10 Within 10 Recognition

Location: New York City
Career: Actor

Katie is cast as Christine Daaé in the national production of “The Phantom of the Opera,” which is touring now. She is also a recent winner of the Lys Symonette award for her performance at the 2014 Lotte Lenya Competition. Katie has spent time teaching music in Ghana at the Beacon House School, an orphanage for children in Accra.

What is the best resource young people can contribute to the world?

“Optimism. Hope that things can change or somehow be improved by what they have to offer to their field.”

What motivates you?

“My colleagues, my teachers, my family, the way the light shines through trees, Dunkin’ Donuts, sunflowers, memorizing people’s hands, noticing silly quirks about people, the possibility of love, the possibility of anything really.”

What is your proudest achievement so far?

“Playing Christine Daaé every day, sometimes twice a day. One hundred fifty shows in and still learning.”

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

“One of my directors says something along the lines of: ‘I let go of the past, I forgive myself, and I recognize that not all things hold the same weight.’”

Why is it important for you to stay connected to CMU?

“In my field of work, it’s especially important because this is a field that requires you to take some major risks and move to whatever theater scene you hope to be a part of. It’s important to stay connected to help each other find voice, acting, dance teachers, to help each other find temp jobs, to have friends to wait at auditions with at 5 a.m.”