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Interview with Katherine Gauthier
We discovered Katherine Gauthier last year in 100 Saints you should know, a Pacific Theatre production, falling immediately under her charms. With more than her fair share of enthusiasm and talent, this Franco-Ontarian now living in Vancouver plays the irrestible Adèle in Statu Quo this spring.
Katherine Gauthier
What made you want to work on Statu Quo with Théâtre la Seizième?
I love the team and the people who gravitate around Théâtre la Seizième. They’re like a little family that has the reputation for taking good care of their artists. As as Franco-Canadian, it’s incredible for me to be able to work in French. I grew up watching French-Canadian theatre and the first play I ever performed in was a play by Jean-Marc Dalpé! So I feel like I’m coming home, in a way.
In your opinion, is there a difference between francophone and anglophone theatre in Canada?
In general, I find that French theatre is more audacious. French theatre takes more risks. It doesn’t hesitate to show the ugliness in things, or to expose audience to less comfortable situations. I also find it to be more emotional and more centred on interpersonal relationships. In English, we prefer to talk about ideas and to be witty. It’s more intellectual.
We’ve seen you in a number of productions in Vancouver, but this is the first time you’ve acted in French in a professional setting. How’s it going so far?
It’s an immense challenge! My vocabulary in French is more limited and I struggled a little to express myself when rehearsals started. Fortunately, everyone has been very patient with me! I already feel like I’ve progressed over the past three weeks. My French has quickly come back to me and I’m getting more and more comfortable.
If nothing else, this is an experience that allows me to reconnect with the francophone in me that is more direct, more confident. Even my voice is lower in French! It’s worth noting that the entire team works with honesty and simplicity and I find that the play is being well served. Statu Quo also opens the doors to a myriad of possibilities. I’m discovering networks, like the ATFC, and resources that I didn’t even know existed. It makes me want to work more in French.
Is it interesting for you to work on a new script?
Original pieces are by far my favourite projects. It’s a honour for me to breathe life into an author’s words for the first time, to be the first actor to create Adèle. The fact that Gilles Poulin-Denis, the playwright, is working with us in the rehearsal hall is very special. It allows us to get very precise directions when it comes to the meaning of the play, and, on our end, to contribute to polishing the script. I feel really lucky to be doing this.
What’s waiting for you after Statu Quo?
Immediately after touring Statu Quo, I’ll be moving to Toronto to work at Soulpepper Academy. It’s a two-year program where I’ll be able to create alongside 8 other emerging artists from all parts of Canada, while being surrounded by established mentors. Soulpepper works on both musical and repertory theatre, and as a member of the Academy, I’ll get the chance to work on some of their productions.
