On the Scene with Kimee Balmilero

Kimee Balmilero waited a whole day after graduating from Castle High School in 1997 to join the national touring company of “Miss Saigon.” Balmilero’s three years with the musical production were followed by advanced training at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, a place in the original Broadway cast of “Mamma Mia!” and a high-profile spot in “Hi-5,” a U.S. children’s television show that was shot in Australia.

Back in Hawaii, Balmilero, 37, made her directorial debut with Diamond Head Theatre’s production of “Mamma Mia!” last summer and joined the cast of “Hawaii Five-0” in the recurring role of medical examiner Dr. Noelani Cunha.

JOHN BERGER: Did you audition for “Five-0” or did they call you?

KIMEE BALMILERO: I met the casting director, Rachel Sutton, in 2012 when I did my first episode of “Hawaii Five-0” in Season 2. I’m very thankful that she thought of me when this role came up (and that) she really pushed for me as a Hawaii-based actor.

JB: Do people recognize you from the show?

KB: The glasses I wear on the show are the same as the ones I wear in my real life, so I do get some “don’t I know you?” looks from time to time.

While my grandma was recovering from heart surgery last year, she kept telling the hospital staff that I was a doctor. When one of her nurses said, “You’re a doctor?” it was fun to respond with, “No, but I play one on TV.”

JB: Going back to the beginning, how much culture shock did you experience joining the national touring company of “Miss Saigon” the day after you graduated from high school?

KB: I joined the tour in San Antonio, Texas, so it was pretty crazy. I was lucky to join a company with several other Castle grads — including Michael Bright and his wife, Jade — so that made adjusting to tour life a lot easier.

JB: You had a successful career on the mainland. Did you have any doubts about coming back?

KB: When I made the decision to move back home five years ago, I never expected to be able to continue working as an actor. I’ve worked really hard for a long time, and to be able to return to Hawaii and contribute to a successful show feels fantastic.

“On the Scene” appears weekly in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Sunday Magazine. Reach John Berger at jberger@staradvertiser.com.