Catherine DuBord with co-star Clay Wheeler in ‘Children’ production. (Courtesy of WingSpan Theatre Company)

“Knowing that you have been able to help them escape from reality for a couple hours is a wonderful gift,” Catherine DuBord, SMU graduate and actress, said.

SMU alumna Catherine DuBord is taking her acting to the next level. Graduating summa cum laude in 2006, DuBord left with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Theater with an emphasis in acting from the Meadows School of the Arts.

SMU pushed DuBord to achieve her highest potential.

“SMU had an amazing undergrad theater program when I went through. The faculty was top rate and they pushed you on a daily basis to challenge yourself. They really opened our eyes to what the business was really like. They didn’t sugar coat things,” DuBord said.

DuBord has a grocery list of plays and recognitions under her belt. Her regional credits include My Favorite Animal with Modern Stage in New York City. Her favorite Dallas credits include Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, Steel Magnolias, All My Sons and many more.

She fell into acting by accident after being a total jock in middle school a friend suggested that DuBord come to her audition for a school play.

“I tagged along for support. When I was just sitting in the hall the theater director thought I was just nervous about auditioning. I tried to explain that I was the moral support but it didn’t seem to work,” DuBord said. “I finally just auditioned to get her off my back. And I got cast. I played the guardian of the gates in the Wizard of Oz in an emerald green sequined mini skirt. I was hooked.”

After falling in love with acting and graduating, Dubord didn’t have much difficulty finding connections in the theater community.

“The theater community is one big family. For a little bit you are the new kid on the block. But for the most part everyone is out going and wants to pass on any help that they can. In general everyone wants you to succeed because it only makes our community stronger,” DuBord said.

For DuBord the stage is where she feels most at home. Through DuBord’s agent she is kept very busy and has experience from multiple sides of the industry.

“Being on stage is my true love. I love that each performance is different, that mistakes get made and you just have to roll with it. It’s nothing like film when you just cut and try it again,” DuBord said. “Seeing and hearing how you are affecting the audience with tears or laughter is a great feeling.”

Catherine DuBord is currently portraying a character named Jane in Children by A.R. Gurney.