Meet Kate Britton | Education Director at Verge Theater, Casting Director, Actor, Yoga Instructor, Mom, Tea Drinker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kate Britton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kate, what principle do you value most?
Kindness and integrity. How we treat people matters. Sometimes our culture interprets kindness as weakness, which is so far off the mark. It takes strength to use empathy and move through the world with a heart centered approach, even if you aren’t being treated kindly. This does not mean letting people walk all over you. I try to maintain politeness and remind people when their behavior is not ok. If find this works well in almost all situations. We’ve seen an escalation in horrible behavior over the last couple of years. Screaming at people in costumer service over nonsense, trolling online, name calling jumps to violence. Kindness matters, it’s recognition that we’re all human and doing our best.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Finding my way professionally has been a winding, labyrinth with numerous dead ends, and me trying to dig my way through. Anyone that says there’s a recipe for success is lying. For fifteen years I worked as a professional actor in London, Los Angeles, and New York. I pounded the pavement running from audition to audition, changing in cars and elevators. I missed out on trips home to Montana, and special events because I was shooting or prepping for an audition. I usually had about six day jobs. I embarrassed myself when I wasn’t prepared, I celebrated small victories, even when my family and friends didn’t understand. The moments of being truly fed as an artist were few and far between. I was exhausting myself on an alter of sacrifice for things like commercial auditions for Chips Ahoy. And then I had my daughter.

So many things were put into perspective. Including that my husband and I didn’t want to be raising her in a city. A one bedroom apartment with a toddler will quickly drive you crazy. So we headed back to Montana. I believed this would be the end of my acting career, the end of being involved with film, the end of any kind of a creative occupation. I was so wrong.

Four years later I’m the happiest creatively and professionally that I have ever been. I’m am no longer running ragged. I’m selective about what I want do be involved in. Will it feed me or deplete me? My time with family and for myself is prioritized. I’ve worked to build communities, rather than being isolated and promoting only myself. Working as the Education Director for Verge Theater, I’m taking the arts to people that truly benefit from it including a prison theater program, acting classes for youth experiencing mental health crisis, teen theater programs, improv for executives, improv for the Montana School for the Blind, adult acting classes for people who have always wanted to try it and never been brave enough, etc. I’ve found another career as a casting director, and experience much joy in getting other actors work, and changing some of the ways of operating that I’ve always found toxic in the casting process. I love love love building teams, and strong networks of artists that take care of each other. I’m learning about the opportunities for artists in rural locations. You don’t have to live in a city to “succeed”.

The business of acting is a microcosm of capitalism, competitive and ultimately destructive. I want to continue to fight that model and find ways to nurture the artist, both myself and those around me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in Livingston, MT. It is charming to the max! Number one must visit is my husband’s restaurant, Campione. (www.eatcampione.com) Intimate, innovative Italian cuisine made from scratch using ingredients from many local sources. Other favorite spots are the Shane Lalani Center for the Arts, which houses tremendous local theater and events, Eastside Coffee, The Murray Hotel offers old time allure, 2nd St Bistro, Livingston Community Bakery has the best croissants and Elk River Books across the street is my favorite book store. Must visit Chico Hot Springs for a soak and a beer, and Pine Creek Lodge is a unique outdoor venue to see big name music and local talent. This is a small, but thriving, artistic community with so much to offer!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Verge Theater, my wonderful buddies, my library card, and Anthony and Colette and the rest of my family who offer endless love, inspiration, and sources of learning.

Website: www.kate-britton.com

Instagram: @katembritton

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-britton-92220210

Twitter: @katebritton1

Image Credits
Joseph Thiebes, Matthew Murphy, Ashley Michel Hoban, Andrew Bellware, Ciara Griffin, Hilary Parker