Mary Kate is a director and Artistic Leader with a focus in developing new plays and musicals. She is currently the Artistic Director of Cape Fear Regional Theatre, in Fayetteville, NC, which is also the home of Ft. Bragg, the largest military installation in the US. She remains connected to the commercial theatre world through Dede Harris Productions, where she served as an associate for 4 years.
She first got her start assisting for film legends Arthur Penn (director of Bonnie & Clyde and The Miracle Worker) on the two time TONY award winning Broadway production of Fortune’s Fool as well Johnathan Lynn (My Cousin Vinny, Clue & The Whole Nine Yards) on the off-Broadway production of A Mother. A Daughter. And A Gun starring Olympia Dukakis.
She is equally at home directing plays as musical. Having worked in a wide range of producing environments from Broadway to a theatre in a Barn, she is very adaptable. She loves style hybrids and shows that challenge or ignite the imagination with humor. Some of her favorite collaborators are Tyce Diorio, Matt Castle, Daniel Allen, Charles Glenn Johnson, Andrew Garvis, Dan Jobbins, Jeff Croiter and Brian Harlan Brooks.