Kate Arecchi Director

Kate holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre Performance from Syracuse University and an M.F.A. in Directing from Pennsylvania State University. She has directed, choreographed, and performed at theatres around the country including Northern Stage, Syracuse Stage, Mill Mountain Theatre, North Shore Music Theatre, Granbury Opera House, Galveston Island Musicals, Expanded Arts, Summerfest Cabaret, and on National Tours of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, SHENANDOAH, and HENRY V. Interested in new work, Kate collaborated with composer Mildred Kayden adapting and directing her musical STORYVILLE at Galveston Island Musicals, directed a workshop production of Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk’s THE WOMAN UPSTAIRS at North Shore Music Theatre and Boston Conservatory, and multiple workshops of Marita DeLara’s play YOU PICK COLOR at East West Players in LA.

In 2011 she directed the American Premiere of Carmel Dean’s musical about Edna St. Vincent Millay, A GIRL CALLED VINCENT at JMU. Additional JMU directing credits include: SWEENEY TODD, ALL SHOOK UP, URINETOWN, OKLAHOMA!, KISS ME KATE, and SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD.

From 2006 2014 she served as the Artistic Director of the Papermill Theatre Company at Jean’s Playhouse in NH. Previously she served as the Artistic Director/ Writer for Children’s Theatre Company at the Papermill Theatre, and as the Artistic Director/ Associate Producer at Galveston Island Musicals.

Kate is currently the Virginia SETC Auditions Screening Coordinator, Artistic Director of the JMU Summer Children’s Theatre, and on the Advisory Board of the Harrisonburg High School Arts Academy.

Prior to coming to JMU Kate was on the faculty at Plymouth State University in NH. Kate is a member of the Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), and is an associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC).