Dr. Kate Smith
Bathurst,NSW
Summary
Performing arts professional prepared for new challenges with history of impactful contributions in theatre and live performance. Adept at orchestrating successful productions and fostering creative environments.
Proven ability to lead diverse teams and create compelling performances.
Demonstrated expertise in playwriting, performance, Directing, enhancing performance quality and audience engagement, script analysis devising and improvisation.
Arts Professional manager with significant expertise in overseeing cross-sector art projects. Skilled in strategic planning, grant writing, budget management, and risk assessment.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Creative Producer
Independent Arts
03.2021 - 03.2024
- Fast Cars Summary: A large-scale three-year performance project about the iconic mountain, Wahluu, Mt. Panorama. The project consisted of a series of events merging, art and activism using performance, moving image artwork, lantern-making, community music-making, arts and crafts and theatre to celebrate place and belonging.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and seamless execution.
- Applied and was successful in receiving over $120k of grants from state and federal governments.
- Formulated and monitored budgets to manage expenses.
- Created creative briefs and timeline to manage creative process from concept to completion for original stage musical.
- Facilitated four creative residencies with 12 artists.
- Directed photo shoots for print and digital media.
- Implemented strategies for promoting campaigns on social media.
- Directed a promotional video for project.
- Mentored junior team members, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.
Director and Playwright FAST CARS
Independent Arts Project
03.2021 - 03.2024
- Wrote and Directed Fast Cars. A satirical musical about family feuds and dirty deals about the great race and the beating heart of Bathurst, Wahluu/Mt. Panorama
- Led a team of thirty creatives and crew to premiere in 2023 Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre Season.
- Staged in a site-specific heritage mechanic's shed at the base of Wahluu Mt.Panorama.
- Facilitated First Nation collaborative moving image artwork with Nicole Welch and Wirribee- Aunty Leanna Carr Smith- WiradyuriNygirrNgurambang
- Wrote lyrics for six songs with composer Tim Hansen
- Return season V8 SuperCars Superfest 2024
Writer/producer
Independent Artist
01.2024 - 12.2024
- Creative Force: A podcast with exceptional women
- Interviewed individuals by phone, video chat and in-person to write news stories.
- Generated ideas for new content series or formats based on audience interests and market trends.
- Collaborated with editors to refine drafts, ensuring consistent tone and style across various platforms.
- Conducted thorough research on diverse topics, producing well-informed pieces that resonated with readers.
- Created content for website and socials.
Arts and Health Project Manager
Arts OutWest
10.2020 - Current
- Leading capacity building projects with artists in aged-care and disability
Lecturer Theatre/Media
Charles Sturt University
01.2005 - 12.2021
- Full-time and associate lecturer for the B.A Communication- Theatre/Media in the School of Communication & Creative Industries (SCCI)
- Leading the disciplines of Modern, Australian Theatre, Devising, Camera Performance and Scriptwriting
- Cultivated critical thinking skills through challenging assignments that required analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of information from various sources.
- Developed strong relationships with colleagues, collaborating on curriculum development and sharing best practices in teaching strategies.
- Evaluated student progress through regular assessments, providing detailed feedback for improvement and growth.
Producer/scriptwriter
Charles Sturt University
01.2016 - 12.2016
- First in Family - CSU website/animation series
- Presented production ideas and determined creative scenarios for production and delivery.
- Oversaw post-production processes, including video editing and sound mixing, to ensure a polished final product.
- Developed schedules for production, editing, and duplication for timely delivery.
- Coordinated logistics, schedules, and talent management for smooth production flow and optimal results.
- Conducted thorough pre-production planning sessions, ensuring all stakeholders were aligned on project objectives and timelines.
Education
Ph.D. - Performance Studies
Charles Sturt University
Bathurst, NSW05.2015
Diploma Ki Yoga - Ki Yoga Teacher Training And Zen Shiatsu Massage
Zen Renaissance Centre
Bondi Junction, NSW01.2003
B.A (Hons) - Communication-Theatre/Media
Charles Sturt University
Bathurst, NSW01.1994
Student of The Decade Award -
Kelso High School
Bathurst, NSW01.2001
Skills
- Arts Project management
- Fundraising and grant writing
- Arts administration experience
- Keynotes and Conference Presentations
- Scriptwriting and dramaturgy
- Directing
- Skilled improvisation
- Collaborative teamwork
- Community outreach initiatives
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Excellent communication
- Coaching and mentoring
Accomplishments
Create NSW Research Fellow 2019
Voted in Top 5 Best Comedic Actresses of 2016 Suzy Go See Sydney Theatre Review
PhD Scholarship Centre for Research into Complex Systems 2007
Websites
Training & Professional Development
- 01/01/23, Artlands Conference, Regional Arts Australia One of 80 participants sponsored to attend national conference as artist and advocate for Central West NSW.
