Pictured: Daniel Kyri

Jump inside the brains of Chicago theater artists as we ask them 10 questions that were in no way inspired by “Inside the Actor’s Studio.”

What’s the one role/show you’ve always wanted to work on that you haven’t yet?

Romeo. I have always, always, always wanted to play Romeo. I’m a Libra. So I fall tragically in love about as easily and twice as quickly as he does. Honestly, it’s just mad relatable content.

What current production, besides one of your own, are you most excited about?

“Father Comes Home From the Wars.” I’ve never seen a Suzan-Lori Parks piece produced. I’ve only read her stuff on the page. And I wanna do “Topdog/Underdog” at some point with like Namir Smallwood. (No one asked but I’m just saying)

If you couldn’t be in theater, what career would you have chosen?

I would be a singer/songwriter type. I mean I am already (my mixtape #idk is dropping this summer), and while that interest isn’t wholly separate from a theatrical career, I think I would focus more on it. The music scene in Chicago is so vibrant and the musicians out of here? They’re the new renaissance. Most of them are queer, POC, and/or from the same neighborhoods as me. The ones local (and national) media (and government) love to attack and disenfranchise. We’re fighting back with our voice and our style and our art-as-politics practices and it’s lit. #nocopacademy

What quote or saying do people spout but is really complete BS?

What is a quote? There are only memes now. Ask me about memes. Have you seen the meme of the Oakland woman who called the police on this BBQ shindig?

What would you name your boat if you had one?

Reparations 

What will finally break the internet?

Rollback of net neutrality? Mark Zuckerberg? Russia, probably.

What well-known fictional character would be the most boring to meet in real life?

Harry Potter. In real life he would probably be named Chad and have a seemingly endless supply of polos, needlessly celebrated mediocrity, and white cis-male privilege. Don’t @ me.

What is a play or musical that you cannot stand (CATS is not an acceptable answer)?

First of all, “Cats.” Second of all, I don’t know. “Dear Evan Hansen”? Kitchen-sink dramas about dysfunctional white families?

What is a play or musical that you love (CATS is not an acceptable answer)? 

Okay. “Topdog/Underdog” (I really wanna be in this play). Also, I fell in love with “The Pillowman” in high school. I’ve never seen a professional production of it, but I think it would be mad fun to do that show.

What are you reading, watching or listening to right now? 

I’m listening to Growing Concerns Poerty Collective a lot right now. Also Eryn Allen Kane, Jaden Smith, and Ari Lennox. The only thing I have time to watch lately are the edits for my web series the T (June 18th is the Chicago and West Coast premieres). I’m re-reading The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin whenever I have a moment.

Daniel Kyri is a Chicago-based actor who can currently be seen in Gift Theatre’s production of HAMLET. For more information visit thegifttheatre.org. A Jeff Award-nominated actor, filmmaker, and writer, Kyri is featured on this season of Chicago Med and in Stephen Cone’s award-winning film Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party, now streaming on Netflix. He has starred in productions at Lookingglass Theatre (Moby Dick), Steppenwolf Theatre Company (Monster), Chicago Shakespeare Theatre (Tug of War pt. I & II), Goodman Theatre (Objects in the Mirror) and was most recently seen in Robert O’Hara’s production of Macbeth at Denver Center for Performing Arts. He is represented by Stewart Talent and is currently working on his writing/directing/producing debut “the T” for which he was named Chicago’s 2018 Filmmaker-in-Residence.