Life > December 6, 2003

Art Student of the Year

When it comes to living in Scales Fine Arts Center, senior Kate Roberts sure knows how it goes.

That’s because this actress/singer/dancer spends enough time practicing her art there that she could practically claim full-time residency.

A Presidential scholar for theatre, Roberts has appeared in nearly a dozen performances in her four-year tenure at Wake Forest, ranging in everything from Shakespeare to Greek comedy to musical theater.

This fall she directed Betrayed by Everyone, a one-act play for the Studio Series.

She also played the lead in a student film at the North Carolina School of the Arts and starred as the Sorceress in Wake Forest’s first opera, Dido and Aeneas.

“I think that Wake has provided me with a lot of different performance opportunities in various genres and styles, and with a wide range of roles, all of which have broadened my theatrical scope,” Roberts said.

She has also studied at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.

In addition to being an accomplished stage and screen actress, Roberts has also excelled in music as a versatile soprano and has studied jazz, tap, ballet and modern dance for the past 13 years.

And if that’s not enough amazing talent for you, her resume also boasts her skills as an expert waterskiier and juggler, and she finds time to peace out on the yoga mat.

As for the future, Roberts plans to move to New York City after graduation and hopefully pursue a masters degree in fine arts in acting.

“I’m keeping my fingers crossed,” Roberts said. “I am pretty realistic about it, though - they’re tough programs to get into — and if I don’t get in this year, I will try to get some of professional or regional acting work under my belt.

“If I feel like I still want to go to grad school in a year, I’ll probably apply again.”

—Tom Clark