I have been a professional performer and maker since the early 1970s. Born in Southern, California (1951), I began performing in plays and musicals by the age of 10. After pursuing an acting career, I decided to attend the University of Utah, modern dance department to develop physical work. With colleagues, I founded the Salt Lake City Mime Troupe. We toured in the United States and eventually Europe. (1973-76).
In 1976, I left the United States to live in Amsterdam, Netherlands, touring throughout Europe as a maker and performer in my solo productions, in duet with Carlos Traffic and with improvisation musicians Ernst Reijseger (cello), Tristan Honsinger (cello), Sean Bergen (sax), Michael Moore (sax) among others. I changed my name to Katie Duck while touring my first solo in Europe “The Duck Play” in 1976. I have used this as my artistic identity ever since
Florence, Italy
In 1979, I moved to Italy where I studied and performed for different directors and performance artists. I formed the company GROUPO in 1980, creating one-hour productions based on storylines and soundtracks. We toured throughout Europe and the United Kingdom with the productions Rutles, The Orange Man, Brown eye Green eye, Wild Card, and Mind the gap. For my GROUPO productions, I created sound scores that played on reel-to-reel tapes alongside the performance. The performances were designed to work alongside my soundtracks with a hidden cue system.
Alongside the tours with GROUPO, I participated in improvisation collaborations with dance artists Julyen Hamilton, Steve Paxton, Kirstie Simpson (among others) and music artists Tristan Honsinger, Derek Bailey, Han Bennik (among others). I began to conduct my research, combining my acting, dance and music backgrounds, towards a Multidisciplinary practice, and question the position improvisation plays in the process of creating compositions. GROUPO / Reunion 2024 Florence Italy GROUPO
Devon, UK
In 1986 I accepted a senior lecturer position at Dartington College of Arts in Devon, UK. I taught for the theatre department (cultural studies), leading the choreography unit. I had been touring for 12 years, and could now continue my research using the facilities, archive and international music department that was available within the college grounds.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
In 1992 I accepted a post at the University of Amsterdam, Netherlands, dance department SNDO. I taught movement research, improvisation, composition, advised student performances and dissertations. With this contract, I was able to return to touring, in Europe, South America, North America, and Asia. I made solos, and group collaborations with musicians whom I had worked with since the 70’s, and new colleagues in the field of electronic music, dance and text. I placed the multidisciplinary research I conducted at Dartington College of Arts into a practice.
MAGPIE was formed in Amsterdam in 1995, combining performance artists, dancers, musicians and text artists. We did monthly performances in Amsterdam, and then extended the work, touring in international festivals, exposing the work to a broad range of cultures and contexts. The collective held tight rehearsal processes that were performed loose (improvised). MAGPIE
After MAGPIE folded, and I retired from my University of Amsterdam contract, I began to create independent, multidisciplinary solos and duets, combining movement, text, soundtracks, live acoustic music, object, film and light. I have toured in Asia, the USA, South America, North America, England, Scandinavia, and Europe. and New Zealand with my workshop and performance projects. (Independent multidisciplinary compositions).
I collaborated with (USA) dance artists, and internet communication expert Justin Morrison. He/she introduced me to internet communications and the oncoming digital age. This collaboration with Justin intensified my work with electronic music scores, soundtrack editing, film editing, and live-stream performances. As well, Justin introduced me to the advantages of social media as an accessible tool for promotion and communications generally.
Through out my career, I have been invited to join diverse artists projects in and/or improvisation set ups. Indulging in collaborations for over 40 years, I have become more picky. I select these situations according to the artists involved and the context the format offers.
Ongoing programs Amsterdam
The Improvisation Summer Course Amsterdam 2009 – 2024. is an invitation for artists to gather in Amsterdam and participate in a Course Program towards real-time, multidisciplinary compositions. The work that evolves out of the Course Program is placed in front of a live public every Friday and Saturday evening. We accept participants from all backgrounds, ages, nationalities, orientations, and experiences who have a curiosity for multidisciplinary collaboration in the context of real-time performance. Summer Course Amsterdam
I initiated in 1999, the Xmas Multidisciplinary Workshop. I hope that artists choose to spend their holiday period with a moment of work as the New Year changes over each year. Xmas Workshop
During the pandemic, from 2020 to 2022, I taught Body Body Body classes and Multidisciplinary workshops in my Attic studio located in my home. I also initiated a series of performances that gathered artists to view and create experimental art projects in a domestic setting. I continue to do classes, tutorials and workshops in my Attic Studio. Body Body Body Classes / Multidisciplinary Workshops
I survived the pandemic. I learned how to work at home. I am traveling through time warps, past and present, as a witness and participant. Life is messy. Creativity is messy. My life and my work are blissfully messy.
Attic Studio Amsterdam
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