The Fame Reporter interviewed the versatile Kimberley Hodgson starring as Brianna in Queensland Theatre’s new comedy musical, ‘Fangirls‘ as part of the Brisbane Festival. She is having the time of her life in this new show about first love, fan culture and the danger of underestimating teenage girls.
Fangirls is Kim’s Queensland Theatre debut. Her other theatre credits include Opera Australia’s West Side Story, Disney’s Aladdin the Musical, Harvest Rain’s Into the Woods, Blake Entertainment’s Rolling Thunder Vietnam, Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Almost Eurovision Experience and more. Kimberley has starred in the film, Don’t Tell and on TV in Harrow (Season 2). She completed her Bachelor of Musical Theatre at Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University and she has a Certificate IV in Musical Theatre from Queensland College of Performing Arts.
We talked to Kimberley about what drew her to audition for Fangirls, who she fangirls over, what it is like being part of an original Australian musical and more!
See our interview below!
Welcome to The Fame Reporter Kim, what sparked your interest in performing initially?
I’ve always performed growing up. I never imagined that it would become my profession, until I was in Year 12 and saw Wicked in Brisbane (which was the first musical I had ever seen live).
I knew from then on that that’s exactly what I wanted to do for a living.
What about your character, Brianna drew you to audition for FanGirls?
I was actually a part of a workshop for the show in Brisbane in October last year, so I was really familiar with how INCREDIBLE this show is. So, I auditioned for the show hoping that I could play any character!
What is the show about and what has been the most rewarding and challenging parts about performing in this new Queensland Theatre musical part of Brisbane Festival?
The show caters for absolutely anyone. It’s not just for the Fangirls of the now, it’s for the Fangirls of all ages (you know that little band called the Beetles?), it’s also for the Mum’s and Dad’s who deal with teenagers day in day out, it celebrates not just the Fangirls but women of all ages and that we are an absolute force to be reckoned with!
I am proud to be in a culturally diverse cast from all different backgrounds. I’m super stoked that I get to live a teenage life that I never had growing up vicariously through my character.
All in all I’m stoked and privileged to be working on such a beautiful show at Queensland Theatre (my first time working for the company), in my hometown, in the festival!
What 3 performers dead or alive would you love to have a dinner party with?
Lea Salonga, Eva Noblezada and John Legend.
How would you describe the music in Fangirls?
Pop Concert!!!!!
Do you have a role in musical theatre/straight theatre that you are dying to play?
Kim in Miss Saigon.
What is it like being part of a brand new Australian musical?
So many emotions…I feel very blessed. Not only do I get to bring my character to life for the very first time, but I also get to be a part of new work that tells a really important story written by a sensationally talented Aussie woman, Yve Blake (my hero).
Have you had a moment when you were younger or even now that you have found yourself fangirling to a mild to extreme extent?
Back in the day Nick Carter… currently John Legend.
What do you hope audiences take away from Fangirls?
I don’t hope, I know that audiences will leave not knowing what to do with themselves because their brains will be challenged and smooshed by the incredible story that is, Fangirls.
Fame Reporter Word Play
Fangirls
Harry
Spirit Animal
Brianna
Bucket list
Sky diving
Princess Jasmine
What’s wrong with a woman running the kingdom?
Comedy or Drama
Comedy
Fangirling
Passionate women
Go-to Karaoke song
Hero – Mariah Carey
Brisbane
Sun
Edna
Ambitious
Queensland Theatre
Home
Any secret talents
I can flare my nostrils really fast
Brianna
My spirit animal
Favourite Musical
Dear Evan Hansen
Dressing Room necessity
Crystals
Celebrity Crush
John Legend
True Connection
HARRY!!!
Best moment in Fangirls creative process
Falling in love with Brianna
Favourite song in Fangirls and favourite to perform
Justice
Can’t live without
Food
Place you want to travel to
Spain
Future dream
To be employed for the rest of my life haha
TV Show Binge
Friends
Finally, favourite thing about performing
Every story that I tell is a very special one and I get to share that with people in many different ways every single performance.
Thank-you Kim for joining us at The Fame Reporter and we wish you all the best for Fangirls at the Billie Brown Theatre, Queensland Theatre in Brisbane until 5 October.
Don’t miss out on this new Australian musical about the craziness of fan obsessions in a comical way.
Get your TICKETS here.
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All photos – Supplied
The Fame Reporter 