Finding Family Through Stage Managing

by Michelle Cates

Senior Kattie Smith is no stranger to a set piece. Though they originally attended Young Harris College and North Georgia Tech, they ultimately couldn’t resist the familiar pull of Piedmont. Growing up, Smith watched their grandparents participate in Piedmont’s chorale and, similarly, an influential theatre teacher in their life was a Piedmont alumna. As a high schooler, Smith knew they’d found their calling when that theatre teacher walked them through the process of setting up a prompt book.

“I’ll never forget being in that room and being like ‘I need to do this forever’,”Smith said. “I was having fun doing paperwork, like what? [My teacher] came in and she changed my view of things.”

Because Smith transferred to Piedmont, they initially worried about fitting in. However, the familial nature of the fine arts departments quickly became apparent to the burgeoning stage manager.

“I got here and everyone here treated me like they had known me for years. The sense of family here is different than anywhere else,” Smith said with a sentimental smile. “I’ve met people across the country and online and no one here has the relationships with their teachers that we do at Piedmont. It supports growth in a different way and [professors] really look out for us in a way that I’ve never seen from any other school.”

Transferring to Piedmont in spring 2024 meant Smith came in in the middle of the 23-24 Mainstage season and they were not quite as involved in their first Piedmont production. Despite that, Smith was able to be an assistant stage manager, as well as contribute as a stage painter, for A Piece of my Heart.

Smith is the current stage director for Piedmont’s production of Godspell, a retelling of the gospel through Matthew. It’s a story of community which Smith feels accurately describes the Theatre Department overall as well as their own experience at Piedmont up to this point. Coincidentally, this is not their first encounter with Godspell, as the play was the first play they ever stage managed.

“This is a very full circle moment for me because I always wanted to do it again, and now I’m doing it for my capstone,” Smith said with a shy smile. “As stage manager, I love being a part of [freshmen’s] first step of college theatre. Watching how they’ve grown and changed already is really cool to witness.”

Speaking to the family nature of Piedmont, Smith cites their professors as inspirations in their college journey. From John’s life experience, to Bill’s encouragement, to Kathy’s empathetic nature, Smith goes to them for advice on theatre and in life.

“Godspell is a story about community and found family which is very representative of Piedmont theatre. You have a bunch of people from all walks of life coming together and making art, which is beautiful.”