We recently connected with Katie Gilchrist and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie , thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Learning has been a life long pursuit; one that I’m still actively engaged with as I continue to train as an Intimacy Professional. Much of what I do/have done/continue to do was learned by watching/listening. Mimicking how a singer attacked a melody, watching how actors delivered a line of dialogue…I learned by borrowing those things that I perceived as working, and tried to apply them to real life work.

Going to grad school deepened my work ethic, and honed those skills. Looking back, I’m grateful for that time in the MFA program I attended, but I’m still processing those three years. I don’t know if I’d speed that up, as so much of our society is product based rather than process based. That rush to a result is steeped in the patriarchal notion that THINGS MUST BE DONE, rather than learning for the sake of enriching who we are as humans.

If gratitude and humility can be considered a skill, then I consider those to be the most essential. Theatre is a collaborative art, one that cannot be accomplished in a bubble. Acknowledging and recognizing our co-conspirators in world building is not only essential to the sustainability of the form, it’s just good practice. The biggest lesson I learned in production: “Don’t be an asshole.” Life happens, things change, emotions run high…feel each and every thing…just find the kindness at the root of you and work from there.

What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
The age old obstacles of impostor syndrome, educators not believing in you, the body dysmorphia, the gatekeeping, the existing structure of thousands of years of story-telling by white cis-het men, the culture within the theatre world, the idea that any legacy of work is only validated if you’re famous in a large market…

All of those brain goblins that we try our damndest to NOT listen to, and yet there they are.

Katie , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

24 years ago I started my first contract as a professional actor. In the years since, I’ve diversified my approach to the art of performing; working in variety, music, burlesque, drag, parody. I started directing and adapting work 13 years ago. I’ve worked with professional houses, universities, small ensembles. I’ve founded small companies, been part of a creative cohort, worked in casting, in commercials, in film.

During the pandemic, we produced 50 live shows that hired artists across the country, we started an outreach to our community with “Social Distance Dance Parties”, dancing with over 200 people in 75 locations across the Kansas City area. I believe that work resides in what I call: “Artistic Philanthropy”: uplifting the talents and goals of the creatives in our work to benefit our communities.

Most recently I’m the owner and director of BossBetty LLC: sublime shows with beauty and bite. We work to create immersive experiences for our audiences and artists, enhancing the experience of the guest. We currently produce the1994project, a year long music and film reading series honoring the artistic output from that year. We have sold out almost every live show this season. (so far!) I’m thrilled to be directing multiple productions in the KCMO metro area, and to collaborate with the incredible artists that call this community their home.

KatieGKC is the personal arm of BossBetty LLC and the1994project. My partner, Mark, and I work together to bring these works into focus, and I couldn’t do this without mentioning him too!

Come as you are to any event we produce. We see you. You belong.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Close your eyes. Imagine your favorite movie. Your favorite tv show. Your favorite live performance. Your favorite song.

Fairly simple, right? What if none of those existed? What if, when called upon to think of our favorite piece of music, we didn’t KNOW what music was?

Society inches closer to that reality with the lack of funding and financial support to our artists.

“But what about (insert famous name here)?” you might ask. For every famous artist, there are the regional and local artists, with boots on the ground in their communities, who struggle to make ends meet while creating their work and enhancing the lives of the people around them. The best thing we can do for artists is provide infrastructure and accessible funding, spaces, support for their work.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

As an artist, producer, and director I am inspired to civic engagement through purpose-driven storytelling, accessible and equitable opportunities for all, consent forward practices, and healthy doses of magic & mayhem.

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Contact Info:

• Website: www.katiegkc.com
• Instagram: @ktgkc
• Facebook: @katiegkc
• Linkedin: katiegilchrist

Image Credits
Image: Katie against distressed metal background in green neckpiece: Photo: Elise Poehling Jewelry: Rissa’s Artistic Design Logos: Damian Blake Black and White Photo: Vixen Pin-Up