- 01/01/22, Playing Australia and Performing Lines Creative Residency Scholarship, The Barn, Bathurst, NSW.
- 01/01/22, Creative Development Residency, In Dublin, Ireland with Director Annie Ryan of The Corn Exchange for new international inter-disciplinary collaboration #HAG Create NSW Fellowship.
- 01/01/19, Create NSW $30,000 Creative Development Fellowship, Recipient for Senior Regional Artist.
- 01/01/15, Doctor of Philosophy in Performance Studies, Charles Sturt University.
- 01/01/04, Producing Mentorship, AusCo & Darlinghurst Theatre & Performing Lines.
- 01/01/02 - 12/31/03, Yoga Teacher Training, Zen Renaissance Centre.
- 01/01/01, Student of The Decade Award, Kelso High School, Bathurst, NSW.
- 01/01/91 - 12/31/94, B.A (Hons) Communication-Theatre/Media, Charles Sturt University, Alumni Scholarship.
- 01/01/90, Vice Captain, Kelso High School, Bathurst.
Acting - Stage/ Screen
- 01/01/24 - 12/31/25, ViV!, A play for children by Catherine McNamara for Local Stages at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre BMEC - Dir: Catherine McNamara Producer: Kate Smith/Arts OutWest.
- 01/01/24 - 12/31/25, Murder Horse, A satirical musical Dir/Dramaturg: Kate Smith BMEC.
- 01/01/24, Highway of Lost Hearts, Regional Tour with Lingua Franca and Arts On Tour (lead) Dir: Adam Deausien.
- 01/01/24, Fast Cars, For V8 SuperCars Superfest at BMEC: Dir/Writer/Performer.
- 01/01/23, FAST CARS, Sold out site specific season (promo available).
- 01/01/23, Australian Performing Arts Exchange, Local Giants Pitches for Man in the Park for BMEC Actor.
- 01/01/23, ViV!, A play for children - Writer/Dir: Catherine McNamara Actor Creative Development BMEC.
- 01/01/23, ROAST NIGHT, TV Series SevenPLUS Dir: Rick Donald - (Mum/Lead TV).
- 01/01/22, Mentor/Director ‘In Breath', Alice Blackwood Local Stages Program Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre.
- 01/01/21, Highway of Lost Hearts, With Lingua Franca at BMEC: Dir Adam Deusien.
- 01/01/07 - 12/31/22, Cabaret Kite, Local Stages BMEC Curator & MC.
- 01/01/20, Cabaret Kite in The Kitchen, Livestreamed COVID Cabaret MC/ Curator BMEC Season.
- 01/01/19, Mighty, Lingua Franca Physical Theatre Company, BMEC: Dir Adam Deusien.
- 01/01/18 - 12/31/19, Dementia Art & Movement Project, For ArtsOutWest & Rural Health- Practitioner/Facilitator.
- 01/01/17, Horrible Harriet, CDP Productions 6-month National Tour Dir: Liesel Badorrek.
- 01/01/16, BEATCHES, Festival Fatale the Eternity Playhouse, Darlinghurst.
- 01/01/03 - 12/31/17, Smith & Fairley, Oh My God I Have Been Kidnapped and I Hate What I Am Wearing by Drew Fairley.
- 01/01/09, On Becoming A Witch, Dir. Cate McCarthy, BMEC Local Stages.
- 01/01/09, 30 Seconds Comedy Series, Dir. Sean Seet, ABCTV, Zapruder Films. (TV).
- 01/01/09, Spirited, Dir. Jonathon Teplitzksy, Prod. Claudia Karvan (TV).
- 01/01/08, The Unspeakable Itch, By Smith & Fairley. Commission from Merrigong Theatre.
- 01/01/08, Eugenio el Paradiso, Dir: Roberto Carlos Meza + Kate Smith. Short, Latin American Film Festival.
- 01/01/02 - 12/31/04, Beauty & The Beast, Foxtel, Dir. Mark Adams Role: panelist (TV).
