After TMU — Kathryn Davis

Since graduation, Kathryn Davis has worked in tv, voiceover, video games and film. Kathryn was most recently seen playing superhero Phase Out in Netflix’s epic superhero saga Jupiter’s Legacy. Other career highlights include playing Lady Margaret in Hallmark Channel’s A Christmas Carousel and Melanie in No Escape Room. In the theatre realm, Kathryn was an ensemble member of the Dora Award-winning production of Sarah Ruhl’s Passion Play and has performed at Summerworks Festival. Her latest project Christmas on 5th Avenue premieres in Canada on December 23rd at 8 p.m. on Super Channel.

Why did you choose to study at Ryerson University?

When I decided to pursue post-secondary education in Acting, I started researching programs offered in Canada. I learned about the university’s prestigious Theatre program. It was one of the only acting programs that resulted in a Bachelor of Fine Arts, meaning that most of my program was conservatory studio training instead of lecture-based. An undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts degree would also allow me to pursue postgraduate studies in order to one day teach in a program myself.

How did your degree influence your career choice?

Most people decide on their career during the course of their degree. For me it was the opposite. My choice to pursue a career as an actor influenced my choice of degree. I wanted classical training from renowned and respected Canadian artists, performers and directors.

What are some skills you developed through university that are applicable to your career?

Within the theatre school itself are the three disciplines of dance, performance acting and production. Throughout the program we would have the opportunity to work with the students of the production program. The crew for our productions were fellow students in the production program. This gave me an appreciation and the skillset to be able to work with all of the departments that come together to make the world of performance. In theatre, without the stage managers, lighting crew, costume departments, and sound technicians — performers would not be able to work. That also applies to the tv/film world. It is easy to think that everything revolves around the “talent” seen on screen. However, actors could not do their job without every department working with one another to create the final product. The theatre program gave me an appreciation for the production team's hard work. 

What do you wish you could tell your university self?

Absorb as much knowledge as you possibly can and learn about the “business” side of show business.

How did your experience at Toronto Metropolitan University help you find your first position after graduation?

My first professional work after graduation was with Ubisoft Video Game Company working on an early concept of the game that would become Assassin’s Creed Syndicate in motion capture. I was hired by the Ubisoft producer based on a film that I made during my fourth year in the theatre program. The acting style of motion capture is a hybrid performance between theatre and film.

In your experience, what are some attributes of the most successful individuals in your field?

Perseverance — there is a lot of rejection in this industry. Only those that persist are the ones that will find the work. Humility — to take feedback and critiques to strengthen yourself and your performance. Kindness — to be gracious and understanding with all people. The performing world is small and you will cross paths again. Patience — the industry is famous for the “hurry up and wait” scenarios.

If you could start all over again, would you change your career path in any way? Why?

I would not change a thing! I am pursuing a career in exactly the field I want to pursue.

What is a typical “Day in Your Work Life” like?

There are various types of days as an actor. On some days you are working, and on other days you are auditioning. You generally have very early mornings and long shooting days when working as an actor. 

Work days differ greatly from theatre to film. In theatre, actors are in rehearsals for weeks discovering the world of the play. That’s the time to explore the scope of the character. Sets and props are slowly integrated during rehearsals. Whereas in tv and film, you are working in real-time. You arrive on set, have brief movement blocking, are handed props just before the camera starts rolling. Also, everything is filmed out of order with actors that you may have only met a few hours or days before. 

What creative projects are you working on right now?

The catch with being an actor is that you are constantly applying for work. Auditioning, creating, writing, working.

I have a few ideas brewing of projects that I would love to create. I am auditioning for projects, and I have strong working relationships with a few production houses, so there could be a project around the corner.

What are the best parts of your work; what are the necessary evils?

The best parts of the work are building close relationships with the cast and crew. There is such a family unit that can be built on a set. Also, I love crossing paths with the same people on different projects. 

A necessary evil is the amount of rejection that an actor faces. Performance is a vulnerable state to be in. Every audition is exposing you to judgment and scrutiny. 

On occasion you can personally connect to a script and character. Beyond your audition — you have no power over the hiring process.