Kathleen Cawley
theatre maker. scholar. improviser.
Currently based in Madison, WI.
Home includes Galway, Ireland, Chicago, IL and Cleveland, OH.
CONTACT INFO:
Kathleen A Cawley @ gmail . com
twitter: @ThisIsKAC
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.
It is the source of all true art and science."
-Albert Einstein
Education & Training
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies), University of Wisconsin-Madison
expected 2022
Advisor: Dr. Mary Trotter
Master of Arts (Drama and Theatre Studies), National University of Ireland Galway
September 2015-August 2016
- Classwork exploring the historical context of contemporary Irish drama
- Participated in practical workshops with leading local theatre makers
- Thesis: "Schrödinger’s Audience: The tension between an awareness of one’s body and an investment in narrative in plays about death"
- First Class Honors
Bachelor of Arts (English Language and Literature), University of Chicago
Bachelor of Arts (Theatre and Performance Studies), University of Chicago
September 2010-June 2014
- Completed extensive Liberal Arts core curriculum and explored the intersection of drama and theatre
- Studied for one semester at University College Dublin, Ireland (2012)
- Participated extensively in extracurricular theatrical productions in a multitude of creative and managerial positions
- Completed research and practice thesis exploring the presentation of fact and personal narrative in verbatim theatre: “Lie to Me: Documentary Theatre and Its Failed Attempt to Challenge Artifice in Theatre”
- Cumulative GPA: 3.6
Theatrical Training
The Art of Improvisation (IA 610), UW-Madison
Spring 2018
- Interdisciplinary exploration of the utilization of improvisation culminating in a public museum performance
The Annoyance AP1, Chicago IL
October 2016-December 2016
- Continued training in improvisation
Druid Masterclass Series, Druid Theatre Company, Galway, Ireland
February 2016- June 2016
- 8 week exploration of the varying artistic influences that make up the Druid Theatre Company, establishing relationships with theatre practitioners in the UK and Ireland
Directing Masterclass with Garry Hynes, NUIG
October-November 2015
- 8 week training course in concept formation, text analysis, cultural context, and establishing relationships with actors
Second City Training Center Improvisation Program A-D, Chicago IL
August 2014-July 2015
- Studied scenic improv including ensemble work, object work, and character development
- Culminated in three public performances
Second City Training Center Writing Program 1-3, Chicago IL
August 2014-March 2015
- Practiced sketch writing using character creation, plotline development and scene structure
Storytelling Masterclass with Anna Deavere Smith, University of Chicago
January 2014
- Explored personal narrative and one-woman performance through object work and relationship with space
Fellowships and Awards
Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship, Dept. of Ed
Summer 2018
Completed language immersion courses equivalent to one year of study of the Irish language
Theatre and Performance Studies Award, University of Chicago
June 2014
“Presented to the graduating student who has best demonstrated the integration of artistic and academic excellence. Their academic and theatrical production participation over their collegiate career demonstrates the highest level of artistic excellence and dedication.”
Jeff Metcalf Fellowship, University of Chicago
June-August 2012
Dean’s List, University of Chicago
2011-2014
Research Interests
Personal Narrative and Memory; Irish Theatre of the 1990s; Performance Theory; Illness and the Body; Intersectional Feminism; Narrative Theory; Humor and Postmodernism; Queer Studies.
