Former Kean student puts on cabaret in New York

By: Jaidon Harris-Morales | Published October 12, 2023

Recent Kean graduate Katie Kawko produced a Cabaret of Daisy Jones and the Sixat the iconic 54 Below in New York City this past August.

Upon leaving Kean, Kawko, who graduated in the spring, had the opportunity to produce a show at 54 Below, a venue she frequented during her college years. After reading Jenkins Reid’s Daisy Jones and The Six, as well as watching the Amazon Prime series of the same name, Kawko was inspired to produce a cabaret based on the book. 

“It was really a full circle moment,” Kawko said when asked how it felt to work at 54 Below. “I have been going there for years, so to be in that space professionally, just very full circle.” 

While Kawko has theater experience as an actor and crew member, this was her first foray into the producer’s chair. Her time working with the Kean Theatre Conservatory, as well as her time at Premiere Stages helped her in taking on this new role confidently.

 “Most of my job was making sure everything went smoothly,” Kawko said, “which I’m already comfortable with because I thankfully had opportunities at Kean where I was able to be in a leadership role or work closely with people in leadership roles. Those hands-on experiences were a great help in putting on my own production.” 

Kawko’s experience includes Kean Theatre Conservatory’s Animal Farm, student produced shows such as the annual directors showcase and working closely with John Wooten, the Executive Director of Theatre Management & Programing at Kean stage and Premiere Stages. This experience also allowed her to make useful connections, which she utilized to gain the opportunity of putting on this show. 

“You never know who you’re going to meet that can help you in the future,” Kawko said. “I pretty much introduce myself to everyone I can. Networking is a major part of this industry and it’s actually how I was able to put on this production in the first place.”

It was, in fact, a connection made in the Theatre Conservatory that opened the door for this opportunity. Afterfalling in love with Reid’s book, Kawko reached out to a friend who had previously put on a production at 54 Below to start the process of producing her own show. 

The show, which took place August 29, included several Kean alumni as well as a current Kean student. For 13 actors, including alumnus Melody Stubbs, the show also served as their New York Debut.

Stubbs said her debut “Felt amazing. Of course it has always been a dream of mine to perform in New York City, and this was a great project to be a part of as my debut!” 

Like Kawko, Stubbs’ time with the Kean Theatre Conservatory was helpful in working in a professional setting. Though transitioning to a New York stage came with its own set of challenges, Stubbs’ personal relationship with Kawko made the process easier.

“It’s always such a great experience to create alongside some amazing friends,” Stubbs said. “It also made the whole show that much more exciting because it was not only my debut in the city, but Katie’s as well.” 

The show being not only Kawko’s debut as a producer, but also her New York Debut made the experience all the more rewarding, but it did come with added stress and pressure. Problems are to be expected in any production, but the team Kawko chose for this production allowed these problems to be handled gracefully. Even obstacles such as a performer dropping out less than a week prior to the show were not enough to discourage anyone on the cast or crew.

“No show ever goes exactly as planned,” Kawko said, “but all I could dowas try my hardest and place my faith in the talented people I chose to go on this journey with me.” 

Stubbs’ also acknowledged that, while her preexisting friendship with Kawko was helpful in creating a comfortable environment early on, it was Kawko’s professionalism along with her love and respect for the craft that allowed the show to be as successful as it was. Throughout it all, Kawko reminded herself that she is doing what she loves, despite how daunting the experience became at times.

“As long as you’re doing something you love,” Kawko said “everything else should come easily”

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