Kat worked as Associate Producer for Seabright Productions from 2005 to 2012 managing and line producing a number of touring productions including Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, Hardeep Singh Kohli and Potted Potter and Potted Panto. She has also worked with the company on their Festival Highlights programme at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2005 to 2012. As a freelance producer she has mainly worked with new writing at venues including Kings Head Theatre, Park Theatre, Theatre 503 and at 59e59 Theater, New York.

In 2012 she was awarded a Stage One Bursary to establish her own production company Kat Portman Smith Productions.

At the moment you are…
I am preparing to take seven shows up to Edinburgh in less than two week’s time. This will be my ninth year of working at Edinburgh, six years as Associate Producer for Seabright Productions and this is my third year with my own company. This year is a mixture of producing, co-producing and general managing shows with a fantastic mix of straight theatre, comedy, musicals and cabaret and it is shaping up to be a fun month with great people. After Edinburgh I have …And This is My Friend Mr Laurel, a one person show heading out on a 28 date small scale tour which will hopefully culminate in a London run.

What does Stage One mean to you?
Stage One gave me the support I needed to strike out on my own. The Stage One Bursary (which I received in 2012) gave me the financial help at the beginning but more importantly a large network of support from experienced producers and a great group of peers to share those niggling questions with.

Last show you saw and loved?
I’ve been seeing lots of previews of my shows which of course I love but the last show I saw that I wasn’t involved in was Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage at the Arcola. I thought the decision to have all cast members playing the lead character was great and made the performance a shared story.

What are you looking forward to in 2015?
Lots! Looking forward to Edinburgh of course and showcasing these shows and trying to find future lives for them. The Mr Laurel tour and developing a couple of larger projects that I have been working on.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
“Give it a go” and “Stop being silly mummy” – my daughter.

To find out more about Kat Portman Smith Productions click HERE
To find out more information on Love Birds click HERE.
CURRENTLY APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE STAGE ONE BURSARY SCHEME, CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION.