If you are looking for Katherine Mallen Kupferer on April 15, you will find her in Los Angeles attending the premiere of the long-awaited movie, “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” The 15-year-old Evanston actor plays the part of Gretchen, one of the title character’s best friends, in the Lionsgate film based on the beloved Judy Blume children’s novel.
It’s the latest achievement by the Evanston Township High School freshman, who has been immersed in the performing arts since she was a baby.
“I’ve been acting my whole life because both my parents are actors,” Katherine said.
Her mother, Tara Mallen, is a Jeff Award-winning actor, director and artistic director of Rivendell Theatre Ensemble. Her father, Keith Kupferer, is also a Jeff Award-winning actor, who has performed at the most prestigious Chicago theaters and has a string of film credits.
“When she was born, I was running Rivendell so she’s never not been in the theater,” Mallen said. “When she was little she’d be brought to tech and handed off — ‘Hold the baby, I have to go onstage.'”
Katherine had her first onstage experience when she was five, Mallen recalled. Her father was in “Gypsy” at Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Katherine was chosen to play the Balloon Girl.
“She loved every second of it,” Mallen said.
Katherine said that she really became immersed in acting when she was 10. Her desire to perform goes beyond the fact that both of her parents are actors.
“I really love to entertain people and to tell stories,” Katherine said. “It’s kind of an escape from the real world.”
Katherine’s first major film role was in “Widows,” a 2018 20th Century Fox movie directed by Steve McQueen. Her first major stage role was in the ensemble of “Killing Game” at A Red Orchid Theatre, directed by Dado.
Katherine has studied acting at Piven Theatre Workshop and through her agent, Gray Talent Group.
Naturally, one of her favorite roles is that of Gretchen in “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.”
“I started the audition process before the pandemic,” Katherine said. “I auditioned for Margaret. My mom said, ‘You’d be better for Gretchen,’ which is the role I did end up getting.'”
The teen noted that Gretchen “doesn’t care about what other people think. She goes to the beat of her own drum. That’s what I really love about her character. I think I really connect to her because she’s an incredibly confident young girl and she’s just herself.”
The production halted during the pandemic.
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The film was finally shot for eight weeks in early 2021 in North Carolina.
Since the film was completed, Katherine has been doing readings and auditioning for other parts. Her future plans include studying acting at college to further develop her craft.
The talented young actor has another well-developed interest. She’s an accomplished horseback rider who competes in training events with her horse, Piper. The two of them are featured in a new book, “Quarter Horse Kids: An Eventer: Dressage, Stadium Jumping, and Cross Country” by Jill Thomas.
Piper is at the family farm in upstate New York. When we spoke, Katherine was heading there to spend spring break with her horse.
“I try and go back as often as possible,” she said. “I spend the whole summer there and during winter break. It’s a bit of a haul to get there but we manage. It’s a massive responsibility but she really is my partner. It’s such an incredible experience to work with an animal like that so closely.”
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.