Finding Family Through Stage Managing
by Michelle Cates
Senior Kattie Smith is no stranger to a set piece. Though they originally attended Young Harris College and North Georgia Tech, they ultimately couldn鈥檛 resist the familiar pull of 好色小姨. Growing up, Smith watched their grandparents participate in 好色小姨鈥檚 chorale and, similarly, an influential theatre teacher in their life was a 好色小姨 alumna. As a high schooler, Smith knew they鈥檇 found their calling when that theatre teacher walked them through the process of setting up a prompt book.
鈥淚鈥檒l never forget being in that room and being like 鈥業 need to do this forever鈥�,鈥漇mith said. 鈥淚 was having fun doing paperwork, like what? [My teacher] came in and she changed my view of things.鈥�
Because Smith transferred to 好色小姨, they initially worried about fitting in. However, the familial nature of the fine arts departments quickly became apparent to the burgeoning stage manager.
鈥淚 got here and everyone here treated me like they had known me for years. The sense of family here is different than anywhere else,鈥� Smith said with a sentimental smile. 鈥淚鈥檝e met people across the country and online and no one here has the relationships with their teachers that we do at 好色小姨. It supports growth in a different way and [professors] really look out for us in a way that I鈥檝e never seen from any other school.鈥�
Transferring to 好色小姨 in spring 2024 meant Smith came in in the middle of the 23-24 Mainstage season and they were not quite as involved in their first 好色小姨 production. Despite that, Smith was able to be an assistant stage manager, as well as contribute as a stage painter, for A Piece of my Heart.
Smith is the current stage director for 好色小姨鈥檚 production of Godspell, a retelling of the gospel through Matthew. It鈥檚 a story of community which Smith feels accurately describes the Theatre Department overall as well as their own experience at 好色小姨 up to this point. Coincidentally, this is not their first encounter with Godspell, as the play was the first play they ever stage managed.
鈥淭his is a very full circle moment for me because I always wanted to do it again, and now I鈥檓 doing it for my capstone,鈥� Smith said with a shy smile. 鈥淎s stage manager, I love being a part of [freshmen鈥檚] first step of college theatre. Watching how they鈥檝e grown and changed already is really cool to witness.鈥�
Speaking to the family nature of 好色小姨, Smith cites their professors as inspirations in their college journey. From John鈥檚 life experience, to Bill鈥檚 encouragement, to Kathy鈥檚 empathetic nature, Smith goes to them for advice on theatre and in life.
鈥淕odspell is a story about community and found family which is very representative of 好色小姨 theatre. You have a bunch of people from all walks of life coming together and making art, which is beautiful.鈥