#scotsquad

Today’s #quickfiretheatre interview is with Karen Bartke, aka Officer Karen from BBC comedy Scot Squad.

How would you describe what you do? Professional categorisation? Actor, voiceover, improviser, singer (a bit), occasional cake maker, box office manager and general administrator. What do I do? Pretend for a living and count my lucky stars that I am allowed to do so.

What theatre inspires you the most? I grew up with television rather than theatre, so I am naturally drawn towards naturalism. Anything where I get sucked in to the story and characters enough that I have an instinctive, emotional response to it just blows my mind. I love forgetting that I’m in a theatre and forgetting that it’s all rehearsed and organised. Being on the edge of my seat or struggling to control an audible sob is quite a common occurrence for me.

What is your dream role/project? I think I would probably explode if I got offered a job on Dr Who. I’ve been a fan since I was very, VERY young. Also, anything Robin of Sherwood related would be spectacular. I’d love to play Beatrice professionally too. Work at the RSC, work in the West End, work at the Citz, work with NTS …. this will turn into a pretty never ending list if I really think about it.

What’s your favourite play? I’ve always been a sucker for Much Ado About Nothing.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? I went to a casting workshop with Danny Jackson and he helped us to understand that the Casting Director really isn’t your enemy. They are on your side and they truly want you to come in and be perfect for the job. Not just because they are nice people, but because it reflects well on them. Not advice as such, but I remind myself of that every time I meet a CD and it has genuinely helped me with my nerves. (Not cured them, but certainly reduced them slightly).

What advice would you give to someone starting out? Think very hard about whether you really, really want to act, rather than wanting to be well known or financially successful. I’m not saying people shouldn’t join the industry for those reasons, but it’s a tough gig and only a tiny minority of people will ever reach any significant level of fame or wealth. To be brutally honest, if you don’t NEED to do it at some core level, I’d probably suggest you do something else instead. I’d also really strongly recommend that you have some ideas of what jobs you can do to earn some money in between acting work. Financially it’s crucial, but it also makes a huge difference to your mental health I think. Having nothing to do and waiting for acting jobs to turn up can be soul crushing. You end up feeling you’re waiting for someone — anyone — to give you permission to be useful. Having a sideline job, whatever it may be, gives you back a tiny bit of control over your own destiny. Be friendly with your fellow actors. Be glad for their successes. You’re not in competition with them, so try not to feel bitter if one of your mates lands a monster gig and try to offer support and help whenever and wherever you can. It stops this being a lonely job, plus it’s just nice to be nice!

please have another rebellion at us because we suck???? like in history rn were learnin abt how badly charles fucked the scots over n its great how. one woman threw a chair at a bishop and started the 2 english civil wars. scots go hard as hell i throw big chairs SCOTSQUAD

A guy I know, Darren, is on it, and it’s all about Scotland.