Meet Kaitlin Huwe | Artist, Producer, Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaitlin Huwe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaitlin, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Easiest answer, is that I was born this way. Singing before I was talking, dancing before I was walking. I really think it was just due in my lifetime. The previous generations of my family struggled so much, and made so many personal sacrifices so that I could have access to the education and training that I’ve had as an artist and a human. I take this privilege very seriously and don’t want to squander it. I’m also just wired this way. Words weave themselves into songs, and life events weave themselves into stories. My brain is constantly looking for the funny thing, the beautiful thing, the truthful thing. And then the joy that flows from taking the chaos of life and distilling it into one lyric, one story, or one character is my favorite way to participate in our culture.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m most excited about a film I’m in that hits theaters this fall. It’s called “The Nowhere Inn” and I get to play opposite St. Vincent and Carrie Brownstein. This film means so much to me because, after hitting the pavement for ten years in LA, I finally got to do all of my favorite things in one piece of art: act, improvise, and sing.

For so long I felt like I had to narrow myself down into one medium so that I could make progress professionally. In any given day I’d teach yoga and meditation, go on auditions, rehearse music, film something, drop into a class, and rehearse for a play. I’d start at 5am and hit the pillow at midnight, and rinse and repeat. I feel so at home being the big mess of an artist that I am. An actor and a singer who knows how to seriously goof around.

None of this is easy. Don’t let anyone fool you. The hours you have to put in to hone your craft, balancing all the survival jobs that allow for flexibility, staying grounded while dreaming big.. it takes heart and grit. I’m very grateful to have hit a point that I’m very proud of my work so far, and grateful to have landed on a little milestone that offers me a moment to breathe, and that shines a light on the pathway forward.

Biggest advice I can offer is find your people. The folks who love you for who you are, not what credits you have. The folks who will bring you soup when you’re sick, and then turn around and be your hype girl at a fancy film premiere. Nurture your friendships, take care of the people around you. Any creative process operates in cycles… sometimes you’re shining bright, and sometimes you’re lost in the darkness. Pay attention to the folks who lift you up, and inspire you. Surround yourself with those people and be good to them. Life is so much more than getting fame and attention. For me, I just wanna enjoy the people I sit with at the dinner table. That’s my measure of success.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First off I’d take them down to Santa Monica to skate or bike on the bike path. This is a quick 15 minute trip from my house, and the ocean has been my best friend this pandemic, I love it so much down there. Maybe we’d even go in for an ocean dunk at the end of our ride!

Coffee every morning at Coffee Tomo.

A full day at Olympic Spa– my favorite place ever. We’d soak, steam, sauna, get scrubs, eat lunch, and take naps on the jade floor.

My favorite hike through Rustic Canyon. (the stairs up through the canyon are everything to me)

For a fun night out, I’d definitely love to go to a show at the Greek Theatre. Picnic and everything.

A visit to the Getty because it’s epic, and I don’t go enough.

A drive up the coast to El Matador State Beach.

Dinner at Napa Valley Grille, and then show at The Geffen Playhouse and/or The Road Theatre (my home base).

Udon at Marugame Udon on Sawtelle in Japan Town. So good! Never had better noodles in my life.

Oh, and I’d definitely cook for you and we’d drink wine at my house for a few nights… cus I love to cook, and our backyard is a sanctuary.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mentor, Monica Payne. First she was my TA at UCLA’s Theatre Program, then my teacher, then my director, then my co-collaborator and co-producer, and ultimately she’s a friend.

I was having a really hard time adjusting to the rigor and pressure of art school and she brought sacred space into the theatre and helped me meld my great loves of yoga, meditation, and movement with the creative process.

Over the years we’ve found a really nice flow of friendship, and creative partnership. We’ve made so much work together; from music videos, to live theatre. Continuing to train and sharpen my craft with her is truly the greatest gift.

I’m a member of her theatre company now, Theatre Lumina, and very excited about what’s next.

Website: www.kaitlinhuwe.com and www.wonderwellcreative.com

Instagram: @kaitlin_huwe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaitlin.huwe/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClgiDH1HtMBzGZOsaQWVAUg

Image Credits
photos are by Marielle Chua and Melodee Solomon