Cape Fear Regional Theatre, NC
Artistic Director
2018-Current

When Mary Kate first began as the Artistic Director of Cape Fear Regional Theatre (CFRT), the theatre impacted 40,000 people per year and had an annual operating budget of 1.6MM. Mary Kate saw the institution through the COVID pandemic, where she, her staff, and Board of Directors boldly launched a Capital Campaign to renovate the theatre. Now, 9 years in to her tenure, the theatre impacts over 60,000 people per year, and has an annual operating budget of 2.1MM. Has successfully completed and paid for Phase one of the Capital Campaign- an interior theatre renovation, and is actively in Phase 2- a 25MM overhaul doubling the square footage of the remainder of the facility. Act 2: Elevate and Expand broke ground in April 2025 and is slated to open in Fall 2026. Currently they are 85% funded.

Other Significant Accomplishments:
Produced and Developed Music City, which transferred to off Broadway in 2024
Developed The Passport Program, a playwriting and performance program for military youth. This program is self sustaining thanks to grant funding.
Developed a program with The Friendship House, a facility for adults of varying abilities, who rehearse and perform in the ensemble of our family friendly show each season, showing those with Autism, Cerebral Palsy or Down Syndrome that they belong in our theatre and on our stages.
Secured 7.1MM in State funding, 2.5MM in City funding, 3.5MM in County funding, 2MM in foundation funding and 6MM in individual funding.
Wrote and directed Where Were You, a commemoration of the 20th anniversary of Sept 11th in Fayetteville, NC in collaboration with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and The Cumberland County Chorale. This public large scale event featured videos of stories by Major Gen. (Ret) Al T. Aycock, Representatives John Szoka and Diane Wheatley, Garrison Commander Pence, Sen. Kirk DeViere and Ben Clark, in addition to other community members.
Secured over 300k in new annual operational grants.
Oversaw and managed the Act 1 Renovation of the interior of the theatre a 1MM renovation that included new spacious seats, new HVAC, new sound turn key sound system designed by a TONY Award Winning Sound Designer.
Grew education program and outreach to rural schools, giving access and growing the next generation of audiences.
During COVID staged two productions in non traditional venues that were vacant commercial properties - both properties rented with in 3 months of the production, even though they had been vacant for months. Effectively staging vacant commercial real estate and driving economic development.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival
Director of Programming
2012-2014

Managed and read 250 musical submissions each season.  Selecting and nurturing 30 plus shows, concerts and special events each season. The 2014 season saw several shows transfer including Clinton, The Musical to off-Broadway, The Civil War to the Adirondack Theatre Festival, Sing Me Home to The Goodspeed Opera House’s Festival of New Musicals, as well as number of other shows under option by commercial producers.

Other Significant Accomplishments:
Managed the Next Link Submission Process, which had a 50% increase in submissions in 2012, to 250 new musicals. 
Produce the Developmental Reading Series. Dramaturg 5 new musicals each season.
Successfully led the Equity, Local 802 and SDC negotiations for 3 year agreements.
Procured Steel Spring Stage Rights as a sponsor, and created an annual award for a NYMF musical to be licensed. 
Partnered with TDF Autism Initiative and solicited fund from a private foundation to underwrite two family friendly inclusion performances.
First season as Director of Programming was recognized by Huffington Post as part of their Best Theatre of 2013 year end wrap up. 
Created the Women’s Composer Concert, featuring 15 female composers including: Amanda Green, Julianne Wick Davis, Grace McLean & Lydia Benecke.  
Produced The Student Leadership Program.  Students from 10 different schools created a concert; written, directed, designed and performed by students.  

Millbrook Playhouse, PA
Artistic Director
2009-2011

During her tenure, she paid down a sizable deficit (+10% of the annual operating budget), increased the capital resources such as the lighting and sound inventory, repaired the roof, and improved the aesthetics of the building. The 2011 season was the most financially successful and critically lauded season in the Playhouse’s 48 years, outselling its box office goals by more than 47%.  She produced 38 shows in her 3 seasons, directing 10 of them.  

Other Significant Accomplishments:
Commissioned & Produced 3 World Premieres
Largest Single Donor Contribution (25k)
Largest Donation from Foundation (17k)
Grew budget 10% 
Increased group sales by 700%
Grew children’s programming by 260%

She did this by building an incredible team of artists, many of whom returned all 3 seasons to work at the theatre.  “I believe that if you build a great team and nurture your artists, they will work ceaselessly until they have realized their vision; and that listening and organization are key attributes to any theatre's success.  Creating a passionate, dedicated, joyful work environment elevated the quality of the work beyond the budget.  The theatre became the cultural epicenter of the community and a dynamic place that patrons hungered to go.  It was an economic engine, for a community that was reeling from the recession.   I believe in creating incredible art in a fiscally responsible manner.  I believe the economics and art of a company are intertwined, and in today’s economy you need leadership that has a strong marriage of art and finance to ensure your theatre will thrive!"

Community Involvement:

• Secured funding from Clinton County Community Foundation to host Senior Preview Night to provide over 1,000 free tickets and transportation for seniors to our preview.

• Partnered with the local library to run a summer literacy program for children.

• Acquired funding from the Kiwanis Clubs to tour our children’s productions to every local elementary school, free of charge, ensuring every child would see a live theatre performance in 2011.

• Partnered with the Women’s Center to produce the Vagina Monologues, which had actors who ranged from their 20’s-60’s. This show raised funds and awareness for women’s issues.

Vital Theatre Company, NYC
Producing Associate
2008-2009

During her time there she oversaw the transfer of Pinkalicious, The Musical to New World Stages and subsequently to 45 Bleecker Street.   She was also responsible for writing the grant that made Vital one of eleven  finalist for the NEA’s prestigious New Play Development Grant.