On our final episode of the semester, we interview Katie O'Halloran (she/her) and Vinh Nguyen (he/him).
Katie is a Dublin-based, interdisciplinary director and creator from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her work celebrates theatricality, examines the materiality and effects of borders and confines, and prioritises a thorough probing of the text. She fuses her love of analyzing language with detailed vocal and physical work, as she firmly believes that “actors write with their bodies”.
She holds a BFA (Hons) in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory (concentrations in Directing, Acting, Songwriting) and an MFA (Distinction) in Directing from The Lir National Academy of Dramatic Art.
Vinh is a multi-faceted theatre maker, educator, and EDI consultant based in the San Francisco Bay Area/Ohlone Native Land. He has performed with companies such as 42nd Street Moon, San Jose Stage, Bay Area Musicals, Cabrillo Stage, and Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre. During his time in San Diego to pursue his graduate studies, Vinh performed in concerts with The Old Globe Theatre, San Diego Symphony, and Kristin Chenoweth at the Music Box Theatre.
As a director, Vinh aims to critically examine and reinterpret the American Musical Theatre cannon for a modern audience. He is also invested in and has contributed to the creation of new works that spotlight BIPOC voices and diverse cultural experiences. Selected world premieres include: Mr. Holland's Opus (by BD Wong and Wayne Baker), Gold: The Midas Musical (by Min Kahng for Bay Area Children's Theatre), and The Emeryville Horror (Same Boat Theatre Collective, the Bay Area's first & only environmental justice theatre company). Vinh will be directing the musical Company for South Bay Musical Theatre and the musical Allegiance for Palo Alto Players this upcoming season.
Vinh is a passionate advocate and consultant for the causes of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and anti-racism in the theatre, having contributed to EDI efforts of companies such as: South Bay Musical Theatre, Hillbarn Theatre, 42nd Street Moon, and Portola Valley Theatre Conservatory. He is the Manager of Youth and Family Programs at Montalvo Arts Center and an adjunct professor at his alma mater, San Jose State University. Vinh received an MFA in Musical Theatre from San Diego State University. Membership includes: the Stage Directors & Choreographers Society (SDC), Equity Membership Candidate Program (EMC), and the Musical Theatre Educators' Alliance (MTEA).