Check out Kate Hawkes’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Hawkes.

Originally from Australia, Kate holds degrees in Education, Counseling, and an MFA in Directing. Kate is a freelance theatre professional who has worked professionally in all aspects of theatre for over 40 years – including acting, directing, producing, writing, management and arts in healthcare. Prior to moving to Sedona, she taught in the theatre department of a liberal arts college for 18 years, founded an arts in healthcare company focusing on storytelling and performance, and was Artistic Associate at a professional theatre company in Oregon where she also developed a successful outreach program.

Playwright credits include Sky…Diamonds (in which she played the lead), about a family dealing with an Alzheimer Diagnosis, LopLop & the Queen about Max Ernst and Dorothea Tanning and numerous children’s plays.

Since arriving in Arizona, Kate has taught at Prescott College and offers arts and writing courses at the VA. Kate is co-founder/Producing Artistic Director of Red Earth Theatre (2013) with whom she has created several original shows including one about recycling, a journey through Shakespeare and an adaption of the long poem ‘The Wild Party’ performed with live music.

She is also a sometime trail-runner and avid horsewoman, offering Equine Conversation sessions where individuals work with one of her horses leading to self-discovery and empowerment.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am a theatre arts person and also a horse person. Through the theatre as a director/actor/writer/producer and educator, I engage in all those areas, with produced plays and creating ongoing public performances. I have also worked in the ‘arts in healthcare’ field and offer opportunities for individuals and groups to experience the arts in inspiring/promoting wellness and empowerment.

I am the author of the book ‘Personal Magic – Conscious Empowerment Through Creativity and Spirit,’ in which I offer activities and contexts for including the arts in your daily life and finding your personal power. I believe in taking responsibility for your own outcomes, including seeking assistance as needed, and as an educator/coach see my role as sharing the skills and tools necessary for real personal empowerment with another and then staying out of their way.

The foundational belief for my work is that the art of storytelling -as the teller, the performer, the audience – any way you participate, is fundamental to our humanity and ultimately well-being as a species in this planet. When you find your voice, and when you can hear the voices of others without judgment or fear, you have the opening to find your strength and the resilience to navigate our current times.

In addition to facilitating writing-based arts activities, I also offer ‘Equine Wisdom – Conversation With A Horse’. These 1-1 sessions are not riding lessons, but through on the groundwork with the horse, uncover your communication patterns, address any fear issues, and lead you to take full responsibility for the interaction. People often connect deeply and with visceral intensity with their silent, hidden self, and find a courage and strength in that new awareness.

How can artists connect with other artists?
I think it depends on what kind of art. When you are doing something as collaborative as theatre, I don’t think it is lonely. In fact, sometimes what at we need is time alone – not sleeping but being.

As a writer, I love the alone time. I have a small group with whom I share what I write, but I don’t need a lot of company to create. I do gather a group of actors to read new plays as I develop them, poems often end up being read at some event, and stories I just send to a few cohorts whom I trust to be both kind and honest.

As a horse person, well, horses are company, and when people come to spend time with them, we are a group!

In general, to connect with other artists go to see other people’s work, find who in your area is doing something a bit like what you do, or invite someone quite different to come and co-create with you. Think outside the collaborative box! (For example one of the shows Red Earth did was performed at/in the Recycling Center here! I was asked to write and perform a piece as a ‘spoken word portrait’ for an art show.)

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My work is very diverse! With regard live theatre I co-founded and currently manage a small nonprofit theatre company (Red Earth Theatre) in Sedona, AZ. https://redearththeatre.org/.

Red Earth Theatre is a nonprofit and can be supported by any donation you care to make, attending shows, finding us on FB and sharing, liking and joining events.

You can find my other work at my website www.wellnesswithkate.com

I offer in-person sessions and can also work with you by phone and online if you are out of town. I am also available to travel to travel to your community if you wish for a weekend retreat using the arts and storytelling. While I have a basic format, these are flexible, and I like to work with you/a group to find out what you want – your focus, your goals – for this workshop and will adapt it to those parameters.

Regarding the horse conversation, while I can’t bring my horse to you, I can come and work with you and your horse if that seems appropriate.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wellnesswithkate.com
• Phone: 5033513331
• Email: kate@wellnesswithkate.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wellnesswithkate

Image Credit:
Larry Kane photographer

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