PASSIONATE PROFESSIONALS

The Queens World Film Festival, New York Women in Film and Television, Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, The Gaia Zine and Epicenter – NY proudly announce PASSION in ACTION, a day-long mentoring event to bring high school and college students together with Passionate Professionals in the Arts, Sciences, Finance, Women’s Sports, Nonprofit Sectors and More.

The morning session of this day long event will concentrate on developing personal professionalism related to the arts including developing a mission statement, compiling ideas on how to promote your work and creating your back pocket networking tool kit. The afternoon is devoted to a round robin speed networking event so that all attendees have the opportunity to spend 30 minutes with 3 different Passionate Professionals.

The morning will concentrate on developing personal professionalism related to the arts with the afternoon devoted to a round robin networking event so that all attendees, have the opportunity to spend 30 minutes with 3 different Passionate Professionals.

Thank you to Katha Cato for being one of our Passionate Professionals!

Katha Cato

Executive Director, Queens World Film Festival / ChipAway Productions

Katha earned a BA from California Polytechnic University in Pomona, an MFA from the University of Oregon and is a graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Business Executive Education Program. In the 80’s, she moved to New York with her theatre company ‘For Play Improvised Theatre’ and pioneered the Improvisational Herald format (the long form) into the NY Improv Comedy scene. Katha won a MAC Award (Manhattan Association of Cabarets) for Best Comedy, two Backstage Magazine Bistro Awards for Best Director and Best Comedy and NY Post’s Bill Ervolino named her one of the year’s ‘Most Exciting’ Improvisers. For many years she worked at Henry Street Settlement serving first as the Arts-in-Education Coordinator and then Director of After-School and Camp Services where she was responsible for six after-school sites and three camps. During her tenure she was recognized by NY State Education for exemplary After-School Programming, and she received the 2015 PASEsetter Award for her years of leadership in the field. Katha has vast experience in producing engaging events, exciting, innovative programming and has spent over thirty five years developing youth and bringing people together via theatre arts, film, and video.

Question & Answer

What is a personal character trait that you have leaned on in your career?

I am relentless.

What is your best advice for young creatives who are thinking about college?

If you start it, finish it. After you finish, no-one cares about your grades, we only want to know if you can acquire the skills to finish the series of related tasks it takes to finish it.

What is your best advice for young creatives who are beginning their careers?

We don’t choose to become artists, art chooses us. So do your art, study your art, share your art, volunteer to help others on their art, go see art, follow every lead and be thankful that you embraced that choice. Many do not.