Meet Kate Foreman

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

Hi Kate, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in Columbia, Tennessee, and graduated from Columbia State Community College and Middle Tennessee State University with degrees in theatre. I lived in Nashville for over ten years, and during that time I worked as a freelance artist with many theatre companies, including Actors Bridge Ensemble, American Negro Playwright Theatre, Blackbird Theater, Nashville Shakespeare Festival, and Peoples Branch Theatre.

I eventually joined the staff of Tennessee Repertory Theatre (now Nashville Repertory Theatre) where I held a few positions including Company Coordinator, a job that supported both the business department and all areas of production. I left that job in 2012 when my husband and I relocated south of Columbia to be closer to our families and his work. When we were preparing to move, I asked a colleague for advice on theatre opportunities in the South-Central Tennessee region where he also grew up. He suggested that the area could benefit from a professional theatre company and that I might be the person to start such a company. The idea stuck with me – I couldn’t seem to shake it, so in 2016, Watershed Public Theatre was born.

I founded Watershed Public Theatre with the goals of inspiring the magic of theatre throughout this region and supporting the growth of a vibrant local arts community. Since presenting our first play in December 2016 for an audience of a couple hundred, we have steadily grown through the years and now engage over 3,000 adults and youth annually through our productions, education, and outreach programs. We are working to expand our reach and continue attracting new artists, volunteers, and supporters every day.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There are constant challenges. Like most nonprofit arts organizations, ticket sales only account for about 30% of our income; we rely on grants, business sponsors, and strategic fundraising for the majority of our income. There are few work opportunities for artists in our region, so we make every effort to devote the majority of our budget to artist pay.

We rely on the generosity of local schools and businesses that donate rehearsal and meeting space to keep our overhead low. We’ve experienced a lot of exciting growth in the last couple of years, but that comes with a lot of growing pains as well, such as running out of storage space (for sets, costumes, etc.), and no single location for artists to gather/work.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Throughout my years in theatre, I’ve worked in a variety of areas: costumes, props, sets, run crews, technical coordination, administration, marketing, business – almost everything other than performance. Despite all that, I never fully stepped into the role of “Producer” until I founded Watershed Public Theatre (WPT), and as it turns out that is my ultimate happy place. I’ve worked with many producers over the years, and my approach mostly is modeled after the positive encounters I experienced during that time.

I also rely on the input of the artists who work with us and the community that supports us. A key reason I’m drawn to theatre is because it is a collaborative art, and I can’t lose sight of that. I mean, if the artists and patrons aren’t engaged, what’s the point? In 2017, we hosted our first school groups at some WPT performances. As the elementary students were exiting the auditorium after the show, one girl exclaimed to me as she walked by, “Now I want to be an actor!” To hear those words and see the spark in her eyes – I’ll never forget it.

That was the first time I knew we had truly inspired someone, but it has happened so many times since. That’s my proudest moment, and I’m so fortunate that I get to experience it periodically – from the new actor excited to step on the WPT stage for the first time, to the elderly patron who thanks us profusely after every performance she attends – that feeling never fades or gets old. It’s what makes all the fundraising and hard work worth it.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Anyone who has started a nonprofit has taken a risk. It’s a leap of faith to put your mission out there and ask others to support it as well.

I took a major risk starting a nonprofit with very little capital, and I was one of the lucky ones who convinced a few others to support the idea from the beginning. For me, once others began to commit to the mission, the risk felt much less daunting. I’m so glad I took that leap of faith because now I am part of this exciting theatre community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://watershedpublictheatre.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/watershedtheatre
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watershedtheatre
• Youtube: @watershedpublictheatre7586

Image Credits
Quantagus Mcfall, Kate Foreman, and Robin Hood & Friends Cast