We were lucky to catch up with Kat Bylska recently and have shared our conversation below.
Kat, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
The first time I knew I wanted to pursue a creative and artistic path professionally was as much a revelation as it was a call to action. It wasn’t one moment but rather a crescendo of experiences that shaped me into the person I am today. I was just six years old when I first stepped onto a dance floor. At that age, it was pure joy—the rhythm, the movement, the feeling of freedom. By nine, my family had moved from Amarillo to Los Angeles, and that small-town girl suddenly found herself immersed in the heart of the entertainment world. It was exhilarating, but also grounding, as I learned how much the arts could transform lives, mine included.
Fast forward a few years, when my life took an unexpected turn: I adopted a stray black cat I named Boobiez. Boobiez wasn’t just a pet; she was a muse and a source of inspiration that connected me to the voiceless animals that too often go unseen and unheard. I realized then that my love for storytelling, performance, and education could become a powerful tool for advocacy. That realization grew into a purpose—to use the arts to shine a light on the plight of animals and inspire empathy and action in others.
This mission crystalized during my time as a dance educator. Watching students discover their own voices through movement reminded me of the power of expression. What if that same transformative energy could be channeled into raising awareness for animal welfare? That question became the foundation for Katz Kabaret, an initiative to merge dance, technical training, and aerial arts, making them accessible to all ages and backgrounds. It was not just about teaching; it was about creating a space for storytelling—stories that could inspire change.
My artistic journey has always been intertwined with education and advocacy. Whether through Katz Tailz, where storytelling creates a judgment-free platform for expression, or Boobiekatz, which uses humor and imagery to promote animal activism, every project has been a piece of a larger puzzle. These efforts are my way of addressing a deep-rooted belief: animals are not property or things without feelings. They are living beings deserving of compassion and respect, and I’ve committed myself to changing how people and businesses view them.
That first step onto the dance floor as a child was the beginning of a journey that led me to this intersection of creativity, education, and activism. It’s not just a career path—it’s my life’s purpose, and I’m determined to keep moving, one step, leap, and story at a time, toward a world where art educates and activism liberates.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
For those who may not be familiar with my story, let me start by saying that my journey has been anything but conventional. I was born in Poland and immigrated to the United States with my family at the age of two. Growing up as a refugee instilled in me a deep sense of resilience and empathy, which later became the foundation of my work. My creative path began at the age of six when I discovered dance, an art form that gave me a voice before I even understood how to use my words. By the time I was nine, my family had moved to Los Angeles to support my aspirations, and I immersed myself in the entertainment industry.
Over the years, my artistic journey evolved. I trained extensively in dance and performed in productions, but a serious injury led me to step away and explore other facets of life. During this time, I gained invaluable business acumen in the corporate world, but my heart remained tethered to creativity and advocacy. It wasn’t long before I found a way to combine these passions into a singular mission: using the arts and education to create meaningful change, particularly in animal activism.
Today, my work centers around initiatives that bridge storytelling, performance, and advocacy. Katz Kabaret, for example, merges dance, technical training, and aerial arts into a program accessible to all, regardless of age, gender, or financial means. Boobiekatz, inspired by a stray black cat I adopted, uses humor and imagery to raise awareness about animal rights, with all proceeds supporting rescues and organizations fighting for animal welfare. Meanwhile, Katz Tailz offers a judgment-free space for storytelling through language, literature, and art, encouraging others to find their voices and tell the stories that matter to them.
What sets my work apart is its heart: a deep-rooted commitment to making art and advocacy accessible while addressing critical social issues. I don’t just create; I strive to make a difference. Whether it’s teaching a young dancer their first routine, crafting a campaign to challenge perceptions of animal welfare, or sharing a story that sparks action, every project is infused with the belief that creativity has the power to transform lives.
I am most proud of the lives I’ve touched through my work—both human and animal. From students who’ve found confidence through movement to animals whose stories have been amplified through my advocacy, these are the successes that fuel me. I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that my work is more than a business—it’s a mission. A mission to inspire, educate, and empower through the arts while advocating for a world where all beings, human and animal, are treated with compassion and respect.
We recently embarked on a bold adventure – to create a cinematic experience whereby the audience can see the effects of the abuse and neglect but in a fictional story told on the big screen. We are currently seeking partners and collaborators to bring this film to life!
If you’re drawn to stories with depth, passion, and purpose, or if you believe in the power of art to create change, then you’re already part of the Katz vision. Together, we can build a world where creativity and compassion pave the way for a better future.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Absolutely, there is a mission driving my creative journey, and it’s one that feels both deeply personal and universally urgent: to use the power of storytelling and the arts to change how people view and treat animals. My goal is to challenge the outdated notion that animals are property or things without feelings, and instead foster a world where they are seen as sentient beings deserving of compassion, respect, and protection.
