We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cait Cortelyou. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cait below.
Cait, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?
I’m actually very glad that I spent so many years as an actor before getting into directing. “Twelfth Night” – this spring’s Shakespeare in the Park production with Contemporary Classics Theatre – marks my directorial debut, but I’ve been acting for nearly three decades.
Shifting into the role of director means that I am now helming a group of artists as we usher a creative work into the world. It means managing a lot of different folks’ emotions and ideas, and unifying everyone under a shared vision. Younger Cait would have struggled with anxiety and imposter syndrome, and I know she would have had difficulties with ego and a desire to micromanage. Now, however, I find collaboration to be one of the most exciting parts of the artistic process.
I’m constantly inspired by the terrific actors in my ensemble, and I incorporate their creativity wherever I can. It’s exciting to begin rehearsals with an idea of what the play will look like, and also to be open to discoveries. I don’t think I would have been able to handle this as effectively without all the mindfulness work I did while growing up in NYC, and without so many years of experience as a performer.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’ve been acting since I was a kid – my first time performing was in a full-length youth production of “Hamlet” and I was instantly hooked by the beauty of Shakespeare’s language, the thrill of speaking those words on stage for a live audience, and the magic of discovering and sharing a character’s humanity.
My fascination with the art of acting led me to study with many incredible teachers, including Juilliard professors, members of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and even Academy Award-nominated actor Colman Domingo (he was so cool!). I’ve acted Off-Broadway, on HBO, and in indie films – and recently I was surprised to find that I love teaching acting too.
I taught Trilith Institute’s inaugural Acting on Film course, and am now a regular teaching artist for Alliance Theatre. Starting in July, I’m also taking over Contemporary Classics Theatre as their new Artistic Director of Programs.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I want to help make great theatre accessible and affordable for all! That’s why I’m so excited to direct this spring’s FREE Shakespeare in the Park production of “Twelfth Night” with Contemporary Classics Theatre.
It’s also important to me to use my artistry to tell stories that matter, and to amplify voices and perspectives that too often fly under the radar. With “Twelfth Night” I’m thrilled to showcase the fantastic work of Elliott Posadni, one of the first ever transgender actors to star in the role of Viola (one of Shakespeare’s famous “pants roles”).
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
So often in life, we go through experiences that are hard to articulate – when that happens, how often have you instead been able to point to a scene in a movie, or a passage in a book, and say: “It was like that”?
I think there is great power in being an artist, in reminding humans of their own humanity. I’m grateful to be constantly creating, and for each day to be different than the next. I’m inspired by the hundreds of artists I cross paths with, and by their collective resilience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.CaitCortelyou.com
- Instagram: @caitcortelyou
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitcortelyou/
- Other: https://www.imdb.me/caitcortelyou
Image Credits
Photo 1: Michele Santoro
Photo 2: Kellen Savannah Johnston
Photo 3: Noel Nichols