Who is Caitlin Berry?
Caitlin is the youngest child in a family of four kids, who dreamt of being a performer since she was 8. She studied at WAAPA straight out of school, and has never looked back. She is also terrible at spelling and loves action films.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
I’m still working on not caring about what people think. It soaks up creativity and encourages you to want to make the safest choice; which is usually boring.
Who inspires you and why?
My brother David is pretty inspiring. He works in the same industry and is very dedicated to his work. We help each other with scenes, and are each other’s best critic and worse, which is the healthiest way to do it. I started acting and singing because I wanted to be like him when I was little.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Education is very important to me. I’m undertaking a Masters of Teaching and am coming to appreciate just how influential teachers are and how they have the power to guide future generations. Education leads to opportunity and the inclusion and participation of a person in society. So, perhaps more grass roots education, especially for woman in developing nations.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I always have Kath and Kim’s voice in my head when I say “Noooossaa”. But I was recently in Queensland with the tour of South Pacific, and travelled with the cast to Noosa on our day off. We swam in the crystal waters and walked through the rainforests; incredibly beautiful.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
I would take them to Sculptures by the Sea. I love the Bondi to Bronte walk and it’s an added bonus when the sculptures are there in the summer. It wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Messina for some outrageous ice cream, and a movie at the outdoor cinema at Mrs Macquarie’s chair.
What are you currently reading?
I just finished reading We are all completely beside ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler. My mum gave it to me and was very anxious for me to finish it so we could discuss the ‘surprise’ in the book. It was a charming little story, which I couldn’t put down.
What are you currently listening to?
The sonnet project CD just came up on my iTunes; So long lives this. It’s an album my friends from WAAPA, Drew and Nai Livingston, made. They composed music to a selection of Shakespeare’s sonnets. The result is magic.
Happiness is?
A big bowl of pasta with creamy mushroom sauce, red wine, and the nail-biting end to some TV series I’ve been glued to. This month it has been “House of Cards”.
What does the future hold for you?
I have just opened Grey Gardens at the Seymour Centre, so that’s very exciting. Beyond that, the future is a very open book. As Edie says, “all I want to do is take the road less travelled”.
Caitlin Berry graduated from WAAPA in 2009. She made her professional debut understudying the lead role of Lucy in Jekyll and Hyde (TML Enterprises). In the same year she played the role of Claire in Jump To It (Echelon Productions) and was a part of the Australian Cast Recording of the Opera Morgan’s Run (Sydney Symphony).
In 2011 Caitlin toured Australia with the new musical Doctor Zhivago, covering the lead role of Tonia (GFO). Soon after, Caitlin performed in Opera Australia’s tour of South Pacific in 2012 and 2013, covering the role of Nellie Forbush. Following this, she starred as Tasha, in the Australian premiere of Spank! the fifty shades musical parody (Adrian Bohm Presents).
Caitlin recently shared the stage with music theatre greats, such as Geraldine Turner, when performing in the cast of Ruthless! (Theatre Division, 2014), and earlier this year, played Young Gertrude Stein in Vic Theatre’s premiere production of Loving Repeating.
Caitlin is currently appearing in Squabbalogic Independent Music Theatre’s production of Grey Gardens at the Seymour Centre until 12 December 2015. For more information, visit: www.squabbalogic.com.au for details.
Image: Caitlin Berry