Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with All That’s Kate Godfrey

Kate Godfrey can do it all. She’s an actress, dancer, and singer, and she’s one of Hollywood’s most exciting up-and-coming triple threats. Each week, she joins the rest of the cast of All That to perform various comedic sketches live. Pop Culturalist caught up with Kate to learn more about her breakout role in All That and what it’s like learning new skits each week.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Kate: My whole life I did sports. I did softball and soccer because my older brother did it. That’s all I knew. I live in Arizona, and it’s super hot. I didn’t like it. So my mom saw that the local community theater was doing Beauty and the Beast, and she signed me up for it. I played the dancing fork. Ever since then, I just loved theater, acting, and the arts.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Kate: My parents have definitely inspired me a lot to keep going and to follow my dreams. I’ve also been influenced by watching different movies and the comedians that I see on Saturday Night Live.

All That

PC: You’re currently starring on All That. What was the audition process like?
Kate: When I auditioned for All That, I actually didn’t even know what it was for. It was called Untitled Sketch Show. They told us to watch All That clips for reference, so I figured it would be somewhat similar. Then they told us that the executive producers were Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell, and I was like, “This is the All That reboot!”

PC: You and the cast put on new skits each week. What is that preparation like?
Kate: It’s a whirlwind. On Mondays, we do our table read. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, we rehearse. Thursdays, we prefilm. And then Friday, we do our live shows. It happens so fast that I can’t even really comprehend it!

PC: Were you familiar with the series, and what is it like working alongside the original cast?
Kate: It’s really cool. That’s my favorite part because I studied a lot to prepare. Being able to be in sketches with them is really, really fun because you’re acting with people you watch on TV!

PC: This is your first big television role. Has anything surprised you about the experience?
Kate: A lot of things have surprised me: just how television works and all the behind-the-scenes stuff and seeing the editing process. It’s really interesting.

PC: How did you and the cast build your bond?
Kate: We have the strongest bond ever. We get in trouble so much on set because we’re literally best friends. It’s like being with your best school friends but being in a professional environment. So it’s really, really fun, and just to be in sketches with them is really fun.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Kate: Friends

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Kate: Despicable Me

PC: Favorite book?
Kate: The Land of Stories [series]

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Kate: Dear Evan Hansen

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Kate: The Jonas Brothers

PC: Hidden talent?
Kate: I can make a three-leaf clover with my tongue.

To keep up with Kate, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Catch new episodes of All That every Saturday at 8:30/7:30c on Nickelodeon.

Photo Credit: Ryan West