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Bobbi Kravis |
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Having played feisty but big-hearted writer Katharine Hartgrove in the 2002 spring and fall tours of Letters from the Front, Bobbi Kravis re-enlisted for the 2003 season with a new mission: time traveling her character from 1945 to 1991. In doing so Bobbi is the only other actress besides Della Cole who has played Katharine in both the World War II and Desert Storm versions of the play. The talent and skill abundantly evident in her audience pleasing performances proved that she was more than equal to the challenge. For the 2004 season, Bobbi was glad to return to the WWII version of the play, which to her is "gutsier, more entertaining, and the themes are more sharply drawn." Bobbi likes to put her abilities to the test. When originally asked why she wanted to play the role of Katharine Hartgrove, she responded, "I want to be challenged," noting that there are very few roles today for women that are as meaty and meaningful as that of Katharine Hartgrove. She had also visited this web site and was impressed with accounts of the play's "mission of service to those who serve us." "I like helping out," she says, referring specifically to the Worldwide Letter Writing Campaign spawned by the play. Born in Indiana, raised in Kentucky and a New Yorker for over ten years, Bobbi Kravis is thrilled to be a member of the Letters from the Front family. "Being able to work on such a demanding and rewarding role as Katharine Hartgrove is truly a blessing. It’s the chance of a lifetime to play such a strong, vibrant, compassionate woman who goes after what she wants while still maintaining her sense of integrity. Katharine Hartgrove is the definition of a true hero, someone who’s had more than her share of struggles, made the best of them and managed to help others in the process." Bobbi Kravis's entrance into theatre was a bit unorthodox. She was originally a sixth grade Language Arts teacher. "Keeping the attention of 11 year olds is the best stage training I’ve ever had!" she says. Finding herself with some free time on her hands over a summer break, she took the suggestion of a friend who was a member of a local community theatre group in desperate need of "warm bodies" for the chorus of its upcoming production of South Pacific. "It was like nothing I’d experienced before; I was hooked." A few productions later she was discovered by a local agent, which led to commercial, print and industrial film work in the Cincinnati, OH area before moving to New York City. Before starring in Letters from the Front, Bobbi was last seen on the road turning in a "strong performance" * and delighting audiences with "one of the best musical numbers" ** as Ethel McCormick in the 2001 national tour of Footloose. Favorite past roles include Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire, Audrey in Belles, and [if not the most fun, at least the most aerobic!] as a miserably mistreated, terribly misunderstood, wicked [by who’s standards I ask you?] stepsister jeered, taunted and chased around many a gymnasium by many a grade-schooler with vengeance in their eyes, who could only see Cinderella’s side of things. "Wicked wart-nosed stepsisters can’t ever get no respect I tell ya’…" A comedienne as well, Bobbi writes and produces her own one-woman shows when back home in New York. She weaves song through an array of outrageous characters in productions with titles such as Who Invited the Elephants?! and Midnight At The Rollerdrome. Bobbi expresses a load of gratitude to Tim, Elmera and David for their insight, belief, laughter and love. _______________________________________________________________ *Democrat & Chronicle - David Lee; Rochester, NY - February 2, 2001 **The Spokanesman-Review – Jim Kershner; Spokane, WA - April 13, 2001 |
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