We spoke with actress Malube Uhindu-Gingala who plays nurse Tarika Hill in the new drama Five Days At Memorial which recently premiered on AppleTV+. Based on actual events and adapted from the book by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Sheri Fink, Five Days at Memorial chronicles the impact of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath on a local hospital.

When the floodwaters rose, power failed and heat soared, exhausted caregivers at a New Orleans hospital were forced to make decisions that would follow them for years to come. The ensemble cast also includes Vera Farmiga, Cornelius Smith Jr., Cherry Jones, Robert Pine, Julie Ann Emery, Adepero Oduye, Molly Hager, Michael Gaston and W. Earl Brown.

We asked Malube about working on the series, what she hopes audiences get when they tune in, her career as a storyteller and lots more. Check out our conversation below.

When did you decide that storytelling and acting was something you wanted to do? 

Malube Uhindu-Gingala (MUG): I decided when I was very young. I loved watching films with my parents and being engaged in the storylines. At the time, I didn’t have an awareness that storytelling and acting were actual occupations. It looked like a lot of fun to act like someone else and be able to evoke emotions from the audience. Later, I acted in school plays and dove into storytelling and acting as an occupation. I know that this is what I am meant to do; it is my life’s work. 

What was it like working on Five Days At Memorial? 

MUG: Nothing short of incredible and revealing. There were moments where I felt like I was at summer camp with friends, and then it was “time to act!” Most times I felt like I was in this incredible masterclass, where I was surrounded by the very best and I would just surrender to what was going on in the story. You know, everyday that I was on set, I was taken by how much work and precision it took in order to tell such an important story in the most respectful way. There was a high level of care given by John Ridley and Carlton Cuse, and I’m sure that you can tell by the result. 

What was your first acting role? 

MUG: My first professional role was for the SummerWorks Festival, where I played Joelle in “Keen,” directed by Mumbi Tindyebwa and written by the late Maxine Marcellin. Joelle was grief stricken from her sister’s sudden death, so much so that she has a mental breakdown which results in her not speaking. 

What do you enjoy the most about acting? 

MUG: It varies! Right now I’m at the point where I love the analysis part of it. Getting to know my characters, their relationships, the preparation and the rehearsal process. I love immersing myself into a role; disappearing in their skin and the process that helps me get there. There’s so much magic that happens in the discovery of the work, which thrills me. Of course, when I get to working with my scene partner on set, all of the work that I’ve done in the background merges with the production, the director’s vision and what my scene partner brings to the table. Then, the real fun begins and a story emerges. 

When people watch Five Days At Memorial, what are you hoping they get out of it?

MUG: Most of all, I would love for people to gain clarity on Hurricane Katrina, the story of Memorial Hospital and the understanding that there are so many facets to what happened. It’s normal to have so many feelings about what occurred. Even today, it’s complicated to comprehend what happened during those 5 days and thereafter. I know that 17 years ago, when Hurricane Katrina occurred, I heard about it and days later, I became detached from it. This is an opportunity to humanize the situation and the people that were involved in the massacre. 

Outside of acting, what are your other interests or passions? 

MUG: I love hiking, like a lot. It grounds me when I hike. I already have my hiking gear ready for the winter time! When I reach the top of a mountain, I feel accomplished and I feel that anything I set my mind to is possible. I’ve been writing for as long as I have learned how to write. I’m becoming a plant mom, so get back to me in a year to see how that pans out! I’m a coffee collector and a wine collector.
 
What has been the best advice someone has given you about acting?

MUG: That if being an actor is what I truly want to do, then I must embody that desire with every ounce of my being. I must live and breathe acting. Everyday, I have to be doing something to advance my career: sleeping well, training, exercising, taking care of my mental health, spending time with my support system. Every breath is an investment towards a better life for myself. Saying yes to  being devoted to my acting career means I’m saying yes to myself, and I’m showing integrity to myself; I’m showing myself that I love myself. Marianna Phung, my coach and dear dear friend taught me this.

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Five Days At Memorial is now streaming on Apple TV+.

Follow Malube Uhindu-Gingala: Instagram

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