On "10 Things I Hate About You," a show that manages to be tru-to-life, more thoughtful and less vulgar than most of what passes for family entertainment these days, Shaw plays Kat Stratford, a sweet-natured high schooler who puts up an acerbic front that contrasts with the bright, outgoing persona of her popularity-obsessed sister, played by Meaghan Martin. (Veteran comic Larry Miller plays their father.)
“I have this saying about Kat, that, I know I have all of her bad qualities, and I strive to have all of her good qualities,” Shaw said. “My intention is always wanting to do something good, and so is hers. It's just her approach that is off sometimes. That's sort of like a parallel to my life: good intention, bad approach.”
Shaw acted in a motion-capture suit and did voice work for a video game called “Enslaved,” which is set for an October release. She's also done two independent movies that will be released in some form this year, playing a “deranged, crazy baby-sitter” in “Nic and Tristan Go Mega Dega,” about skateboarding twins, and appearing in “Devolved,” which she calls “a modern-day ‘Lord of the Flies' satire.”
Both movies are “way, way low budget,” Shaw said. “It was a great experience for me even if they don't ever see daylight, which I say with the utmost respect.”
Shaw said she first heard about the Azalea Festival from one of her co-stars on “10 Things,” the actor Nicholas Braun, who was a celebrity guest of the festival last year. It will be her first trip to North Carolina.
“This is just a big coming out into spring festival, right?” Shaw asked. “See, that is amazing. That needs to be done everywhere. And that's a really beautiful tradition that North Carolina has, and I'm excited to be a part of it.”
John Staton: 343-2343