This mission stems from a lifelong passion for creativity and a profound empathy for the voiceless. Through initiatives like Katz Kabaret, I aim to inspire and educate through performance, providing a platform where art becomes a tool for advocacy. By merging dance, aerial arts, and storytelling, I want to ignite conversations that might otherwise be overlooked. Similarly, Boobiekatz uses humor and visual storytelling to raise awareness, making critical issues more relatable and engaging for a broader audience.
At the heart of this journey is a desire to solve a fundamental problem: the epidemic of neglect, abuse, and exploitation that so many animals endure. My work doesn’t just aim to entertain or educate—it’s about sparking change. Whether it’s helping people understand the impact of their choices, inspiring them to take action, or simply providing a space where empathy can grow, every project I take on is tied to this overarching goal.
Ultimately, my creative journey is about merging advocacy with artistry. It’s about using the skills I’ve honed over a lifetime to elevate voices that cannot speak for themselves. It’s about creating spaces where education, entertainment, and activism intersect to inspire a new generation of compassionate thinkers and doers. My goal is ambitious, but I believe that through the arts, we can build a kinder, more connected world—one story, one performance, one moment at a time.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
In my view, supporting a thriving creative ecosystem requires society to recognize the arts as a powerful force for social change, not just as entertainment or decoration. Artists, creatives, and advocates—particularly those working in animal rights and environmentalism—are at the forefront of challenging societal norms, pushing boundaries, and giving voice to those who cannot speak for themselves. To foster a creative ecosystem that supports animals as well as the people creating for them, society must make deliberate efforts to nurture creativity in all its forms. Here’s how:
Invest in Arts Education with an Animal Welfare Focus: Creativity begins in childhood, and so should compassion for animals. By prioritizing arts education that includes lessons on empathy for all living beings, we can nurture future generations who not only value the arts but understand their role in protecting animals. This means providing platforms in schools for students to explore topics like environmental activism, animal rights, and the intersection of creativity with conservation.
Provide Financial Support for Animal-Centered Projects: Creatives who work to raise awareness about animal welfare often face financial hurdles, especially when their projects challenge industry norms or are not commercially mainstream. Societal investment through grants, sponsorships, and funding programs targeted at animal advocacy through art allows artists to continue their work without the pressure of financial survival, so they can focus on the causes that matter most.
Create Platforms to Amplify Animal Advocacy: Artists need platforms to reach audiences and spark conversation around animal rights. Society should support venues, public art projects, and digital platforms that amplify the voices of those using their craft to fight for animals. Whether it’s through exhibitions, performances, or online campaigns, these spaces should be inclusive of underrepresented animals and their advocates.
Encourage Collaboration Between Creatives and Animal Activists: True societal change happens when creativity meets advocacy. The arts can help humanize animal struggles, making them more relatable and urgent for people who might not otherwise engage with animal welfare issues. By fostering collaboration between artists, environmentalists, and animal activists, society can create projects that bridge these efforts, whether through powerful visual art, music, dance, or multimedia storytelling.
Champion Fair Compensation and Ethical Practices in Animal Advocacy: Creatives who focus on animal welfare deserve fair compensation and ethical treatment, just like any other artist. Fair pay for their work ensures that they can continue fighting for change. Society should support businesses, industries, and individuals who are committed to ethical, sustainable practices that don’t exploit animals, ensuring that animal rights creatives aren’t undercut or exploited in the process.
Foster Empathy and Connection Through Animal-Centered Art: The arts have the unique power to foster empathy, and when applied to animals, they can inspire profound changes in perspective. Art that portrays animals as sentient beings with emotions and rights has the power to shift public perception. Whether it’s through documentaries, theater, visual arts, or music, creatives can help people feel the urgency of animal protection in ways that are emotionally resonant and deeply impactful.
Integrate Animal Advocacy Into Daily Life: Art that celebrates animals and raises awareness about their struggles should be woven into everyday spaces—public murals, performances in unexpected places, or art installations that challenge us to think about our relationship with animals. When society normalizes animal advocacy in these creative spaces, it reminds us that the fight for animal rights is not just something for activists, but for everyone.
Supporting a creative ecosystem that uplifts both artists and animals is about investing in a more compassionate and innovative future. It’s about recognizing that artists working for animal welfare are creating more than just art—they are creating the tools for transformation, understanding, and ultimately, a kinder world for all living beings. When we support artists who speak for animals, we honor their efforts, and we take an important step toward creating a society where empathy, creativity, and advocacy can thrive together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.katzkabaret.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katzkabaret
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katzkabaret
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katz-entertainment
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/katzkabaret
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/katzkabaret
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/katzkabaret
- Other: www.ebay.com/boobiekatz
https://www.networkisa.org/profile/katz-entertainment
https://www.change.org/petsnotpeople
Image Credits
Reidar Shoppe
Kat Bylska
Tim Rich
EMS