Interview with Kimberly J. Brown
Greetings! I’m super excited to share this exclusive post
with all of you today! Last week, I had the privilege of interviewing Kimberly
J. Brown a.k.a. Marnie Piper from Halloweentown.
We discussed what she’s been up to recently, she answered questions from fans,
and of course, we covered Halloweentown!
In case you’ve been living under a rock, Kimberly J. Brown
starred in the first three Halloweentown
films, which were all produced by Disney. The movies follow the life of Marnie Piper,
who goes from your average thirteen-year-old girl to a witch who manages to
save both the mortal world and Halloweentown with the help of her magical
family.
Halloweentown, Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge, and
Halloweentown High have become must haves
for the fall season and have a built a cult-like following over the past decade
and a half. Fans of all ages have enjoyed these films, which are available on
iTunes all year long and can often be watched on the Disney channel, especially
around Halloween.
At any given time, if you search for the Halloweentown
hashtag on Twitter, you’ll see hundreds if not thousands of fans watching or
discussing the films. It’s truly amazing to see so many people and different
generations all coming together around these films.
Kimberly J. Brown as well as the other actresses and actors
in the Halloweentown films have
created a must-experience legacy for every generation!
If you’re already a fan, be prepared to fall in love with
the series and Kimberly J. Brown even more after reading this interview and if
you haven’t watched the Halloweentown
films yet (Seriously, is that even possible?), get on it! Wait, get on it after
you read this interview!
To get things
started, I thought we would start with what is currently going on in your life.
I see that you are hosting several activities in St. Helens, Oregon next month
for the “Spirit of Halloweentown” celebration. What do you all have planned and
what can you tell us about the GO GLOWIN?
Kimberly: We’re
doing two days of events in St. Helens. There’s going to be a pumpkin lighting
and photo ops (for fans). I have Marnie’s costume from the first and second
movies, so I plan to wear that during the event. We’re going to do some photos
in front of the haunted cab and there’s also a costume contest where I’ll get
to be one of the judges, so that will be fun!
I partnered with GO GLOWIN to bring awareness to nighttime
safety. We’re trying to remind people to be more conscious of their surroundings,
especially on Halloween, and to help people be more aware of each other.
There’s a lot of excitement and energy (on Halloween) and often the focus is
elsewhere, but I think it’s important to bring awareness back to safety. I love
their (GO GLOWIN) products and I think it’s going to be really fun to bring
another kind of awareness to St. Helen’s on Halloween this year. It will be a
unique form of magic this year and it will really help kick off the festivities
in St. Helen’s.
Brief interruption,
picture this Kimberly’s answers in Marnie Piper’s voice. I seriously had to
reign in my inner fangirl in order to ask my questions without squealing or
freaking out. Okay, my public service announcement is over!
Can you tell me about
the films you are developing? What are the genres? Where are the in production
and when are they due out?
Kimberly: I have
my hands in a couple of different projects right now. I am in the midst of
shooting several original comedy skits for my YouTube channel. We have a couple
that are sort of in various stages of being written and others that are being
filmed.
I have a bunch of friends from Second City, where I took
improve and UCB, where I have been performing, and we’ve been writing sketches
together. They are being shot or we are preforming them on stage, so that is
always a continual thing that I’ve been working on and that I really enjoy.
Then there are a couple of scripts that I have been working
on in various stages of development. Some of them are written, while others are
in the concept stage still. They fall into the suspense and horror/thriller
genres with a little bit of a Sci-Fi twist on it. I’m a fan of those kinds of movies.
I like the extra thrill in those genres.
It’s something different, as I enjoy learning about the
production side of things. I took a break a few years ago and went to college
and earned a business degree. I’ve loved learning about the behind the scenes
aspect of the business that I have been a part of ever since I was a kid.
I’ve done a bit of line producing and learned about the
hands-on production side of film production. I’ve been working on a couple of
different tools in that aspect and I’ve been working on the creative side of
film production too, which I enjoy. I’ve also continued to go out for things as
an actress, so it all keeps to keep things flowing, and I do enjoy all aspects
of the entertainment industry.
Can you tell us a
little bit about your project Slot King?