Professional Experience
Research Assistant
Waking the Feminists, Dublin, Ireland
April-November 2016
- Collected archival data from top theatre companies to explore gender representation
- Interviewed arts leaders about the perceived challenges of equality for women in the field
SELECTED Programme
Galway International Arts Festival, Galway, Ireland
July 2016
- Participated in closed meetings with artists and curators across the country
- Served as customer service representative interfacing with festival-goers
Assistant to the Managing Director
TAPS Dept., University of Chicago
September 2013-June 2014
- Spearheaded a program compiling and collecting audience feedback
- Supervised marketing, budgeting, and university funding for student performances
Development and Special Events Intern
Court Theatre, Chicago IL
January-June 2013
- Hosted pre-show events and reception for VIPs on Opening Nights
- Maintained relationships with donors through data organization and personal contact
- Organized Student Preview Night, including securing donors for tickets
Production Intern
The Second City, Chicago IL
June-September 2013
- Coordinated theatrical needs and venue requirements for three touring improv troupes
- Added creative critique for College, Political and General improv shows
Teaching Assistant
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Academic years 2017-18, 2018-19
- Taught intensive writing course in drama to undergraduate students
- Fostered an introductory relationship with theatre for students usually unfamiliar with the form.
Artistic Experience
Improvisor
Level D Show- The Dirty Shirleys, The Second City Training Center
May 3, 2015
Writer/Director/Performer
To Have A Flawless Memory- University Theatre, UofC
April 26, 2014
Co-Writer
Theatre[24]- University Theatre, UofC
Spring 2014
Director
Hello Out There- University Theatre, UofC
Spring 2013
Director
Theatre[24]- University Theatre, UofC
Spring 2013
Performer
Adaptation- University Theatre, UofC
Winter 2011
Performer
Theatre[24]- University Theatre, UofC
Autumn 2010
Design Experience
Scenic Designer
Much Ado About Nothing- University Theatre, UofC
Spring 2014
Asst. Scenic Designer
Fool For Love- University Theatre, UofC
Winter 2014
Asst. Costume Designer
Merchant of Venice- University Theatre, UofC
Spring 2013
Asst. Scenic Designer
Grey Gardens- University Theatre, UofC
Autumn 2013
Management Experience
Producer
Ghosts- Sonar Theatre Company, Galway Theatre Festival
April 2016
Production Assistant
'On Grace' with Anna Deavere Smith- UofC
Winter 2014
Stage Manager
Boston Marriage- University Theatre, UofC
Winter 2014
Stage Manager
House of Yes- University Theatre and Black Box Acting Studio
Autumn 2013
Production Manager
A Weekend of Workshops- University Theatre, UofC
Autumn 2013
Stage Manager
Spoon River Adaptation- University Theatre, UofC
Spring 2012
Coursework
Doctorate- University of Wisconsin-Madison
Postcolonial Theatre in the Global South
Celtic and Scandinavian Folklore in Film
Proseminar in Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies
Colleens and Drag Queens: Gender
The Art of Improvisation
Gender, Trauma, and Neurobiology
Irish Traditions
Theatre as Therapy in Volatile Regions
Latin American Theatre
Masters- National University of Ireland, Galway
Theatre Fieldwork and Business
Applied Theatre
Playwriting
Intro to Dramaturgy
Thinking About Theatre
Irish Drama from Beckett to Present
Writing About Theatre and Performance
Undergraduate- University of Chicago
Language and the Human 1-2
Elementary German 1-3
Humanities Writing Seminar 1-2
Self, Culture, and Society 1-3
"Impossible" Theaters
Intro to Music Analysis and Criticism
History and Theory of Drama
Intro to Yoga
The American Classics
James Joyce: Ulysses
Acting Workshop
Onstage Presence
Milton
Chicago
Director/Designer Collaboration
Before and After Beckett: Theater and Theory
Intro to Art
Sociology of Human Sexuality
Intro to Stage Design
Chicago Theatre: Budgets and Buildings
Gender and Sexuality in World Civilizations
Deutsche Maerchen
20th Century American Drama
Neo-Futurist Performance Workshop
Deutsch-Amerikanische Themen
Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism
Styles and Practice in Storytelling
Beginning Fiction Writing: Why We Tell Stories
Memberships & Publications
Memberships
Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas
American Conference for Irish Studies
Conference Presentations
"So Put Down The Rope": The Rubberbandits' Newest Challenge to Irish Toxic Masculinity
March 2018, UW-Madison Gender and Women's Studies Symposium
© 2016