Spotlight: Kathryn McKinney earns roles in local theaters
Four days after moving to Blaine from South Carolina last year before she entered fourth grade, Kathryn McKinney earned an important role in “The Sound of Music” after she saw a notice for tryouts.
Kathryn, now a 10-year-old fifth-grader at Blaine Elementary, won the role of Brigitta, the child who has the most lines, and participated in 15 performances at Lynden’s Claire vg Thomas Theater.
In the same week the play ended, Kathryn took up the key children’s role of Susan in “Miracle on 34th Street,” a musical at Bellingham Theatre Guild based on the classic 1947 film, in which Natalie Wood portrayed Susan.
I love how you get to step out of yourself and play someone totally different.
Kathryn McKinney
Blaine actressIt’s no wonder Kathryn says her ambition is “to become an actress in movies and television.”
Kathryn, who began participating on stage during third grade in Columbia, S.C., is intrigued by much more than acting, however. She participates in her school’s leadership program and is a voracious reader, especially of science fiction and fantasy, and has already read all three books in the “Hunger Games” series.
She also is a standout gymnast at Carolyn Saletto’s Ferndale-based Gym Star Sports Center, and plays soccer.
“In gymnastics, my favorite event is the bars,” the articulate, athletic youngster said.
Kathryn, who has three older brothers and a younger sister, is the daughter of Jim and Laura McKinney. Jim retired from the U.S. Army as a lieutenant colonel after 32 years of service, including five tours in battle zones. Laura is a former U.S. foreign service officer.
“She’s 10 years old and has lived in 10 different places,” her father said.
Kathryn won’t forget her first role — as a talking flower in “Alice in Wonderland” at a children’s theater in Columbia. She also enjoyed playing Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz,” with sister Erin, now 7, playing Dorothy’s dog Toto.
“I love how you get to step out of yourself and play someone totally different,” she said.
Last spring, she played a male spider in the fantasy “Ananzi.” This year, she hopes to portray Oliver in the famed play and also wants to perform in a play about Peter Pan and Captain Hook.
SPOTLIGHT
Spotlight shines on children 12 or younger who excel in arts or education and shares how their parents helped them achieve success.
To suggest a child to profile, send their name and a brief description of their accomplishments, along with a parent’s name and contact information, to newsroom@bellinghamherald.com.
This story was originally published December 1, 2015 at 4:01 PM with the headline "Spotlight: Kathryn McKinney earns roles in local theaters."