A Quick Chat With Kathleen Douglas
Kathleen Douglas moved to Victoria from Perth to study Music Theatre in the inaugural Bachelor of Music Theatre course at VCA. No longer a student, she has taken the independent theatre world by storm working on workshops and performing with The Improv Conspiracy around Melbourne.
Kathleen will be starring in Fancy Meeting You: The Songs of Harold Arlen – a homage to the great American Songbook at Melbourne's Butterfly Club with fellow performers Izaak Lim and Amalie O'Hara next week.
We caught up with this sweet chanteuse to ask her our 20 Questions…
Kathleen, originally from Perth, graduated in 2011 from the inaugural Bachelor of Music Theatre at the Victorian College of the Arts. Some of her performances at VCA included “Clarice” in Dreamsong, a new Australian musical directed by Michael Gurr and “Anybodys” in West Side Story directed by Martin Croft. This year she played the role of “Sarah” in the workshop of a new Australian musical; One More Year. You can also catch her performing with The Improv Conspiracy around Melbourne.
1. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wish I could say something interesting like Zoo Keeper but performing is all I've ever wanted to do.
2. Who is the most important person in the world to you?
I have to say my parents. Because they'll read this.
3. What animal best represents you and why?
I like to think I'm a monkey because who doesn't love monkeys?! But I am often told of my likeness to meerkats. This is probably because I do a mean Timone impersonation.
4. If you were a contestant on Deal or No Deal, how much would need to be on offer before you walked away?
IF I was a contestant! Oh the joy that would bring! I actually recently went to a taping day with a friend. We got the day off work and dragged ourselves out of bed early, so pumped to win loads of money! But we ended up being part of the only group that never even got to open a briefcase! I did not read the fine print. But if I had made it up there I would be happy at $25,000, that's probably what I owe my parents for the VCA years.
5. What was the first piece of theatre/film/TV you appeared in and how old were you?
I played Mrs. Claus at our school assembly when I was seven. Nailed it.
6. Windows or MAC?
M.A.C. They have the best lipsticks!
7. Favourite food?
Twisties. I've had a packet a day habit since I
had teeth.
8. Who is the actor you'd most like to work alongside?
I'm gonna say Brent Hill, he's my favourite music theatre performer at the moment and that's an achievable goal yeah?
9. What five songs would you put on a mixtape?
Valerie -Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse
Sunday Morning – Maroon 5
Love Lost – The Temper Trap
Don't Panic – Coldplay
Maybe This Time – Liza!
10. What is the best thing about theatre in Australia?
Oh it has to be the people!
11. What is the worst thing about theatre in Australia?
Did I mention the people? Kidding! They're cool. It all boils down to money. It's not easy for actors, we don't have as many opportunities as actors overseas, that's why we gotta get the LPA back to the table to protect our jobs.
12. Name one moment when you looked around, breathed happily and felt content.
Today! I'd just had coffee with friends at the Malthouse then walked home in the sunshine singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
13. Where is the most interesting place you have travelled?
Florida. Best. Theme Parks. Ever.
14. Who is the most famous person you have ever met?
Geoffrey Rush!
15. Most embarrassing thing that has happened to you onstage?
Oh I've done it all. Fallen over, forgotten lines, costume malfuctions; Guys and Dolls “Take back you hat” (Oh crap where's my hat!?). I even called another character by a completely different name at the end of a two week run! Somehow my brain jumped months back and reverted to her old name in the workshop. I'm still copping it for that. That's the thrill of live theatre!
16. What's your life motto?
Make the most of everything.
17. What's your favourite post-show snack?
Twisties, seriously, every day.
18. What's your biggest phobia?
Forgetting Mum's birthday. Once was enough.
19. What is the worst date you've ever had?
How long have you got? They range from the guy who brought an old bag of Jaffas from home on a date to the movies (I hate Jaffas), to the guy who insisted on keeping our date despite me being chained to the couch with a cold, who talked all about his ex-girlfriend then somehow got locked in my bathroom! I had to pretend to fall asleep to get him out!
20. Where do you see yourself in five years?
On Deal or No Deal, winning the big bucks!
Fancy Meeting You plays from Thursday 15th November- Sunday 18th November
Tickets are $23 for adults and $20 concession, available from www.thebutterflyclub.com
