Colleen Coleman-

Gustavus Alumni Katie Bradley ‘03 will play the role of Gomo in the world premiere of a play by Michi Barall, entitled Drawing Lessons, at the Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis. Drawing Lessons will run from Oct. 8th to Nov. 10th at CTC’s Cargill Stage. The show features a graphic novelist’s imagination at work, showing the main character’s experiences incorporating her Korean heritage into her American lifestyle as she deals with friendships, art, school, and much more.

“Drawing Lessons shows CTC at its best,” CTC Artistic Director Rick Dildine said. Drawing Lessons is a co-commission with the New York City-based Ma-Yi Theater Company and in collaboration with Minneapolis comic artist Blue Delliquanti. “CTC has a history of creating new work, and this original piece incorporates the craft of the comic artist into the theatrical process in a dynamic way,” said Dildine.

Bradley is active in the Minneapolis theater scene, having worked with CTC previously, as well as performing at the Guthrie Theater, Ten Thousand Things Theatre, and currently serves as the interim artistic director at Theater Mu. Outside of Minnesota, Bradley has also appeared onstage at many other regional theaters throughout the country, as well as being a member of the Actor’s Equity Association.

During her time at Gustavus, Bradley was a History major with honors, involved in the Theatre Department, singing in the Chapel Choir and the Gustavus Choir, as well as a member of Delta Phi Omega. When looking back at her time at Gustavus, Bradley states that any theatrical experience, whether it be in classes or onstage in a show helped to prepare her as a performer. “I loved the time around Christmas in Christ Chapel and the excitement of performing, as well as preparing for finals and vacation,” Bradley said.

“The best way to begin and even continue your craft is to have a space where you can try things out and fail and succeed,” Bradley said. Life experiences and observations of people other than herself also helped Bradley, stating “our whole work as actors is about building empathy and crafting a character who is not entirely like yourself.” Bradley believes whether or not she knew it at the time, her whole college career helped her career post-grad.

Throughout her career, Bradley states she is constantly learning on the job. “When I’m not ‘onstage’ at rehearsal, I watch how other actors work and what their processes are and parse out what I’d like to adopt into my own process,” Bradley said. To Gusties looking to pursue a similar career, Bradley states that the Twin Cities is a solid artistic hub in the country as its a great place to work as an actor and make a living doing it, citing various workshops available in the area. “I also want to let folks know that if they have any further questions about the industry in the Twin Cities or the industry on a national scale, as I’ve worked in several regional theaters outside of MN, please feel free to reach out,” Bradley said.

Minneapolis’ Children’s Theatre Company will showcase Gustavus alumni Katie Bradley ‘03 as Gomo in the world premiere of the play Drawing Lessons by Michi Barall. Drawing Lessons will run from Oct. 8th through Nov. 10th on CTC’s Cargill Stage. The play will tell the story of the main character Kate’s imagination at work as a graphic novelist, and show her experiences incorporating her Korean heritage into her life in America, dealing with art, friendships, school, and much more.