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Kat Lovell
(774) 200-0492 cell
katlovelltech@gmail.com
Professional Summary
• Experienced theatre professional who enjoys being involved in all aspects of a show
• Able to work with a variety of artists and technicians
• Fast on my feet and enjoy an ever changing environment
• Extensive roadhouse experience including electrics, lighting design and basic rigging
• Accomplished lighting designer for both dance and theatre – experienced in working with casts of color
• Unique lighting design experience in non-typical production spaces and outdoor spaces
• Mentored by Western Massachusetts premier lighting designer
• Excellent communication skills and experience with American Sign Language
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, In-Design, Web Design, PowerPoint, Internet, Email – passable in VectorWorks, LightWright, and currently learning AutoCAD
• Experience driving a 14' & 16' box truck and 15-person van
• CPR/First Aid Certified
• Life Member Aberdeen ( Scotland ) Magical Society
• Member of UMass-Amherst Arts Council for 2 years
Employment
2003 - present University of Massachusetts Amherst Fine Arts Center .
Senior Stagehand, Stage Manager, Lighting Designer, Production Coordinator, Master Electrician
• Duties include general stagehand work – stage setup, light hang and focus, costuming, light (ETC – Express, Expression, Ion, Element, EOS) and sound board operations, followspot operation, show deck crew and wardrobe (preparation, stitching, draping, quick-changes) – as well as Roadhouse Stage Management of over 150 shows.
• Supervision and training of student stagehand crews for setup/strike and running of shows in all aspects of production duties listed above.
• Responsible for setup and running of shows in external venues in various locations around the UMass-Amherst campus.
2010 Marlboro College , Marlboro VT
Freelance Technical/Production Manager
• Work with dance students to teach basic backstage skills – stagehand work, light board operation, light unit focus, set load in/load out.
• Function as back-up person when primary Production person is not available – load in/out, focus, maintenance of dance rehearsal space.
Freelance Lighting Design/Stage Management/Technical Direction
2011-Present Art2Action – Eleven Reflections on September . Production Manager, Technical Director/Coordinator, Lighting Designer. Touring production that often performs in non-traditional venues. Incorporates multimedia and special effects elements.
2011 Jersey Shore Entertainment – Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story . Production Stage Manager. Semi-resident tour in a casino showroom.
2010-2011 Emerging Choreographers Series – Dance lighting design for 5-College student choreographers, included 2 Senior Thesis.
2010 Dance Generators – Lighting Design/Technical Coordination Management for multi-generational troupe in a space not designed for dance. Also adapted design for re-staging at Marlboro College , Marlboro, VT. Ad-hoc Stage Management – supervision of technical crew and calling of sound cues.
2008 – 2011 Dance Recitals – Multiple Dance School Lighting Design contracts through Theatrix.
2010 Springfield College – Dance Matters Faculty Dance Concert. Lighting Designer, Technical Coordinator, and Production Stage Manager. Included working with a manual-style dimmer system.
2010 Circus Smirkus
Front of House Manager and Field Press Coordinator
• Coordinated all Front of House activities and issues, liaison with local press on 6 week tour with award-winning international Youth Circus.
• Supervised occasional backstage tours/interviews for press, worked with Troupers to maintain House after each show.
• Supervised load-in/load-out of everything related to House operations.
• Drove 16' box truck.
• Downstairs Cabaret Theater Company, Rochester NY
Freelance Tour Production/Stage Manager, “Cooking With the Calamari Sisters”
• Coordinate all backstage production support for show
• Supervise load-in/out of all props and production elements for tour
• Created system for packing of show for future tours
2010 Somali Women's Project 1 st Annual Celebration – Technical Coordination for annual event. Coordinated equipment rentals, space organization, and all “random” elements.
2010 It Happened The Other Day: A True Story – Lighting Designer, Stage Manager, Technical Coordinator, Light Board Operator for original production that included “magical arts”. Educated new stagehands in how to program/run a lightboard and backstage duties, in addition to lighting designing and calling the show. Coordinated all aspects of load-in and set up of show.
2009 Northampton 24 Hour Theater Project – coordinated five stage managers and all technical elements of a one-day script-to-stage festival.
2009 NewWorld Theater (NWT) – Lighting design and technical coordination for Project 2050 and NewWorld Theater summer playlab workshops at Amherst College .
2009 Body Politics – Lighting Designer and Technical Coordinator for yearlong student workshop project around body issues. Coordination between EveryWoman's Center and UMass Fine Arts Center, working with non-actors. Included education in stage etiquette for performers.
