Katie Trzaska-Miller has been a theater performer, dancer, choreographer, director, producer, stage manager, and theater educator for the last 20 years. She’s travelled to 35 states, and holds a B.S. in political science, communications, and theater studies from St. Norbert College in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Being a woman with an eclectic background and a desire to bring positive change, it makes sense that Midland Center for the Arts sought her out from Traverse City to become their first ever Manager of Community Engagement. We had a chance to chat with her about her vibrant vision for enhancing connection in the community through her role and how she is enjoying her new town.
Q: Can you tell us a little bit more about your position with the Center and what your role entails?
A: In the last two years, the Midland Center for the Arts has shifted not only its internal structure, but also its programming model to include a much wider variety of performances and educational opportunities. I was brought in as Manager of Community Engagement to fill the next piece of the puzzle – determining how best to serve communities and constituents that we haven’t focused on or feel the Center isn’t accessible to them due to various barriers. I am currently focused on building external relationships and learning how our community interacts with the Center, as well as building better collaboration internally and developing mission-driven programming opportunities.
For instance, we are launching a brand new initiative in September, the Perspectives Series, which brings together community partners to open doors to conversation on a variety of topics through education, storytelling, and creativity. This iteration of the series focuses on LGBTQ history and issues, and will culminate in an incredible performance of
Considering Matthew Shepard, a beautiful, multi-layered, multi-media choral piece performed by Conspirare, one of the top choirs in the United States on September 16.
The piece was written in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Matthew Shepard murder in 1998, and it opened the door for us to partner with local advocacy and resource groups to present an event series that provides education, conversation, and context twenty years after this tragedy.
The Center will be hosting an Understanding LGBTQ Communities session with Equality Michigan, a screening of the new teen film
Love, Simon at Bullock Creek Auditorium, a screening of the powerful documentary
Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine with a panel discussion, and a night of storytelling similar to NPR’s The Moth in our Saints and Sinners Lounge.
As a regional anchor institution, we must think critically about the quality of and meaning behind our interactions with those we serve, fostering diversity and inclusion in our programming, and what the community really needs in terms of arts, culture, history, and science. It will take time, but through efforts like the Perspectives Series, we hope to make the Center more welcoming, more open, and a place where community collaboration through creativity is the norm, not the exception.
Q: What has been your favorite performance with Midland Center for the Arts this year?
A: Center Stage Theatre’s production of
Peter and the Starcatcher was definitely my favorite. I’m a theater practitioner, and I was delighted to see a script I love so much on stage here, as it’s still new in the theater canon and a risk for a company to produce. After that,
L.A. Theaterworks: The Mountaintop, about Martin Luther King Jr.’s last night on earth, was especially poignant, entertaining, and brilliantly acted.
Q: Where were you living and working before this role brought you to Midland?
A: I spent the last four years as the Artist Relations Manager for Interlochen Center for the Arts in Traverse City, MI, working with artists of all names and genres as they taught and performed at Interlochen. Before that, I was the Executive Director of the 100 year-old Howmet Playhouse in Whitehall, MI, where I produced professional summer stock theater, concerts, community events, and helmed a youth theater education program.
Q: What is one thing you hope to bring to this role with your previous experience?
A: I really hope to bring the conviction to the forefront in all the work the Center does that the arts are a place for all people, that the arts are as essential to the survival of our souls, just as much as food, clothing and shelter are to our bodies.
My political science degree drives me toward studies and data, and time after time it’s been proven that the arts are good for self-esteem, for physical and mental health, for test scores, for scientists, for athletes, for kids, for seniors, etc. I’ve seen it in action in my various roles and personal artistic endeavors, and it drives me to break down barriers to access and make the arts as inclusive as possible. The chance to be given life by an artistic experience isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.
Q: Anything that specifically attracted you to this role/region?
A: When I got the call recruiting me for the position and started to explore the idea, I was impressed with how dedicated the region is to reinventing itself and trying new things. The reinvigoration of Downtown Midland, the varied new regional initiatives and the collaboration between area groups are all ingredients for success. Midland and the Great Lakes Bay Region are on an upward trajectory, and it’s exciting to be a part of that growth as an individual community member and representative of the Midland Center for the Arts.
Q: Did anything surprise you about Midland?
A: Midland is beautiful! After growing up in Muskegon on Lake Michigan and living in Traverse City, things looked a little bleak when my husband and I moved here at the end of January. I have been pleasantly surprised at all the green spaces and how many nature and outdoor activities there are to enjoy. I’m itching to find ways to integrate the natural resources we have here into our arts programming.
Q: When you're not at work, what's your favorite escape in town, or out?
A: My favorite spot in town right now is Live Oak Coffeehouse – it’s so comfortable and a great creative space – but I’m still exploring!
To keep up to date with Katie’s events including the Perspective Series, visit Midland Center for the Arts’
website.