Meet the Cast of Two Noble Kinsmen: Katie Hotchkiss as Hippolyta
Please introduce yourself! Who are you playing in Two Noble Kinsmen?
My name is Katie Hotchkiss, and I'm playing Hippolyta.
Please give us a brief summary of the play from your character's point of view.
Hippolyta begins the play on her way to marry Theseus, understanding that it's the only choice for her and her people after their martial defeat. By the end, she is left to console her sister as they witness unnecessary loss of life because of the hubris of the men around them.
What is it like repping roles in two shows at the same time? How do the plays and/or parts speak to each other?
I've never performed in rep before, so this has been an interesting experience! Leonora (Falsehood) and Hippolyta (Kinsmen) are both strong, self-confident, and intelligent. Both suffer a kind of imprisonment, and try to use their words and intelligence to negotiate their places in their restricted situations. They each are under the thumb of the men around them -- Hippolyta bristles at this somewhat more obviously, while Leonora struggles with the duty she feels to her place in society.
Kinsmen is late-play of Shakespeare's, deeply concerned with loyalty and myth. How does it speak to you personally? How does it speak to the world today?
I think the relationship between Hippolyta and her sister Emilia is lovely. Hippolyta is realistic where Emilia clings to her personal preferences and ideals, but their mutual respect and affection is evident. In terms of today's world -- it's a story about women doing the best the can despite the whims of men -- I wish that wasn't relevant anymore, but here we are.
What's your favorite quote or two from the play?
I love my most terrible, terrible line:
Women That have sod their infants in, and after ate them The brine they wept at killing 'em.
What does that say about me?! Actually, I enjoy the horrific imagery so much because it is so completely opposite to some of my fluffy, romantic imagery in Double Falsehood:
When lovers swear true faith, the listening angels Stand on the golden battlements of heav'n And waft their vows to the eternal throne.
The contrast is delightful! Finally, where can we learn more about you and what you're up to?
@katiehotch
Kinsmen opens this Saturday, running in rep with Falsehood through 8/11. Kinsmen tickets HERE; Falsehood tickets HERE.