Katie Johantgen Discusses the #ManInAMusical Series & Creating on Your Own Time!
I am so excited to introduce you to Katie Johantgen. Katie, along with her better half James Penca, have been breaking the "theatre internet" for the past six months with their amazing #ManInAMusical series.
I am pretty sure you have come across these videos, but if you haven't, I am more than happy to share with you one of my favorite ones so far which is "How to be rich if you're in a musical" because when I was in a production of Merrily We Roll Along we seriously did this EXACT blocking.
Katie has also performed Off-Broadway in The Office Musical Parody (Angela), Friends the Musical Parody (Phoebe), and is an alumnus of Temple University (B.A. in Theatre). The thing I love most about Katie's series is that it's so spot on and acts as a constant reminder that artists need to be able to laugh at themselves. In these crazy times, her series is such a breath of fresh air. Katie is such a talent that truly excels at any project that is put in front of her. I am so happy to have the chance to interview this multi-talented artist!
How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a stage performer?
I don't remember exactly how old I was, but I was definitely very young because I don't remember ever wanting to be anything else!
Are there any mentors in your life who truly helped you become the artist you are today?
Yes, a ton!! It's corny, but I absolutely have to shout out my parents. Not only are they very funny themselves, but they always did their best to expose me to the arts and help me with my education in any way that they could.
I've had some incredible teachers along the way especially during my time at Temple University. Shout out to Peter Reynolds, Brandon McSchaffrey, Forrest McClendon, and Maggie Anderson. Since moving to New York, I owe SO MUCH to my friends and comedy writers extraordinaire, Bob and Tobly McSmith.
We are living in some unprecedented times in the world. For all artists (especially actors), it is definitely a time of uncertainty. What has your everyday routine been like during Quarantine, and what are some things you do to keep your spirits up?
I wouldn't say I have a typical routine per se just because everything has been changing so much week to week, but I'm very lucky to be living back with my parents for the time being and have been spending a lot of time in nature to keep my spirits up! My fiance James and I even learned how to golf which is something I NEVER thought I would be into and yet here we are lol. I've been trying to stay creative by making videos and writing when I can.
Your Man in a Musical Series is EVERYTHING! What initially inspired the series?
Thank you!! It all started because James and I had this running joke of making fun of that little jump that leading men tend to do before they run offstage. We had just gotten back from a trip to New Orleans to see our dear friend Talia Suskauer star as Elphaba in Wicked, and of course, that's how Fiyero exited the stage every time, so the bit was fresh in our brains, and I decided to film James doing it and just put it up on Twitter to see if anyone else would think it was funny, and the rest is history!
Are there any shows or projects that you have done in your career that will always stick out and be near and dear to your heart?
Definitely my first Off-Broadway show, Friends the Musical Parody. Not only was it my first big show in New York, but it was such a fun show to be a part of, and I just absolutely adored everyone in the cast, crew, and creative team. I also LOVE the musical Urinetown! It's my favorite musical, and I've been in it three times! Hoping for a fourth time soon! I never get sick of it.
What advice would you give any aspiring artists in these challenging times?
I would say be kind to yourself. As artists, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to constantly be creating and working on furthering our careers, and I know I personally find myself feeling stuck a lot right now and comparing myself to others.
If you're feeling really creative right now and making a lot of things in quarantine, that's awesome! But if you're not, that's okay too!!! Take the time to rest and recharge, you need it and deserve it.
To learn more about Katie make sure you visit her official website at - https://www.katiejohantgen.com