Kimberly: Yeah,
Slot King is a project that is one that I really love. It’s an
adventure-suspense script that has been in development and it’s such a great
story. It’s one of those (projects) that I love and hope gets made very soon.
I’ve read that you
enjoy writing. Do you primarily stick to comedy sketches or do you lend your
hand to film scripts? Do you do any other kind of writing?
Kimberly: I’m a
big reader and I love to read. There’s nothing quite like sitting down with a
good book. I don’t know if I could ever write one. I journaled a lot as a
teenager and wrote a lot of poetry. Over the years, I’ve given ideas to certain
projects I’ve been involved with along the way. I’ve written some music
(lyrically). I don’t think I’ll ever write a full script on my own, in the
sense that I haven’t had a hankering to do so, but that could always change.
I’ve always really enjoyed speaking and acting other people’s brilliant words.
You are pretty
hilarious! What has been one of your favorite sketches and where can we view
it?
Kimberly: With my
sketches I’ve been trying to take things that happen to me in everyday life
that I think are common and I amplify them to a degree that is some-what
relatable, yet shows the hilarious things that we as human beings put up with
or tell ourselves that are okay.
My two favorites on my YouTube channel are On Hold, which
shows what happens when you have to call a major company and you are on hold
for hours. The other one is How to Be a Better Drive, which amplifies the
things that we probably shouldn’t do as drivers, but that we get away with.
It’s sort of tongue in cheek. It’s kind of more ironic then anything.
We’re working on another one now, it’s a play on dating and
the various things that people go through who are in the process of dating.
We’re also working on one other thing, but that’s secret for now.
You’ve
been involved in theater, film, commercials, soap operas and other TV work, and
animated work. What projects have been some of your favorite and why?
Kimberly: Ooh,
that’s a great question! I’ve been really blessed to be in various types of
projects along the way. Theatre was amazing, being on Broadway when I was young
and growing up in New York City was amazing. I’ve met some of my best friends
as a kid in theatre an we’re still friends now, which I’m really grateful for.
I’m a huge musical theatre nerd. I’d spend every day going to musical theatre
if I could, I just love it!
Acting on the soap was great training ground as an actress.
Memorizing dialogue and getting to work on different story lines that were
always changing and even a little bit out there, was really fun. The people
were amazing!
I’ve also had a blast doing comedy and drama. I’m not sure I
could pick out just one (favorite project), but there are a few that are
special to me for various reasons, like who I worked with or if the character
was very near and dear to me. I really enjoyed being able to explore different
aspects of myself along the way as well as having feedback from fans, it’s been
really amazing.
One
of the roles you are best known for is Marnie Piper in the Halloweentown series. Lay it on me, what was it like playing this
iconic character in the Halloweentown,
Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge,
and Halloweentown High films?
Kimberly: Marnie
is such a cool character. I’ve always admired her determination and her spunk,
as well as her rock solid believe in herself, even at a young age. For me to be
able to play that was such a special fun dream role. I’m so honored and touched
that people have no only enjoyed the movies, but that they continue to enjoy
them, so much so that they continue to talk to me about them and want to
continue to hear about them. It’s such an honor as an actor, not only to have
interest and feedback from fans, but to have it continue for all of these
years.
What
is it like working with Debbie Reynolds?
Kimberly: Working
with Debbie Reynolds was one of my favorite things ever that I’ll always
treasure. She’s an amazing woman. She’s hilarious, wise, and she’s a really
special lady.
We bonded immediately! She has an amazing sense of humor and
she is so humble. She’s also a big team player on set and she still loves what
she does after all of these years. She enjoys making people happy in that sense
and I just adore her.
What
were your favorite and least favorite parts of working on the Halloweentown films?
Kimberly: I loved
having powers and working with Debbie. The costumes and the creatures made
Halloweentown what it is, a place where everybody is accepted and loved for who
they are, which is the best message that a movie could share. I also loved the
costumes. They were amazing and really helped make Halloweentown special.
The only uncomfortable parts were the scenes were I had to
fly on a broom. It looked so amazing on screen thanks to the incredible special
effects, but it wasn’t very comfortable in real life.
Are
you still in contact with any of your co-stars?
