Katie Jo has been with Spotlight since early 2016, and describes the studio as the “dream she never knew she had and never knew she needed”. Katie Jo’s journey into the arts started at the young age of 8, and she has been performing ever since. She worked at “Village Theater” in Issaquah, Washington, where she trained with some of Seattle’s top theatre professionals. Katie Jo attended Bellevue College and studied performing arts and pop vocal performance before moving to California in 2013 to participate in the Disney College Program, and she has continued working at the company ever since. Her main role with the Walt Disney Company has been in the entertainment department within Imagination Campus, where she can be found leading, developing, and training several educational in-park experiences and performances.
In the wild year that was 2020, Katie Jo found a new dream of theatrical direction, and she had the honor to solo direct her first show with Yorba Linda Spotlight, “13”. Now, Katie Jo finds the utmost joy in balancing not just her job at Disney, but Spotlight’s studio management, teaching private lessons, and directing main stage shows. Not only that, she has had the honor and pleasure to produce local school’s musical productions. However, Katie Jo’s favorite role in the studio is being a mentor to the many students that come through our doors. Her main focus while overseeing operations at the studio is ensuring every performer feels welcomed, worthy, and enough, no matter their skill level. Katie Jo is excited to tackle whatever comes her way, because she knows she has found an incredible family here at the studio!