In Her Words (Creating a Good Character): Katina Corrao

When I was just a wee little Katina, my favorite song from Sesame Street was, The People in your Neighborhood. Do you know that song? It went like this… Who are the people in your neighborhood? In your neighborhood? In your Neigh-bor-hood-OH, Who are the people in your neighborhood? They’re the people that you meet each day. It was seriously the best song. My eyes would widen with glee as I learned about the firefighter, the grocery clerk, and even Barbara Walters. It was nice to know a little more about the people who walked down Sesame Street. After all, they were the neighbors.

As I grew older and more sophisticated, my television palette advanced. I left Sesame Street and gravitated towards something a little more cultured… sit-coms. I was fascinated with neighbors like Mrs. Kravitz from Bewitched, Mrs. Roper from Three’s Company and Urkel from Family Matters. They were not on-screen very much but when they did make an appearance I was so happy. It was like seeing a friend you hadn’t seen in a while. There was a little excitement in my heart because I knew whatever they did would make me laugh. They didn’t hold back and what you saw with them was what you got. Plus, they always had the most outrageous wardrobes!

One rainy day I was watching a show called The Hogan Family (formerly Valerie’s Family, formerly Valerie) and in the middle of it, something happened. <Slight pause. Turn lips in, bite down, look up> For the first time, I saw Mrs. Poole. That’s right. Mrs. Patty Poole walked through the door and I knew I found my inspiration. “Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Mrs. Poole, yes! Yes! I love you, that’s it. Right there. I wanna be you, can I? can I?,” I would say when she came on screen. She was who I wanted to be. I thought, good Lord give me the strength to be even half as amazing as Mrs. Poole. The way she would come through the door with her signature, “Heidy Ho Neighbor!” Ha-ha. She was the best. It was settled, I wanted to be as awe-inspiring as Mrs. Poole. Striving to be the nosey neighbor in a sit-com, became my ultimate goal.

I practiced hard to be nosey, you know, for “character” sake. I was extra curious, a little intrusive, and sometimes downright annoying. But to me, the greatest thing about the nosey neighbor is that despite all the flaws there is a good heart in there. Plus, they are reliable, knowledgeable and always have your back. Even though nosey neighbor characters are in fact nosey, you can’t wait for them to come through the door.

So how was I going to make my dream a reality?

It all started with my good friend and neighbor Michael Cyril Creighton. Michael first introduced me to the world of web series with his award-winning, Jack in a Box. (I play Suzie, his annoying co-worker.) After doing just one episode with him and the equally talented and astute Jim Turner (who now shoots and edits mine too!) I knew it was time to give birth to The Good Neighbor Minute. Jim came on board with complete passion and talent and helps me fulfill my dream with every episode. Yes, as corny as it sounds The Good Neighbor Minute is a dream come true. I get to “visit “ some of the most talented people I know (my friends), and create worlds with them. We do have the show scripted ahead of time but so much is improvised. I love the moments when words are forced out of your mouth because of the strong emotions going on inside. It’s truly magical.

So, I ask you, Who are the people in your neighborhood? Do you want to know the people in mine? It only takes a Good Neighbor Minute.

KATINA CORRAO
CREATOR AND STAR, A GOOD NEIGHBOR MINUTE