“A Day in the Life” with Multi-disciplinary artist Kathryn Smith

February 22, 2023 Demian Vernieri Arts, Performing Arts

Kathryn “I’ve Foolishly Entrusted My Bio to My Friend” Smith has been everyone in the theatre community’s favourite person going on 10 years now.

They are what The Globe and Mail might call the prairie version of a “Renaissance Man”—that is, if the Globe and Mail is ever fortunate enough to profile Kathryn Smith.

Kathryn, also known as KP, is an award-winning director, designer, singer/songwriter, educator, artistic administrator, and theatre creator. In 2022, Kathryn took over the helm at Verb Theatre, thus adding “Artistic Leadership” to the above list of accomplishments.

Kathryn is also an incredibly thoughtful dog owner and is currently raising a rescue German Shepard named Scout—a dog I can honestly say I think is pretty cool and nice (and I literally hate dogs, don’t tell anyone).

Recent credits include real boi (Calgary Young People’s Theatre), Murder in the Studio, The American/The Hitchhiker (Vertigo Theatre), inVISIBLE, A Chitenge Story (Handsome Alice Theatre) as well as symbolically marrying the love of their life, Lara “I Can’t Believe I Got Dragged into This Bio Too” Schmitz.

This spring, they’ll be directing Countries Shaped Like Stars (Lunchbox Theatre) and We’re Gonna Die (Verb Theatre). And I bet it’ll be awesome.

-Written by Camille Pavlenko, friend

Kathryn Smith
Outside of the city at “Bin Diver” creating Mudfoot Theatres show Yabber. We used entirely recycled and reclaimed materials to make the show. Featured in the photo is Nia Devetzis. Trailer designed and built by Alia Shahab.
Kathryn Smith
Playing the National Music Centre for the queer music series. A very dreamy concert. Pictured is myself on guitar, and other Calgary musician Natalie Inga doing backup vocals for me.
Little family outing with my partner Lara Schmitz (who is also a theatre artist and all-around great human) and our rescue dog Scout.
Tech week for Calgary Young Peoples Theatre show Real Boi written by Camille Pavlenko. Pictured is the “character” Finnochio – a garbage puppet made and designed by Jamie Dunsdon.
Behind-the-scenes photo of myself and Artistic Associate Camille Pavlenko getting a photoshoot done with Mik Jirapan for Verb Theatre.
Directing the audio sci-fi thriller USS Artemis by Camille Pavlenko and Ali DeRegt; produced by Boathaus Studios.
Kathryn Smith
A creative exploration during Lunchbox Theatres Stage Two process for Kisapmata by Bianca Miranda. Featured in this picture are myself, Lyall Jovie, Bianca Miranda, and Chandler Oetekan.
Kathryn Smith
Calgary Pride Parade marching with SafeLink Alberta. Pictured is a gaggle of friends decked out in pride gear. Photo by Mike Tan.

***

Which ’hood are you in?

Parkdale in the NW. Near the bike path, river, and Calgary legend: The Lazy Loaf and Kettle.

What do you do?

I’m an artistic director, theatre director, designer, facilitator, creator, and singer/songwriter. I also love training my dog and going for a bike ride to a brewery or bakery.

What are you currently working on?

Currently, I’m doing sound design and composition for: The F Word co-created and performed Keshia Cheesman and Bianca Miranda! It’s so fun! The show is presented by Alberta Theatre Projects, produced by Downstage Theatre in association with Theatre Calgary and Handsome Alice.

Where can we find your work?

You can follow my personal and artistic adventures via my Instagram. And you can see a lot of my producing and directing work via Verb Theatre or Instagram.

 

 

About Demian Vernieri 664 Articles
Demian is an Argentinian retired musician, avid gamer and editor for the Montréal Guardian, Toronto Guardian, Calgary Guardian and Vancouver Guardian websites.
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