2005 – 2008 UMass Marimba Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble – “On-the-fly” lighting design for one-off live UMass Music Department performances.
2008 I Land – Lighting Adaptation of touring show plot for UMass-Amherst performance space. Light board operation during show.
• Shekadii Walaalo – Worked with refugee community group, educating non-actors about theater etiquette. Coordinated all technical aspects of show and facilitated communication between NWT and UMass Fine Arts Center .
• Gilgamesh – Worked with a NYC artist to coordinate communication between artist, UMass Asian Arts & Culture Program, and UMass Fine Arts Center. Worked closely with Lighting Designer to assemble performance. Calling of performance included special effect elements and live musicians.
• Glass Menagerie – Community Theater performance in a converted town hall, with limited resources.
• Julius Caesar – Hampshire Shakespeare Company. Stage Manager in a challenging outdoor venue with Community Company. Coordinated all aspects of the show, including moving performance indoors during inclement weather.
Education
2007 University of Massachusetts Amherst
Bachelor of Arts in Theater; Magna Cum Laude
• Course emphasis on Stage Management and Lighting Design
• House Management, and Stage Manager for three student productions
• Assisted other students in class to understand technical theater coursework
• Internships with the Town of Westfield and the Miniature Theater of Chester – included set design & construction, adapting town hall space to become a theater, and Front of House Management
Special Skills/Recognition
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am very excited to learn about your opportunity. I have a BA in Theater from UMass-Amherst, with a concentration in Stage Management and Lighting Design. I have worked for over 8 years at the UMass-Amherst Fine Arts Center, and am unofficially considered the "non-staff staff person." In other words, I train and supervise the crews for load ins, running the shows, load outs, and in all aspects of backstage work. I am the "designated adult" when there is an issue, and am the intermediary between front of house and backstage.
The crews I have supervised are mainly students, with various levels of experience. Part of my job has been to train new stagehands in all areas of stagecraft - lighting, basic rigging, light board operation (ETC), sound setup, video setup and operation, flyrail, followspot, wardrobe (preparation, draping, quick-changes), and general backstage work. As a roadhouse, the Fine Arts Center is constantly changing with all kinds of shows - Broadway tours, dance concerts (such as Alvin Ailey), small intimate performances in various places around campus (for example, "Club Jazz" or the Pops Concert in the Campus Center), and even some outdoor venues. I also train students as Stage Managers.
I have coordinated two tours for the University Dancers, taking care of all their technical needs, and overseeing the load-in/out of all venues. Additionally, I spent 7 weeks with Circus Smirkus as their House Manager and Field Press Liaison for their annual Northeast summer tour, and was the Backstage Production Manager for a short tour of “Cooking with the Calamari Sisters” for Downstairs Cabaret Theater in Rochester , NY . I was the Production Stage Manager for a semi-resident production of “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” in Reno , NV.M ost recently, I have been the “all things technical” person for a touring production of “Eleven Reflections on September.”
I spent one summer as an intern for the Little Theater of Chester, a Union house in the Berkshires. In this capacity, I functioned not only as a stagehand for the load-in of the season, but also as an administrative assistant in the office, coordinated ticket sales, ran the box office on show nights, and handled any questions/issues regarding ticket sales. I was also the Props Master for one of their shows. I have worked as the House Manager for the University of Massachusetts Amherst Theater Department on many occasions, often filling in last-minute.
For the few things that I may not know or have extensive experience with, I am very teachable – I am excited to learn new skills, I pay attention, and learn fast. I also have an extensive background in Administration, with many skills in that area – including typing over 80 words per minute, and knowledge not only of the Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, etc.), but also Photoshop, InDesign, VectorWorks, LightWright and Dreamweaver. I have done some sound and video editing as well. Almost all of my extensive computer knowledge is self-taught, and a testament to my ability to pick things up quickly and easily. I have also owned my own business, which has provided me with the opportunity to become highly self-starting and skilled at interacting with the public, as well as creative in marketing and creating my own promotional materials. If you are interested, I am happy to forward to you my non-theater resume.
I have, on occasion, been referred to as a "kick-butt" Stage Manager as well as the “Safety Guru”, and my services are often requested as a Stage Manager, Technical Director/Coordinator, and House Manager, because I am told “When I know Kat is there, I don't have to worry ~ everything will be taken care of and done right.” and “When Kat is there, I know everyone will stay calm.” I hope to have the opportunity to show you my skills.
Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Kat Lovell
(774) 200-0492 cell