Get to Know the Actor behind Hotspur

After appearing as the noble Banquo in our recent production of Macbeth, Walter Kmiec returns to the Orlando Shakes stage as the passionate Hotspur in Henry IV, Part I. In this interview, Walter breaks down what inspires him as an actor and what drives his portrayal of Shakespeare’s most hot-headed character.

Orlando Shakes: When/where/how did you first encounter Shakespeare?

Walter Kmiec: I first encountered Shakespeare in my high school freshman comp lit class. We read Romeo and Juliet and watched the Zeffirelli movie from the 60’s as supplementary material. I was pretty starry-eyed for that on-screen Juliet.

Orlando Shakes: Tell us about your role as Hotspur and how you view the rivalry between him and Hal?

Walter: Playing Hotspur totally exhausts me because most of the time he operates at about a 10, nevertheless I enjoy playing him very much. Expelling rage every night is very cathartic. Our director has described Hal and Hotspur as two supernovas hurtling through space towards each other and I find that description apt. The contrast between them is one you find in pop culture a lot, I think. I see Hal as Black Panther and Hotspur as Killmonger. Hal as Aaron Burr and Hotspur as Hamilton. The difference between a cerebral, poised, and cunning individual and one who is emotional, explosive, and straightforward. However, each would likely benefit from being a little more like the other.

Prince Hal:
“I am the Prince of Wales; and think not, Percy,
To share with me in glory any more:
Two stars keep not their motion in one sphere;” 

– William Shakespeare, King Henry IV, Part 1

Orlando Shakes: What do you envision in your interpretation of this role?

Walter: I think about a lot of wild animals, particularly gorillas and cheetahs. I think they inform my interpretation of his physicality.

Photo by Tony Firriolo features Walter Kmiec and Benjamin Bonenfant in Henry IV, Part 1.

Orlando Shakes: Any additional thoughts about your role?

Walter: I hope that if the audience doesn’t agree with me, they at least see my character’s point of view.

Orlando Shakes: What was your first Shakespeare production?

Walter: Hamlet.

Orlando Shakes: Which character did you portray, and what was the experience like learning how to perform Shakespeare for the first time?

Walter: I played Hamlet, but I had done a little bit with Shakespeare’s text before that, too. I think early on I totally did a quintessential “Shakespeare” voice and really overplayed everything. It was a good friend of mine that encouraged me to speak the text as if I were talking to a friend and when I tried that, it opened up a lot for me with Shakespeare. I don’t think Shakespeare is particularly casual, but I think there is something to the idea of finding your own voice within the text that can make the text feel fresh for yourself (and hopefully the audience).

Orlando Shakes: Do you have a favorite Shakespeare play?

Walter: Henry IV, Part 1 is quickly becoming one of my favorites, but I don’t have a number one. I love the way that it’s structured, how Shakespeare slowly builds all this tension leading up to Hal and Hotspur’s meeting, with a powerful payoff. I love that the play meditates on honor and leadership and tries to examine what makes someone fit to run a country. I love, too, how there’s no real villain in the play: if you examine everyone’s point of view, they’re all kind of right. And the idea everyone can be kind of right in what they believe but still clash with one another really resonates with me. There’s no easy answer and I don’t think the play tries to prescribe one, either, which makes it all the more powerful.

Orlando Shakes: What’s been your favorite Shakespearean role to perform so far?

Walter: Playing Hamlet impacted me personally and professionally more than any other role, Shakespeare or otherwise, so it has to be that one by default. I loved, loved, loved playing Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing as well.

Orlando Shakes: What’s your advice to someone performing Shakespeare for the first time?

Walter: Two pieces of advice: 1) Let the words guide you and not the other way around, and 2) do your homework.