Mindy Kaling Honors Dartmouth Roots With New Theater Lab

Instagram/@mindykaling

Mindy Kaling announced a big something with a major payoff. The actress/writer/producer came out and said that she has been busy with Dartmouth College on the creation and establishment of the Mindy Kaling Theater Lab in the Hopkins Center. And yes, it’s kind of a big deal.

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In an intimate post on Instagram, Kaling spoke on how her time at Dartmouth was very dear to her. She reminisced about doing improv, directing plays, and perhaps quietly realizing that she actually could make it in entertainment: “I loved my time at Dartmouth. It’s where I did yes, improv, directed and acted in plays, made lifelong friends, and fell in love with writing for the stage.”

This, however, is not about memory lane. The lab is going to be there for a brave group of next students at Dartmouth willing to risk it: to fail and bring forth a kind of work that has never been seen before. “I hope this lab gives the next generation the space to try, to fail, to take risks, and to invent the kind of work that hasn’t been seen before.” On a personal note, she is thrilled that she will be able to proudly point to a building on campus that carries the name of an Indian woman. “That legacy means more than anything”

A deluge of love came rushing in from friends, colleagues, and fans alike. Actor Ike Barinholtz joked about an “Ike Barinholtz Improv Annex,” igniting an amusing thread of replies. One contributor asked jokingly, “at the very least a porta-potty,” while another said, “Morgan needs his 10%,” an obvious reference to Kaling’s character Kelly Kapoor from ‘The Office.’ If you’re curious about Kaling’s relationship with B.J. Novak, there are some interesting insights available in a recent article about them.

Others such as actress Tia Carrere praised Kaling’s Hawaiian graduation attire, although Carrere mistakenly typed “lies” rather than “leis” before fixing it. Meanwhile, longtime friend Jocelyn Pearl (joce808) jokingly asked whether this would finally guarantee Kaling’s attendance for a reunion, to which someone responded, “I’ll drive her up from Boston!”

Floods of support followed such comments. Another fan declared, “We need more badass women’s names on buildings!!!!” while yet another called it “an absolute amazing piece of your legacy.” Holland Taylor, who shares a connection with Kaling through ‘Malcolm in the Middle,’ said, “This is wonderful, Mindy! I’m so impressed!”

The photograph accompanying this post is from graduation day where Kaling smiles for the camera in her floral lei and academic regalia. Next to her is a friend, who is likely caught in a joyous moment herself-or at least the very kinds of memories Kaling is clearly hopeful to provide for future students.

Kaling’s ties with Dartmouth run deep. A full-circle moment, however, is what the theatre lab denotes well beyond private donation. From a student who secretly dreamed of somehow working on the entertainment side to a powerhouse putting her name on the school that is an integral piece of her characterization: an indicator of a long way her spirits have come. The reactions alone indicate that this is going to be just the first step of a much larger impact that she shall make on the next generation of creators.

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So yes, Mindy Kaling is ensuring that arts flourish in her alma mater. And honestly? That is a legacy worthy of joy and celebration. Go Big Green! You can read more about Kaling’s thoughts on a potential spin-off of “Never Have I Ever” in another article.