We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kathryn Keats a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kathryn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I would like to talk about a few projects. I am grateful to be invited by CanvasRebel to do so. Dr. Senadhi Parakrama and I have been developing a play that my eldest son, Andrew JJ Conti, originally wrote as a film. Tragically, Andrew died in the summer of 2023. The Sonoma Foundation for Behavioral Health (SFBH), the Andrew Conti Workshop (ACW a creative workshop for people in recovery under the umbrella of SFBH) and the Marsh theatre in Berkeley, Ca. produced the 10 week, 9 person workshop. The entire cast was in recovery and performances went up to sold out audiences in the Bay area in spring of 24. Andrew was unable to complete Roofing and we wanted to honor his legacy by presenting an adapted version of his play. It explores the universal human experiences magnified by addiction and mental health challenges and the search for self forgiveness, acceptance and a way to embrace the flawed and hopeful life that’s possible to live on the road to recovery. Andrew’s fellowship, friends and family allowed him to be sober at the end of his life and with clarity and a sober mind he began to write Roofing. Roofing is a Serco-Comedic play. This makes sense because Andrew was seriously funny as hell.

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 have been a performance artist telling stories through words and music most of my life. That sounds good. Let’s be real and say, I have been acting, singing and making music for one hell of a long time. It is in the blood. My grandmother, my parents, husband, sister, all of my children… music, writing, art, it’s what we do. I was really little when I began. That I was fortunate, unburdened and unrestrained is not lost on me. No matter what was happening in our family, art was refuge.
I will make this short. I graduated from high school very early and attended Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, Before I left my big brother, John, was killed. After one semester I was sent home because I would not eat. I convinced a therapist to recommend that I go directly to NYC to pursue my Broadway dreams, My mother, great aunt and high school boyfriend drove me from Evansville, Indiana to Manhattan. We stayed in Hells Kitchen. After three days they drove away. It was the late 70’s. Everything you hear about NYC in the 70’s is true. I studied, did shows, learned to write songs and shows. I fell in love with brilliant artists. I got lost in art and I got lost in love.
At 24 I stopped making art and began living in anonymity after a tragic experience culminated in a three-and a half week jury trial. At the urging of law enforcement and with the help of Victim Witness Assistance I put my performance career on hold and assumed a new identity. I attempted to re-enter show business but was recognized by an audience member. I stopped working publicly until I found out my former partner had passed. The experience was devastating for both my former partner and me. To say it was traumatizing and life changing for my family, and I am sure his, is an understatement.
I wrote The Hummingbird, a solo beat musical, about my experience. I play 15 characters. It took 10 years to complete. My creative team (Kevin Gerzevitz, David Ford, Tina D’Elia, Bradley Markwick and Stephanie Weisman) were an intricate part in helping me maintain my emotional well being during its creation. I am amazed when I meet artists who accomplish work alone. My appreciation for working with other artists started in NYC and it has never changed. Development for the Hummingbird began at Berkeley Repertory Theatre the Ground Floor with songwriter/composer Gunnar Madsen and Michael LeValley. I was thinking it would be a multi person musical. Then I heard David Ford speaking on NPR about solo work and decided to work with him. He is brilliant, to say the least. The Marsh theatre awarded the show a residency and produced the premiere. The Hummingbird has won some awards which is very nice. (Best Solo Musical / Marshstream International Festival/ Best Solo Show 48 Hills/ Nomination Broadway Award Best Solo Performance) I am bringing The Hummingbird to new venues. I live in NYC now… Brooklyn. I am so happy to be here. The Hummingbird might loves the parks!
Over the last few years I was fortunate to co-develop 180 Days. To Die. To Live., a new play by Marsh theatre founder/artistic director and playwright Stephanie Weisman about the End Of Life Option. I would be remiss if I did not say that Ms. Weisman is one of the most significant artists and producers in American theatre. Seriously inspiring. Man, I love working with artists. I really do.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I have worked at being resilient more than once. But there has not been an experience that requires more resilience than losing Andrew. I create to speak to the heart break and to spread the word that we survive. This has required every tool and all of my practice. I create to live, to thrive, to shine. I create to maintain resilience and to stay whole because my children who are on the planet, my husband, sister and my friends matter to me and deserve a thriving, giving and loving human to be present for them. Andrew deserves this. I deserve this. My higher power deserves this. That is my resilience story. Most days I got it. Most days.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Leaving people better than I found them. If I can this then I am useful and I will keep creating art. I got really lucky to be able to create. Blessed, man. Blessed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kathrynkeats.com
• Instagram: the_hummimgbird_musical
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/kathrynkeats
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/ZMra4gFZTcJ4P3sL7

Image Credits

1 Kathryn Keats Photo Dianne Woods
2 Kathryn Keats Photo Dianne Woods
3 Andrew JJ Conti Photo Kathryn Keats
4 Dr. Senadhi Parakrama Photo Kathryn Keats
5 Kathryn Keats Photo Cynthia Smalley
7 Andrew JJ Conti and Kathryn Keats Photo Andrew JJ Conti