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Karin
McKie
Age:
Timeless
Title:
Actor, Writer, Publicist/Tree Falls Productions
University/Training: BS in Theatre, James Madison University–Harrisonburg, Va.; London, England; The Second City Training Center; bunches of classes.
Recent/Current Projects: Mrs. Mackenzie’s Beginner’s Guide to the Blues, Stage Left Theatre (where I’m an ensemble member and publicist). I’m directing a reading of my play, Hot-Blooded Blonde, at American Theater Company. Upcoming performances: Live Bait’s Fillet of Solo Festival; Collaboraction’s The Joy of Going Somewhere Definite at the Storefront Theater; and touring with Wavelength Theatre. I head my own arts publicity, promotions and marketing firm, Tree Falls Productions.
How has your training/college education helped prepare you for a career in theatre?: I hate to say it, but my college prepared me little for the real world as an actor. It was about the academics rather than life after the academy. I would have appreciated more adult guidance in preparing to perform. I did have invaluable hands-on experience in all aspects of production–from performance to costume design to set building, which serve as terrific memories but only prepared me to be a well-rounded college student rather than a marketable professional. It took me many years, post-graduation, to obtain these skills.
Why did you choose to ply your craft in Chicago?: It’s the home of improvisation, and I ended up doing a lot of improv at the end of college and post-university in the Washington, D.C. area. I moved here to take classes at The Second City in 1993 and stayed for the theatre. The ultimate irony about loving Chicago is that it’s taken me to many other places, like the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (WNEP Theater) and Amsterdam (Boom Chicago).