Kimberly: I am! I
am in contact with a lot of them. I haven’t seen Debbie recently, but we’ve
hung out socially a lot since the end of Halloweentown
High. I’ve been to a couple of her variety shows in LA and Vegas. We’ve
gone out to dinner a few times and I’ve been to her house. She’s such a
gracious kind lady.
I do keep in touch with a lot of the other cast members as
well. I was actually just texting with Judith Hoag tonight. We’re trying to get
together and go for a hike, to catch up.
It’s been really nice with social media over the years, as a
bunch of us have been able to keep in touch. I may not see them all of the
time, but we keep in touch on social media.
Over the years, social media has been great with helping us
keep in touch and we try to see each other when we can. It’s awesome being able
to keep in touch!
Who
was your favorite love interest? Luke or Finn?
Kimberly: I
don’t know if you could really compare them. Finn is so sweet and so talented.
I loved that Marnie had that moment of being honest with a human, it was very
reflective of her mother’s relationship with her father when they were younger.
I liked to explore that aspect in the third Halloweentown
(film).
I also do love Marnie’s relationship with Luke. He’s really
fun to work with as well. There were always a bunch of fans that wanted to know
if they would ever get together. I don’t know, that would have been something
interesting to explore. I don’t know Marnie would have felt about that? I think
Marnie always felt a close friendship with him. I think he perhaps a little bit
more interested in her. I always thought it was interesting that the fans
picked up on that and wanted to know more.
Who
would Marnie end up with?
Kimberly: I feel
like there could be a couple of different scenarios. I feel like she would
likely be doing something in Halloweentown,
like running for Mayor… or something being on the consul. She was always that
type, she had so many goals and she wanted to push Halloweentown forward to
being a more progressive and moral. She wanted mortals and the residents of
Halloweentown to be able to live together, that was always her dream.
I feel like she would still be working on that in some
aspects. I don’t know if she’d be completely settled down with kids yet. I feel
like we could pick up, a few years post college, to see what she was going to
do with her life outside of a witch and then she would move in to what kind of
family or whatever she wanted to have. She always had that independent streak
in her. I feel like she would have a checklist of goals and dreams that she
would want to achieve before having a family.
Favorite
creature in Halloweentown?
Kimberly: Ooh,
Benny is definitely up there! Hmmm… I always loved Natalie the pink troll in
the third one. I loved trolls as a kid, so that was really cool. They were
always so good with those characters, so unique.
Would
you be open to starring another Halloweentown movie?
Kimberly: I’m
open to anything! I’ve always been supportive of the channel and grateful for
them to being part of the D COM club. I recently attended the 100th
movie celebration and walking in and seeing four movies on the wall that I was
in, was really neat. They do great stuff and I’m always grateful to be a part
of that family.
Your
fans had several questions for you, would you mind answering a few of them? They
were gathered on Wattpad, Facebook, and Twitter.
Kimberly: Of course!
Gavin
Hetherington asks, “Would you be up for a 5th film or a reunion
special?”
Kimberly:
Yeah, I’m open to anything! I love Marnie and all of her
stories. I appreciate that people are still asking all of these years later.
AriHawks
asks, “What was Kimberly’s favorite movie and line?”
Kimberly:
I don’t know that I have one favorite. Marnie had some great
lines in the Halloweentown films.
When I’m out, people always try to get me to say, “Halloween is cool.”
I did another film called Tumbleweeds
years ago and my character was a character coming into her own. She always had
some good lines. I appreciate characters who say how they feel. You can say
stuff and don’t get in trouble, because it’s not really you saying it.
I did another film called Big Bad Wolf,
where I played a tomboy. It was really fun because I got to do a lot of improve
and shoot from the hip with a lot of that dialogue. It was fun to be given that
freedom. That’s why I enjoy acting!
Especially_You_2
asks, “Okay, what is your favorite memory from filming the Halloweentown movies?”
Kimberly:
Ooh! I don’t know if I could narrow that down. Um… Oh boy! A
lot of the scenes where I got to do a lot of one-on-one stuff with Debbie was
always a highlight. We would always try little things in the scene to mess with
each other to show just how special that relationship that Marnie and Aggie
had. Those days were always super fun for me. Being able to spend time with her
and hear her stories… the time that I got to spend with her in that sense,
those were always really special.
