Rockapella
September 4th, 2008 at 8:00 pm - The undisputed kings of contemporary pop a cappella, the sound of this five-man powerhouse is an inf Learn More...
Gleb Ivanov, pianist
September 11th, 2008 at 8:00 pm - Twenty-five year old Russian pianist Gleb Ivanov is “eerily like the ghost of Horowitz…His talent is Learn More...
Music in the Air VI
September 14th, 2008 at 5:00 pm - Bells and more will ring from the tower of Tillman Hall as university carillonneur Linda Dzuris pres Learn More...
Neil Berg's 100 Years of Broadway
September 16th, 2008 at 8:00 pm - 100 Years of Broadway is a revue featuring five of Broadway’s finest singers accompanied by an all-s Learn More...
The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley
September 26th, 2008 at 7:00 pm - Ten year old Stanley Lambchop makes it cool to be flat! Although an unfortunate encounter with a bu Learn More...
Taking the Windy City By Storm
Katie Jones
Class of 2004
Katie Jones is taking Chicago by storm. As a freelance director and the outreach coordinator for the American Theater Company, Katie is very active in the city’s vibrant theatre scene.
Since moving to Chicago about a year ago, she’s directed several plays for a variety of small theatre companies as well as implemented artist’s residencies at local schools.
“I’ve worked with every age group, from preteens to retirees. I’m loving every minute of it,” Katie said.
After graduating, Katie spent a year in Sarasota, Fla., interning at the Asolo Theatre.Her connections there led to the move to the Windy City. “I was lucky to work for a director who liked my work. He knew I needed a job after my internship ended, and invited me to come here, where he also directs.”
Her debut in Chicago was What’s it All About? at the Northlight Theatre. “It was a play written and acted by senior citizens,” she said. “The play was comprised of five vignettes that dealt with life as a senior citizen.”
Katie has also directed Autumns Leaves at the Citadel Theatre, and Customer for Life, a new play by Chicago writer Bill Jordan at the Around the Coyote Winter Festival. She is currently working on Dig, a new production by the Guerilla Tango Theatre.
In addition, she is a member of the Directors Lab Chicago, a networking organization for up-and-coming directors.
“I truly believe my time in Clemson prepared me for this,” Katie said. “The faculty pushed me to my fullest potential. When I had an idea, they said try it. That’s how Mock Turtle Soup got its start.” Katie was a founding member of the university’s student improvisation club, which remains active on campus.
If that weren’t enough, Katie is the outreach coordinator at the American Theater Company. She plans in-school residencies with the company’s teaching artists. “I help teachers integrate drama into to their curriculums,” she explained. “I work with actors and teachers designing activities that help teach English, writing, history, and other subjects.”
The American Theater Company also offers free performances to schools. “It’s similar to the Brooks Center’s Tri-ART program,” she said. “I arrange those visits to the theatre.”
In addition, she runs ATC’s two-week summer camp.
“Since moving to Chicago my perspective about theatre has changed,” Katie said. “Back in Clemson, I believed theatre was just for people to enjoy. Now, I believe that the arts do more than entertain. The arts are a public service that can enrich the lives of people, young and old. The arts make our society better.”
With all that Katie is doing, it’s no wonder that Chicago is a better place.
