Passage - Marie Kamara Monk

Actress recalled for talent
Thursday, November 13, 2008
By Michael Grossberg
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Central Ohio actress Marie Kamara Monk, who appeared at Contemporary American Theatre Company, is being remembered for her talent and promise. Kamara, 33, died Saturday of complications from kidney disease.

"We were hoping that dialysis would correct her condition, but she took an unexpected turn," said her husband, Samuel Monk. The couple, who married in 2005, lived in Dublin.
"Her acting was her passion. It's what she did up until the very end, and it's what she wanted to do for the rest of her life," he said. "She loved working with everyone."

Monk received good reviews in the past two seasons for her CATCO roles, playing strong-minded Grace in The Piano Lesson, a single-minded mother dedicated to her son's future in Doubt and sassy Wanda in the musical Crowns. "She dug deeply into her characters and was very thoughtful about her performances, . . . which generated strong responses from critics and audiences," said CATCO Artistic Director Geoff Nelson, who directed her in Doubt.

Otterbein College professor Ed Vaughan, who directed The Piano Lesson, praised her professionalism and positive spirit. "What I liked most about Marie is she made me laugh and kept everyone loose. . . . She had a great smile when she came into the room, which made everyone smile." Monk also appeared at MadLab Theatre and in corporate films, training videos and TV commercials.

"She was a very sweet-spirited person who worked very hard in MadLab's Too Much Christmas," Artistic Director Chris Lane said. Acting teacher Kevin McClatchy, who appears frequently on TV shows shot in Los Angeles and New York, said Monk was "the kind of person you love to be able to teach because she was willing to try anything and talented enough to make it work. . . . For central Ohio theatergoers, it's a big loss because she was something special."

Monk, who worked as an executive recruiter and certified public accountant with Ajilon Finance, is survived by her husband, parents Albert and Mary Kamara of Dublin, brothers Ishmieal Kamara of Columbus and Albert Kamara of Maryland, and sister Ema Kamara of Maryland.
Viewing will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday and 12 to 1 p.m. Saturday, followed by a "celebration of life" memorial service at 1 p.m. Saturday at Rutherford Funeral Homes, 450 W. Olentangy St., Powell.

Donations in Monk's memory can be sent to the Lupus Foundation of America, 6119 E. Main St., Columbus.