Every day is opening night.

Natasha Katz

 

Season after season, Natasha Katz has been stunning audiences with some of the most revolutionary lighting design on Broadway. Working in every medium of performance art, she feels the essence of her pieces, and uses the materials at her disposal (spotlights and birdies galore) to create theatrical magic.Natasha was first nominated for a Tony Award in 1994 when she designed Beauty and the Beast. Her first win came in 2000 for Aida; her second in 2007 for The Coast of Utopia; her third in 2012 for Once and her fourth in 2014 for The Glass Menagerie. With Natasha's recent design – the brilliant, righteous lighting for School of Rock – the Musical, we may be seeing a fifth in her future! This week we are thrilled to have Natasha Katz On the Couch!

What do you consider to be your best asset? 
Loyalty.

What is your favorite drink?
Green tea.

What is your favorite food? 
Pizza!!

What is your favorite condiment?
Mustard. I used to eat mustard sandwiches as a child. It’s family lore that I fell asleep as a child with a mustard sandwich half way to my mouth.

What is your current obsession? 
I’m obsessed with “The Good Wife”! I love watching all the great NY Theatre actors on the show.

If you could give up one of your vices, what would it be?
I don’t have any vices.

What is the one professional accomplishment you long for most? 
I’ve always wanted to design the lighting for a huge rock concert at Madison Square Garden.

What is the one thing you waste too much money on?
The gym. I never seem to have time to go as much as I would like to.

What is the one activity you waste too much time doing? 
Tidying up the apartment. Although, it’s a great way to design a show in my head while I’m vacuuming.

What do you consider to be the single greatest threat to your health? 
I’m always worried that something will happen to my eyes or my ears and I won’t be able to work anymore.

What is the single best trait you inherited or learned from your parents?  
My father, who was a psychiatrist, taught me that things are not always as they appear to be and because of that, we must not judge people. My mother gave me a love of the theatre.

What is the single worst trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
Not to judge people.

What in the world most thrills you? 
When everyone on a show is completely in sync and the creativity is boundless.

What current trend in popular culture most irritates you?
Donald Trump.

What was the single most embarrassing moment you've ever experienced on the job? 

I’m embarrassed every time I have to sing over the headset or to the director to describe the lighting moment in a musical.

What is your favorite place in the world? 
New York City.

What is the most important trait you seek in a romantic partner? 
Good lips.

Do you prefer the company of dogs or cats? 
Dogs. I never understood cats.

What would have to happen to make today the best day of your life? 

My children and I would go to the theatre together.

What is your personal motto? 
I was born to do this.