“I am loathe to be so honest because I fear it punts me into a horrid stereotype of a haggard old theatre dame coveting youthful spirit.”
WHO: Katie Kopajtic
WHAT: “Lesbian actor Kate struggles to create a self-tape audition as Virginia Woolf, revealing that she is frozen in the midst of running away from her healthy relationship. The self-tape shifts from an actor’s grind to an incantation as Kate accidentally summons the ghost of Virginia Woolf, whose bold approach to life helps her to uncover the root of her fear. From the storefront of a mystic shop to the rabbit hole of #WitchTok, this comedic romp explores Woolf’s biography, queer relationship anxiety, and archetypes of the modern witch.”
WHERE: Greenside @ Infirmary Street – Ivy Studio (Venue 236)
WHEN: 19:35 (50 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
This is my second festival! I was here for a full run in 2017 with my solo show “Confessions of a Personal Trainer,” which gave me the first time high feeling of performing to a streak of full houses, and a first time low feeling of a terrible audience review. *That* guy felt like he was just “watching one of his mates complain about work.” Sorry, sir!
That first fringe experience reinstated my faith in theatre. Being in the U.S. can absolutely kill your soul as an artist, because it often feels like no one outside of theatre circles attends live theatre. At the fringe, seeing what I would describe (lovingly) as “regular people” show up at weird venues to see weird people do their weird art was literally life giving.
I was 28, I am 34 now. I am different. COVID changed us all, right? The rose colored glasses of “Maybe XYZ will happen and my career will go to the moon!” are off my face and across the room. I’m excited to be back because 1. my wife is running tech for me and that is sexy for us, and 2. I love my show. My palms are sweating with nervous excitement to showcase my American interpretation of Virginia Woolf for a U.K. audience.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
Oh, sure! Nothing in life is guaranteed so you have to try! Really, I am loathe to be so honest because I fear it punts me into a horrid stereotype of a haggard old theatre dame coveting youthful spirit, but truly: it was the most freeing thing to let go of the entitled feeling that: since I am making this art, something must come out of it to further my career along. No. All your life as an artist, the best and most repeated wisdom is: trust the process. But I don’t think that happens right away. I feel like I’m finally starting to not only trust the process, but also cherish it.
Also, when life gets you down, grow some seeds in your house and plant them in some dirt. Nothing gives me more joy than to see a new squash sprout out from my garden.
Tell us about your show.
Modern Witches! I started writing this in 2019 after my older sister, a literal Doctor of Philosophy and Woolf scholar, told me I had a Woolfian profile and that I “should write a show about her.” Ever the obedient one, here I am. Modern Witches has taken on the roles of co-production, commissioned work and fringe show in Nashville, Baltimore, New York state and New York City. Ed Fringe will be its Global Premiere.
Our company Tres Brujas Productions – which is me and my wife – came together prior to the fringe in 2017. TBP is a lot of producing my work, but we also support and produce theatre from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
No after plans yet.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
Hey so I am super biased, ok? Super biased. GO SEE QUEER THEATRE. Women kissing women. Enbys kissing enbys. t4t. Drag shows. Beards on beards. Shows about being trans. Some shows that have come across my radar around these matters are “Cowboys and Lesbians” “A Shark Ate My Penis,” “Burnt Lavender,” and “Vita and Virginia.”
Other things: I am very excited to catch the action in Bob’s Blundabus, and whatever Lucy Hopkins is doing this year. Lucy is an INSANELY TALENTED CLOWN. Summerhall is a dope venue and their programming just tends to be great, so I’ll be there as well. Finally, Janey Godley Janey Godley Janey Godley. Her show time unfortunately runs up against mine but I pray we’ll be able to find a way to squeeze the “Not Dead Yet” show on an off day.
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