I also really enjoyed my time with J
Paul (Joey Zimmerman a.k.a. Dylan Piper, Marnie’s older brother). Marnie and
Dylan’s relationship was always fun. We had fun giving each other hell in
scenes and showing that aspect of the brother sister relationship.
Tamoja
asks, “How do you feel about magic now?”
Kimberly:
I believe in magic. I believe there’s magic everywhere. I
have an Etsy
store where I craft with one of my friends
and she is one of those people who can craft something out of nothing, so we
kind of turned our Saturday weekend hobbies into projects for the Etsy store.
I have a design idea for a shirt and
it’s probably going to say, “I Believe in Magic,” because I really do and I
want other people to believe that everybody has magic within themselves and you
really need to look for it. Magic can mean so many different things to
different people. I’ve been working on it so I can add it to the Etsy store,
because I’d want to wear a shirt like that and I think other people would want
to as well.
MommaLisa
Van Slate asks, “Is there going to be a wedding in Halloweentown?
Kimberly:
That’s an interesting question! I think there are a ton of possibilities. I think any of the
characters, even including Gwen could have found love again. Gosh, there’s so
many possibilities! It kind of depends on how far the last movie things pick
up, but I think there could be romance in the air for anyone of the Cromwell
clan and for any of the other creatures that people have gotten to know and
love over the years.
Emily
Wittig asks, “If you could play any other character (in any movie), who would you
play?”
Kimberly:
It’s kind of hard because some of the films I love, I can’t
imagine anyone else playing those parts then the person playing it. There was
one book growing up that comes to mind. I was approached briefly years ago when
they were thinking about making called The
True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. I loved that book and I read it
because they were thinking about making it a movie and it became one of my
favorite books. I loved that book! I loved how strong the character was and
that would have been so cool. That’s a movie that I think should be made as a
film.
Chris
Buono asks, “What was it about Halloweentown that interested you in wanting to
be a part of it?”
Kimberly:
Oh, I think Marnie really! Other than that, the idea overall
of there being a place like Halloweentown and Halloween is obviously one of the
best holidays. I really fell in love with Marnie and being able to play such a
fun teenager who had magic powers and was so determined, she was just such a
blast to play, so definitely her. Basically, personally wanting to watch
Halloweentown come to life after reading about it and knowing about it, it was
just so much fun! I was my own little fan of the story. Getting to watch them put
together the town and the sets, that part equally as interesting. It was just
as great being able to watch the story come to life as it was getting to be an
actor in the films.
What was it like
being on Guiding Light? What did you learn from (being on) the soap (and) from
Newman and Kim Zimmer?
Kimberly: Guiding
Light was one of my favorite memories and jobs overall. Kim Zimmer and Robert
were my parents (on the show) and they were like second parents in real life.
They taught me so much as actors and as people. It was just so much fun to be
able to play these different story lines and getting to explore some of those
emotions as a kid, especially the ones that wouldn’t really happen in real
life.
It was a training ground for me as an actor because you
would shoot one episode a day, which is unheard of with any other type of
project, as far as film and television. I’m still in touch with several of the
cast members and crew from the show and we are definitely like a family. I
sometimes miss that the show isn’t on the air anymore, because it was just such
a big part of my career and my life.
***
A huge thank you to Kimberly J. Brown for her time and
sharing such amazing responses to both my questions as well as questions from
her fans.
Kimberly is very active on social media, so check her out on
all of the links below!
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/OffialKJB
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/OfficialKJB
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/OfficialKJB
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/OfficialKJB
Etsy Store: www.CraftilyCreative.Etsy.com
Also, if you’re interested in checking out a short fan
fiction Halloweentown story written by yours truly, click on the link below.
Halloweentown: The
Lost Witch: https://www.wattpad.com/story/80358827-halloweentown-the-lost-witch-fan-fiction
Oh! One more thing! If you’d like to help bring a fifth
Halloweentown film back, click on the link below, which is a petition asking
Disney to bring back this epic film series!
Thank you again, to Kimberly J. Brown for gracing us with
her magical presence!
Kelly Anne Blount
USA TODAY Bestselling Author
SpoilerTV Writer
