Cate Wolfe, from a young age, harbored a remarkable dream: to live a hundred lives within her own. This aspiration led her to the world of acting, a realm where such a dream could seemingly materialize. But does embodying different lives on stage and screen truly fulfill that childhood vision? In this insightful interview, we delve into the mind of Cate Wolfe, exploring her perspectives on acting, character, and the intriguing allure of portraying both light and darkness.
Embracing the Shadows: Cate Wolfe on Exploring “Evil” Characters
Kingsley (KM) begins by posing a provocative question, inquiring if Cate Wolfe ever experiences the sudden urge to play a truly villainous character. Cate Wolfe (CW) responds with an enthusiastic affirmation, admitting to frequent daydreams fueled by music, often envisioning herself in roles far from virtuous. She playfully acknowledges the perhaps unconventional nature of these desires, imagining characters like a “psychopathic female huntress” who shatters social norms, and doors alike.
KM probes further into the necessity of “evil” within a complete character, even in dreams, questioning if exploring this aspect unsettles her. CW dismisses any sense of unease, finding it instead liberating. She articulates that suppressing the darker facets of oneself is more disturbing than acknowledging them. Acting, for her, becomes a productive outlet for these “shadows.” Cate Wolfe highlights the captivating nature of the interplay between light and dark in performance, observing how conflict and discomfort, often perceived negatively, can be catalysts for growth, learning, compassion, and ultimately, hope.
She delves deeper into the nature of “evil” in characters, associating it with a magnified version of the human desire for personal power. Cate Wolfe believes this desire resonates universally, from childhood acts of cruelty to more significant displays of dominance. For actors, she explains, embodying “evil” characters is an imaginative exercise, a return to childhood make-believe, providing a safe space to explore extremes with “scientific curiosity.”
Cate Wolfe in an interview setting
Blurring Lines: When Character Echoes into Real Life for Cate Wolfe
Moving to a lighter note, KM playfully connects dream diaries with dairy, inquiring if Cate Wolfe has ever dreamed of becoming a “moo moo cow.” CW humorously deflects, revealing a dream of transforming into a dolphin, unrelated to either diaries or dairies.
KM then explores the intriguing phenomenon of actors becoming immersed in their roles, questioning if characters ever seep into their “real” lives. Cate Wolfe confirms this blurring of lines, particularly with lines of dialogue. She shares that lines and mannerisms from past roles often resurface unexpectedly in her daily life, sometimes months or years later, triggered by specific situations. She recounts moments of pausing mid-sentence, realizing she’s echoing a character, leading to brief moments of distraction as she contemplates the connection, leaving her conversational partner waiting.
Dream Roles and Gauging Performance: Cate Wolfe’s Perspective
When asked about her dream character to portray, Cate Wolfe reveals a penchant for traditionally male roles. She expresses a desire to play an “Omani sultan with a pet tiger” or an “Egyptian pharaoh,” showcasing her imaginative range. If confined to pre-existing characters, she chooses the “mischievous quick-footed trickster Greek god Hermes,” further highlighting her attraction to dynamic and unconventional roles.
Finally, KM inquires about how Cate Wolfe evaluates an actor’s performance across different mediums. CW emphasizes audience engagement as the primary metric. While acknowledging the value of technical skill and style, she prioritizes an actor’s connection to the story and their ability to effectively communicate it to the audience. For Cate Wolfe, substance trumps style, making genuine connection the hallmark of a successful performance.
The interview concludes with mutual appreciation between Kingsley and Cate Wolfe, leaving us with a glimpse into the thoughtful and imaginative world of an actor who truly embodies the dream of living multiple lives through her craft.