- 01/01/00 - 12/31/03, State of Play, Theatre Ensemble Dir: founders Julian Louis/Nick Enright.
- 01/01/03, Five Stories High, Dir Julian Louis, Sydney Festival, Darlinghurst Theatre.
- 01/01/02, Mammon Inc., Action Theatre Singapore.
- 01/01/00, Kate & Julia, Foxtel, Dir. Mark Adams. Co-Writer, presenter with Julia Zemiro.
- 01/01/98 - 12/31/99, Wanderlust, Prod: Mary Tobin Sydney, Adelaide & Edinburgh, Melb. Comedy Festival.
Keynotes & Conferences
- 01/01/24, Work of Art, Regional Arts NSW, Facilitator – Performing Artists in the Regions.
- 01/01/22, Vivid Sydney Keynote, SLASHIES for Creative Plus Business.
- 01/01/22, Theatre Network NSW - State of the Sector, MC.
- 01/01/21, Create USYD Seminar Series, Creative Arts and Health Seminar with Arts OutWest.
- 01/01/21, Arts Wellbeing Seminar, Arts OutWest Springboard Program for regional artists + COVID recovery.
- 01/01/19, Australasian Drama Studies Conference (ADSA), Festive Environments- Paper University Tasmania.
- 01/01/18, All About Women, Panellist International Women's Day BME.
- 01/01/18, Women in the Arts Symposium, SCCI, CSU.
- 01/01/16, Third Space & The Mindful Academic, CSU Lunchtime Symposium Series.
- 01/01/16 - 12/31/18, Meditation Series for CSU Staff
- 01/01/11, Australasian Drama Studies Conference, Paper Presentation -Monash University.
- 01/01/10, International Federation for Theatre Studies Conference, Panel Presentation (PhD students) University of Lisbon, Portugal.
Publications
- Evans, M., & Smith, K., 01/01/19, Surfacing assumptions via ‘metaxic' method: an arts-based method for team fieldwork., Qualitative Research., https://doi.org/10.1177/1468794119855601
- Smith, K, 01/01/19, Liminoid Encounters: The partial experience of ‘spiegeltent performance', Australasian Drama Studies Association Conference: Festivals and Performance, University of Tasmania.
- Evans, M., & Smith, K., 01/01/15, Performing transgression: an experiment in practice-led research, MASK Symposium, Charles Sturt University School of Communication & Creative Industries.
Professional Highlights
- 01/01/21 - 12/31/24, Fast Cars, A large-scale three-year performance project about the iconic mountain, Wahluu, Mt. Panorama. Multi-artform merging, art and activism through performance, film, lantern-making, music, long-term community engagement and theatre to celebrate place and belonging. Dir/Prod/Writer.
- 01/01/21, Creative Dev. Fast Cars., Bathurst Regional Art Gallery- Hill End Residency Recovery Grant Create NSW.
- 01/01/20 - present, Arts & Health Research Officer, Arts Out West- Regional Arts Development Organization.
- 01/01/05 - 12/31/21, Lecturer Theatre/Media, School of Communication and Creative Industries, Charles Sturt University.
- 01/01/16, First in Family, CSU website/animation series- Producer/scriptwriter.
- 01/01/03 - 12/31/16, Touring, With co-writer and performer Drew Fairley, Kate toured extensively to festivals nationally and internationally.
- 01/01/05 - 12/31/07, Casting Associate, Casting Support Australia (CSA), Barrett Casting.
Certification
- NSW Driver's License
- NSW Boat Licence
- Diploma Ki Yoga
- Registered Senior Teacher Yoga Australia
- Mental Health at Work First Aid Training
- First Aid Certification
- Working With Children Check
Timeline
Writer/producer
Independent Artist
01.2024 - 12.2024
Creative Producer
Independent Arts
03.2021 - 03.2024
Director and Playwright FAST CARS
Independent Arts Project
03.2021 - 03.2024
Arts and Health Project Manager
Arts OutWest
10.2020 - Current
Producer/scriptwriter
Charles Sturt University
01.2016 - 12.2016
Lecturer Theatre/Media
Charles Sturt University
01.2005 - 12.2021
B.A (Hons) - Communication-Theatre/Media
Charles Sturt University
Student of The Decade Award -
Kelso High School
Ph.D. - Performance Studies
Charles Sturt University
Diploma Ki Yoga - Ki Yoga Teacher Training And Zen Shiatsu Massage
Zen Renaissance Centre
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