Call or email Kat for more information.
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Lighting Design
Kat has always had a fascination with Lighting Design, and began her technical career as a Light Board Operator in 1989. It quickly became apparent that Kat has a gift for the "feel" of design, and since 1990 has been specifically requested by Lighting Designer to be "on board" during the writing of cues, because she intutitively knows what they are looking for. Her exceptional eye is often appreciated, as is her collaborative nature, and she became noted for excellent suggestions for creating lighting effects.
Kat is also known as one of the light best board operators in the business, due to her ability to "design on the fly" - and create memorable moments with no preparation.
Kat studied and received her BA in Theater with a concentration in Lighting Design and Stage Management at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst in 2007 (graduating Magna Cum Laude). Since 2005, Kat has been in demand as a Lighting Designer - beginning with the jazz music department, when Eduardo Leandro discovered that having Kat on the light board meant the exceptional addition of lighting effects for his concerts. Professor Leandro began to incorporate more and more lighting design into his performances, and other departments began to take notice and ask for this kind of support. Before she knew it, Kat was the singularly most requested Stagehand at the Fine Arts Center by the music department, because of her professionalism and the gifts she brings to the concerts she works.
Kat is also a protégé of Brenda Cortina, the premiere Dance Lighting Designer of Western Massachusetts (www.brendaleecortina.com). Kat has mentored with Brenda since 2003, and credits Brenda with "...teaching me everything I know."
As a formal "professional" designer, Kat has become a favorite of established groups such as NewWorld Theater and the 5-College Dance Program, as well as new organizations as Jelupa Productions and Jonas Cain.
Kat also has experience working with the industry standard technical programs, Lightwright and Vectorworks.
Call or email Kat for more information. Please see the Porfolio page for some examples of Kat's designs.
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Technical Direction
Kat is often called into service as a Technical Director/Technical Coordinator because of her diverse experience and background as a Stagehand. She is experienced in Rigging, Electrics, Sound setup, basic Sound Mixing, incorporating video, projection, and technology into both performances and presentations, in addition to being experienced in all aspects of backstage production management. Kat also excels in training new Stagehands in all aspects of Technical theater.
Kat also has experience utilizing shop equipment, constructing and painting sets, prop management, and supervising both load-ins and load-outs of both small and large scale shows.
AutoCAD is part of Kat's technical repertoire as well.
Call or email Kat for more information.
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Wardrobe Support
Kat is known as the "Wardrobe Queen" at the UMass Fine Arts Center. When not pressed into service as a Stage Manager, Kat is usually found as the resident coordinator for Wardrobe when the big "bus and truck" shows come to town. Kat has repaired tears, replaced zippers, expanded pockets, installed snaps, assisted with quick changes, and steamed hundreds of costumes since 2003. Kat's resume of wardrobe calls include shows such as:
The Flying Karamazov Brothers
Alvin Ailey Dance Company
Mark Morris Dance Company
Ballet Folklorico de Mexico
... and many others
Kat also owns her own sewing machine, and is happy to bring it to use when working Wardrobe calls.
Call or email Kat for more information.
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General Stagehand
Kat is both experienced and accomplished in all areas of general backstage Stagehand work, and excels in training those who are new to backstage work.
Kat's experience includes (both performing the function and training others):
Stage Management
Light Board Operation
Sound Setup
Basic Sound Operation
Stage Setup
Stage Changeovers
Rigging
Electrics
Followspot Operation
Wardrobe Support - preparation, laundry, costume change support
Call or email Kat for more information.
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Miscellaneous
Kat is also known as the "Randomness Coordinator," and is usually the person called upon when someone has an event that needs to take place in a venue that is non-traditional. Kat has Stage Managed the UMass Pops Concert in the Campus Center Ballroom, Technical Coordinated the "Club Jazz" concerts in the Top of the Campus Center, and been the Technical Coordinator and Lighting Designer for the "Children's Miracle Network" Telethon at Baystate Hospital in Springfield, MA.
Kat enjoys referring to herself as the "Designated Adult."
Call or email Kat for more information.
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