AceShowbiz - Kara Young finds herself in an unfamiliar emotional space as she prepares to return to the Broadway stage in the acclaimed play Proof. "I have all the feelings, but I don't know how to even describe them," she admits just hours before a performance. This moment represents a new chapter in her career, not because of the play itself — a familiar territory for the New York native — but because she is simultaneously preparing for the release of her first lead role in a studio film, Is God Is, hitting theaters across North America on May 15.

For those who know Kara Young, her Broadway credentials are impressive: she has secured two consecutive Tony Awards and received nominations for four years running, becoming the first Black actor to achieve such a streak. While her success on the Great White Way is well-established, the leap to leading a feature film represents a significant milestone. Critics have praised her performance in Proof, suggesting she may continue her Tony streak, but the excitement now also lies in the broader exposure that cinema promises.

The progression to film feels natural for Young, who has built a reputation over the past decade for delivering powerful, nuanced performances on stage. Her co-star in Proof, Ayo Edebiri, describes her as "a wonderful scene partner—passionate, deeply interrogative, and endlessly curious." Edebiri adds, "She feels so very deeply and fully; it's pretty astounding to be in contact with. When she brings that into her work, it never feels untethered or ostentatious."

Kara Young stepped into Proof under intense circumstances. She replaced Samira Wiley, who had to withdraw due to health reasons just before previews began. "I had five days in the rehearsal room and then went straight to tech, so I didn't have much time to prepare," she recalls. She describes this process as "quick and dirty," relying heavily on instinct and trusting her craft. "You have to trust your instrument and know that if it's wrong, you can adjust," she explains. Her decision to take the role was easy, reflecting her current career philosophy: "Either you wait to get something on television or film, or you work and work on your instrument and keep your sword sharpened."

Despite her rising profile as one of Broadway's most decorated talents, Young emphasizes that her life hasn't dramatically changed in terms of Hollywood opportunities. "People say, like, 'Oh my God, all these things have happened,' but I feel like I'm still hustling," she says. "I don't think that's a bad thing, but people are always under the assumption that the thing has gotten perhaps easier. But I haven't really seen a change."

Her screen credits include smaller roles in Boots Riley’s projects I’m a Virgo and the upcoming I Love Boosters, plus recurring parts in popular series such as The Punisher and The Staircase. Yet, Is God Is marks a distinct turning point. Her lead role in this film is expected to introduce her to a much wider audience than a Broadway theater could accommodate, potentially shifting perceptions of her career from stage star to major screen presence.

Writer-director Aleshea Harris, who adapted Is God Is from her own Pulitzer Prize-finalist play, praises Young as "a rare gift, a once-in-a-lifetime talent." Harris hopes the film will open new doors for her both on stage and on screen. The director’s original 2018 play, which debuted at Soho Rep, was described by The New York Times as a bold, stylized revenge story that invited comparisons to Quentin Tarantino and Martin McDonagh. While Young knew Harris through theater circles, she was profoundly impacted by the play. "It blew my mind," she says, noting the cult status the production quickly gained among theatergoers.

After auditioning for the film, Young secured the role of Racine, one of twin sisters in a violent quest for vengeance. The story opens with Racine and her sister Anaia (played by Mallori Johnson) summoned by their mother Ruby (Vivica A. Fox), whom they believed to be dead. Ruby, disfigured by burns like her daughters, reveals the abuse they suffered at the hands of their father, played by Sterling K. Brown. She tasks them with finding and killing him.

The film skillfully balances raw emotional moments with intense, stylized action sequences. Viewers gain intimate insight into Racine and Anaia’s bond, conveyed so deeply that their silent exchanges—whether brushing their teeth or hiding from danger—are visually represented on screen. To prepare, Young and Johnson worked closely with a choreographer to develop an authentic "twin energy," focusing less on mimicry and more on creating a symbiotic connection.

The narrative explores the sisters’ traumatic past and their encounters with a colorful supporting cast, including standout performances by Erika Alexander and Janelle Monáe. Throughout, the film features graphic violence, stunts, and weapon handling, reflecting the brutal nature of the story.

"I fully immersed myself in Aleshea's world," Young says. "Anything that she wanted said or needed from me, I was always ready, willing, and able." When asked about the frequent comparisons to directors like Tarantino, she respectfully distances the film from such analogies: "I don’t blame them for thinking that way, yet Aleshea Harris is in her own lane. It’s quite easy for other people to relate it to that because that is just how we are taught in this world, to make a relation to very popular pop culture references. But I don’t think that it can be in comparison to anything because it’s unlike anything."

Young’s intense commitment to the project shines through in her performance, which conveys a complex blend of resilience, survival, and the search for identity. "I know that we don’t have this in our canon," she reflects. "I’m thinking all the words I could possibly think of: our joys, our resilience, our survival, our wanting to know our histories, our interrogation of our own lives. I mean, there’s just so much. There’s so much, and it’s never one thing with this movie."

The film represents a unique release for Amazon MGM Studios, contrasting with their blockbuster hit Project Hail Mary. Leading up to its theatrical debut, Young finds herself at the forefront of a significant promotional campaign, stepping into the spotlight as a first-time movie star. After her Proof performances, she often engages with fans at the stage door, where conversations increasingly turn toward her upcoming film.

As Kara Young prepares to reach new audiences through Is God Is, her journey from Broadway’s revered stages to the cinematic screen signals a promising expansion of her artistic influence. While the transition brings fresh challenges, her unwavering dedication and profound talent suggest that this is only the beginning of a compelling new chapter in her career.