Correction: In the fourth paragraph, Katz-Harwood stated she wanted to teach concert dance and musical theater — not concert band and musical theater — as was initially written.

Professor Rebecca Katz-Harwood is the new University of Minnesota Duluth Theatre Department head. Born and raised in Duluth, Katz-Harwood has always been deeply connected to UMD. Because her mother was a professor in the communications department, Katz-Harwood was exposed to the campus at a young age.

“There was a kind of familiarity to it. That helped make me more open to the idea that I might do that someday,” Katz-Harwood said.

Despite this, she didn’t immediately gravitate toward the profession. 

“I ended up after a very long and winding path deciding that I wanted to teach at the college level, and, that I wanted to do both concert dance and musical theater,” Katz-Harwood said.

Growing up with a love for musical theater and dance, it is no surprise that she found herself here. 

“When I was looking for a job, that’s what this department was looking for. It was really right place, right time,” she said. 

Katz-Harwood hopes to continue to rebound from COVID-19, strengthen connections to returning audience members  and continue to celebrate live theater. She also hopes to take advantage of "the opportunity to do some new things that are now available to us.” 

 When asked if she had any advice for young artists, Katz-Harwood encouraged them to refrain from comparing themselves to others.

“Nobody else can be the artist that you have the potential to be. There’s so much comparison and it can be so easy to have that as a tool to put yourself down. As much as you can, let go of comparison and be patient with yourself, while also holding yourself accountable.”

Not only is she the new head of the department, but Katz-Harwood is also directing “The Importance of Being Earnest" here at UMD. Directing a production while still being a new department head is a lot for one person but Katz-Harwood finds a nice balance between the two. 

“[It’s] a lovely reminder of what the work is for – it's for the students,” she said. 

More information about the upcoming theater season at UMD is available on the CAHSS website.