Meet Vancouver–based actor and musician Jocelyn Gauthier who stars as Elle Woods this summer in the Theatre Under the Stars production of Legally Blonde: The Musical.
Returning by popular demand, Legally Blonde: The Musical tells the story of how pretty-in-pink princess Elle Woods, after being dumped dumped by her boyfriend Warner, follows him to Harvard Law School to win back his heart. Full of irresistible song and breathtaking dance, this non-stop sugar rush of a musical teaches audiences that it’s so much better to be smart than pretty.
Legally Blonde: The Musical plays in repertory with Shrek: The Musical at Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park July 11 – August 23. Visit https://tuts.ca for tickets and information.
Meet Jocelyn Gauthier
Hailing from Fort Wayne, Indiana, she has been performing since the age of seven, appearing in numerous dramatic and musical productions. Her more recent theatre credits include Elle Woods Understudy/Chutney in Legally Blonde (TUTS), Anais Pnin in The Idiots Karamazov (UBC), Beatrice in Unity 1918 (UBC), Anastasie in Old Goriot (Western Gold/UBC), and Eponine in Les Miserables, to name a few. She is a recipient of the Aida Broadbent award for Conduct and Performance. Jocelyn graduated from the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting Program at U.B.C., and then continued her studies at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in the One Year Classical Acting Program. In addition to acting on stage and in film, Jocelyn has been playing classical piano and flute from a very young age and is a classically trained lyric coloratura soprano. When she’s not performing, Jocelyn teaches performing arts to children, and enjoys running, yoga, and spending time with her family.
20 Questions with Jocelyn Gauthier
1. Your first job.
Babysitting and tutoring. I very much enjoyed taking care of kids and helping them learn, which is probably part of the reason that I currently teach performing arts. However, my first grown-up job was as a server and a bartender at Earls.
2. The job you always wanted as a child.
For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a singer and an actress in some form or another. I’m fairly certain that my mom has a very incriminating video of me at 18-months old, singing “One Moment In Time” at the top of my lungs in front of the television during the 1988 Olympics. Let’s hope the paparazzi pay big bucks for this someday. At one point I also wanted to be a marine biologist, or a doctor like my dad.
3. Your pet peeve.
I’m pretty easy going, but I guess I would have to say narrow-mindedness.
4. Your hero.
My parents, my sister, my husband, and all of the teachers and professors who helped me become the artist that I am today.
5. Your biggest indulgence.
Clothes, and really good red wine. I unfortunately have a knack for picking the expensive bottles, but they are definitely worth it.
6. One thing no one knows about you (and you’re willing to share).
Nothing actually – I’m already an open book.
7. Three things you would want with you on a deserted island.
My family, my piano, and an endless supply of good food and wine.
8. The one word your best friend would use to describe you.
So I cheated and asked my two best friends. They said empathetic, intuitive, kind, and expressive.
9. If you were not an actor what would you be doing right now?
A pediatrician or a broadcast journalist.
10. Hero or villain.
That depends. Â In real life – hero all the way. Â But on stage – villain. Â It’s fun to play someone you’re not.Â
11. Your life’s motto/mantra.
Dream big, love until it hurts, laugh until you pee your pants, and always be a little bit ridiculous.
12. Your favourite playwright or author.
That’s a tough one. Stephen Sondheim, John Patrick Shanley, David Mamet, and David Auburn – to name a few.
13. The last book you read.
True and False by David Mamet, for about the 10th time, and The Name of the Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss.
14. If you were a breakfast cereal what breakfast cereal would you be?
Lucky Charms, or Diamond Shreddies.
15. What will it say on your grave marker?
“If music be the food of love, play on.” – William Shakespeare
16. Who would you most like to have dinner with?
Meryl Streep.
17. Your idea of happiness.
Having the ability to balance a family and a successful career as a performer, and being able to travel the world with the people I care about.
18. If you could go back in time, what would you tell your twenty year old self?
The winning lottery numbers.
19. The one thing in your life that makes you most proud.
My husband. He is my best friend, and gives me the strength, love, and courage to live my dreams.
20. To be or not to be?
Definitely to be.