years, Kendra has performed in numerous regional productions, tours, readings, and on Broadway. Her regional credits would include shows like Red Herring (Actor's Theatre of Louisville), A Little Night Music (ACT Theatre), A Secret Garden (Fifth Avenue Theatre), Tommy (Cherry County Playhouse), Hello, Dolly! (Gateway Playhouse), and Little Shop of Horrors. She's toured the country as Patty Simcox in Grease and Val in A Chorus Line.
Kendra made her Broadway debut on September 5th, 2000 as “Mark's Mom” in the Tony award winning show, “Rent.” She was widely admired and loved by fans of the show, also known as “Rentheads.” She understudied the role of “Maureen Johnson” and performed the role for her first time on October 1st, 2000, barely a month after joining the cast.
She marked her second appearance on Broadway in the Tony winner for Best Revival of a Musical, “Assassins,” in 2004. Since then, Kendra has returned to Rent, but will be making her final departure on November 30th, 2004, before she goes into rehearsals for the first national tour of the smash-hit “WICKED,” in which she will be portraying the role of Galinda, the good witch of the north.
Birthdate: May 12, 1973
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Education: B.F.A. in performance from Southwest Missouri State University
Parents: Susie and Dave
Siblings: a brother, Nicholas
BROADWAY DATES
1st performance: Sept. 5, 2000
1st performance as Maureen: Oct. 1, 2000 (matinee), Danielle Greaves last show
Final show (Maureen): August 18, 2001
Final show w/ cast: same
AUDITION
What did you sing?: I sang "Movin On Up", it was the theme song for the television series "The Jeffersons"
How many callbacks did you have?: I think I have had 12 callbacks, YIKES!
Did you go to an open call? If so, where?: I did not go to an open call
THE SHOW
Had you seen it before you joined the cast?: Before joining the company I saw RENT once
What do you think of the "rentheads?": I think Rentheads are great. It feels good to be part of a production that touches individuals so deeply. What an honor! You guys rock.
RANDOM QUESTIONS
What is your favorite role played (any show): My favorite role to date is Mrs. Walker in "Tommy". I just completed the production before coming to RENT. I actually did the show with an original RENT cast member... Gilles Chiason. He was Couisin Kevin in "Tommy."
Important Articles
Pictures
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| Thank Goodness |
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| Glinda and Elphaba |
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| For Good |
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