Law student has acting in her blood, in more ways than one
By Lucianna Ciccocioppo
When second-year law student Kate Southwell played Portia in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, the famous “lawyer’s speech” in the final act had a certain resonance for her.
“I had been thinking about going to law school,” says Southwell, a fine arts graduate from University of Windsor. “A lot of the skills used in acting—textual analysis, public speaking, communication—are used in the law profession as well.”
Those skills will be put to use this summer when she plays Viola in Twelfth Night, an outdoor production at U of T by Canopy Theatre and Hart House Theatre. It takes place July 13 to 24, 2010 in Philosopher’s Walk, appropriately just a stone’s throw away from her current, full-time “gig” at U of T Law.
“I couldn’t give up acting,” says Southwell. “I think I’d go crazy if I did,” she says with a laugh.
This passion runs deep, as she is not being paid for her acting—all revenues go back into supporting Canopy Theatre to continue its productions. She is, however, working as a research assistant for Prof. Anver Emon this summer, and says she’s grateful to him for giving her time off to pursue this role, one she calls her favourite.
Southwell has a long list of acting credits, in Fringe Festivals and independent films, experiences that she says will serve her well in her future law career.
“I think everybody should have an acting degree,” says Southwell. “I’ve learned it’s not so much about what you say or do, but how you react to people and their actions.”
And for the second time, she’s acting alongside her boyfriend, Andrew Knowlton, who plays Sebastian, Viola’s twin brother.
“This is a really funny, racy Shakespeare production,” she says with excitement, “much bawdier than other productions, with lots of physical action on stage. I hope lots of people come to see it.”
For more information on Canopy Theatre, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, and to purchase tickets, view: http://canopytheatre.ca/
Photo: David Leyes
