Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Turner.
Hi Katie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The first time I ever performed in what could be called a play was in third grade, when I was the Scarecrow for a staged reading performed for my classmates. I was so excited because I had this great idea to do a big spin on a certain line. When I went for it, my glasses flew off and I was super embarrassed.
Fast forward 8 years to my next performance opportunity as a high school student in Houston, TX at St. Agnes Academy (a college prep school for girls). It happened to be right across the street from an all guys’ prep school, Strake Jesuit, and a guy that went there that I had just met, EJ Nonmacher, was asking around to see who might be interested in performing with him in a one act play for a lunchtime performance series. Aside from my meager staged reading blooper, I had never had the opportunity to try theatre but had been thinking I wanted to. Not knowing any better, I memorized both our lines, not just my own, thinking that was how it was done. When it came to performance day, I was glad I did! Just a couple of minutes into the performance, there was a silence when EJ was supposed to respond, and I knew instantly that he didn’t know the line. I also instinctively knew that we couldn’t stop the show and that since I did know the line that I could figure out how to feed it to him without clueing in the audience to our situation. So I did, and we got back on track, and even though I had to rescue him a few more times, we go through the play and it was so exhilarating! I remember us being backstage and giving each other the biggest hug. I had never in my life been so fully in the moment, so completely at home with what was going on. I knew from that moment on that this was something I wanted to be part of for the rest of my life!
At the same time, I was just starting to study philosophy, which was to become a very close second to theatre in terms of things that really made sense to me and sparked my imagination. It quickly became clear to me that theatre and philosophy are two roads on the way to the same destination–two ways of working out what it means to be a person in the world, two places to ask and try out answers to life’s biggest questions. And sometimes just an excuse to laugh or cry uncontrollably. Later I would learn how many influential playwrights were also philosophers (Jean-Paul Sartre, Voltaire, Helene Cixous, just to name a few).
From there I went off to college, double majoring in Theatre and Philosophy, which led to a Master’s degree in Theatre, and finally a PhD, with dozens of productions along the way. I started that path 25 years ago and, while the journey has gone in a different direction than I ever could have imagined, the destination has always been the same–to participate in the creation of theatre arts, and to work with other theatre artists.
While acting first brought me to the art form, I have since branched out significantly, and tried just about every job the theatre has to offer, included teaching. That was maybe the biggest surprise to me–how much I would love teaching, and how much it would come to inform where I am now as an artist. I always loved the study of theatre history and literature as much as the practice of it, which led me to pursue research degrees, while all the time still producing plays in a variety of capacities. This led me to where I am now, Assistant Director in the School of Theatre, Television, and Film at San Diego State University, where I have been teaching since 2018.
Also since 2018, I returned to my first love of acting, now from the point of view of training other actors. It took a little while for me to realize how much this aspect of theatre inspires me. It wasn’t until I returned to directing after a roughly 10 year hiatus and was back in the rehearsal room working with actors that it came home to me how much that work means to me. As an actor myself, I understood all the challenges facing performers wanting to find true and meaningful connection on stage. It led me to pursue more actor training myself, which led me to the Meisner & Chekhov Integrated Actor Training studio, founded and led by Liz Shipman and Lisa Berger. I studied with them from 2019-2024, through the pandemic and beyond. They taught me almost everything I know about activating my imagination, being in touch with my body, and finding pathways to honest and inspired acting. I became hungry to share that knowledge with acting students at SDSU and beyond.
In January 2024, Liz and Lisa welcomed me into their company as Executive Director and as an apprentice faculty member. Their legacy and success drove me to want to open my own studio space, partially to house the MCIAT program, but also to create more space for actors and actor training in San Diego. With help of my tireless real estate agent Hannah Cheadle, I found the space that became The Actor’s Place, which I opened in October 2024. I can’t believe it’s been almost a year already!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think anyone who decides to make the arts a profession has a smooth road in front of them. It’s just not how it’s set up in our society. I struggled financially for many years, especially before getting hired at SDSU. I have also struggled personally. Production and teaching work require a great deal of time and energy. This sometimes causes conflicts in relationships, or for you to give up time with loved ones. It also makes it hard to have the time to take care of yourself emotionally and physically. Would I do it any differently? Not a chance–I am an artist and I am proud to have figured out a way to stay in the industry. But it definitely hasn’t always been easy!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In terms of actor training, I’m trained in the Michael Chekhov and Sanford Meisner techniques, and have also studied the Kristin Linklater approach to vocal training. Before any of this, I started as an improvisational actor in 2002, which was also the first form of acting I ever taught. The foundation in spontaneity, imagination, and play I found with improv and then again with Chekhov and Meisner is what informs both my teaching and my personal acting practice.
I’m most known for my original work created during the pandemic through my company Turnkey Theatre (2020-2022). With Turnkey, I worked with other artists to devise works that both involved the audience in some way in the performance and that could be performed remotely. The most memorable thing to come out of this was Iris & the Axe, and choose-your-own-adventure gothic melodrama that won the “Outside the Box” award at the 2022 San Diego International Fringe Festival, which I wrote, directed, and produced. Creating work, even in a more traditional venue, that pushes the audience-performer relationship and the bounds of theatricality is my trademark, as an artist.
Aside from that I’m best known as a teacher. Students who work with me fine me approachable, knowledgeable, and passionate. I have a knack for meeting students where they are and helping them to keep moving forward. I love what I do, and this enthusiasm feeds back to my students.
I’m most proud of opening The Actor’s Place. Even before studying with MCIAT, I had dreamed of a studio where I could go anytime or that I could offer to others to do their work. It was a big risk, but I love it every time I head down the hall to the studio door. I sometimes can’t believe it actually happened!
I think what sets me apart from others is the fact that I am an Generalist. I’m equally comfortable writing, acting, directing, producing, or working behind the scenes. My first job after graduating college was working as a foreman in a scene shop at a community college. Because of this, I have been able to produce a lot of my own work. It also helps me when collaborating with others, as I have a working knowledge of what they are trying to do. I always tell my students to get as good as they can at as much as they can.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’m always looking for talented teaching artists to offer high quality workshops and classes in my studio. I’m always hoping that students who take classes with me or others at the studio will spread the word–we are trying to get our name out there in the San Diego theatre and film community!
Folks may be interested in our upcoming Adult Musical Theater Summer Intensive, running in two 3-week sessions starting July 7th and ending August 14th. Take dance classes, work on your audition skills, level up your acting–all in a short time for a great price!
Pricing:
- Community Membership (class discounts, access to special events) $24.99/month
- Exclusive Pro Membership (studio rental, equipment use, class discounts) $74.99/month
- Actor in Training Membership $249.99/month for unlimited classes
- Musical Theatre Intensive–6-week pass for $550, 3-week pass for $300
- Invdividual classes and workshops range from $45-$200
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.actors-place.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actorsplacesandiego/
