Artist of the Week

Talented Actress and Singer Shares her Passion with the KENT Community

By Colleen Hartigan, courtesy of Kent News

Singer and actress Katie Middleton ’10 has had more musical success over the past few years than any other time in her life.

Here at Kent, she is starring in the upcoming production of Guys and Dolls as Adelaide, a major singing and acting role. She shares the spotlight with Alex Head ’09, who plays Sarah. Middleton has a few major solos and is featured in three other songs in the play. She notes, “My favorite part of rehearsal is dancing with the hot box girls. We get to fool around because the choreography isn’t too serious so we get to have fun with the dancing and outfits. I also love how the characters are portrayed as always having fun, so in the play we’re always laughing or screaming.” Last year, Middleton played Josephine Strong in the spring production of Urinetown, which was quite a hit. The Kent musicals have been a good opportunity for Middleton to pursue her passion for singing, dancing, and acting while she is at school. 

At home, Middleton acts for productions in New York City with a company called “Applause.” The company puts on showcases compiled of songs and scenes with similar themes. She usually lands a major singing role with a number of solos in the various performances.

Middleton is expanding her passion for theatre from acting to directing as well. She just recently directed a one-act play in the annual One Acts at Kent. Her play was called Surprise, in which she directed and played a woman in a break-up scene.

Not only is she an outstanding actress, but Katie also has a beautiful singing voice. She receives voice lessons from Ms. Albrecht once a week, sings in the school choir and the school chamber choir. Middleton also participates in the a cappella group Kentettes, conducted by Dr. Parker.

Katie also recently participated in the Northern Regional Competition and Performance for singing. Katie and four other Kent students had to compete in order to be selected for the competition. Katie and her peers learned five songs during the day and preformed them at night. That was Katie’s first major competition, but she hopes to someday sing in many more. Katie adds, “I struggle with reading music, but I’m practicing and improving a lot. Someday I would like to write my own songs and lyrics.” Katie plans to continue her passion for acting and singing in college while also receiving a liberal arts education.

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