I’m a theatre director, based in London. I’m interested in directing short plays and running workshops for professional acting companies. Contact me

Recent productions

In October I staged my devised black comedy Chopped Onion at the Battersea Arts Centre. In November I directed Lucky Stars, a ‘bloody farce’ by Charles Inge, for Little Pieces of Gold at the Etcetera Theatre and extracts from Advertising Space and Stuffed by Ross Howard at the Brockley Jack Studio Theatre. I also directed a workshop on Talk to Frank, a new play by Steven Barry, at The Others. In December I directed Marathon, a short comedy by Karen Morash, at the Cockpit Theatre and Militant, a new play about civil war by Pittsburgh-based playwright Eoin Carney, at the Lost Theatre. I’ve recently run workshops/playreadings of Hedda Gabler (Ibsen) and The Seagull (Chekov) for actors at Transmission Workshop and for Charm Offensive. I regularly run drama workshops for children’s organisations in Islington.

Recommendations, ‘Lucky Stars’ (Etcetera Theatre)

“Working with Kati was a blast! I couldn’t help but find her unshakable enthusiasm infectious and her seemingly unlimited amounts of creativity and spontaneity simply inspiring. Kati is a director who somehow manages to always find that perfect balance between fun-loving creativity and efficient working methods. I enjoyed our collaboration tremendously, learned loads in the process and cannot wait to be working with her again.”

Lars Van Riesen, actor, 08.11.2011

“As a new writer I was bowled over by Kati’s ability to realise my script on stage. From sensitive reading of the script, thoughtful casting and imaginative directing she turned a technically challenging play into a wonderful piece of theatre.  I wish that every writer could be as lucky as me.”

Charles Inge, playwright, 10.11.2011

“I think your piece was brilliantly realised, it really made an impact. Thanks for all your hard work.”

Suzette Coon, founder of ‘Little Pieces of Gold’ 08.11.2011

Actor’s recommendation, ‘Chopped Onion’ (Battersea Arts Centre)

“I was directed by Kati Rynne on the Chopped Onion piece for the Freshly Scratched Night at Battersea Arts Centre.  I found she created a safe, nurturing environment for us during rehearsals which allowed us to be creative and really explore our emotions.  She is a very thoughtful director and tailors the way she works to getting the best out of each individual actor.  I found that Kati was open to many different techniques and ways of working which made the process varied and fun.  The focus with which she works is motivating and made me want to push myself as an actor.  Kati inspired us to create lots of material when devising but was also very good at refining it to make a short piece.  She was excellent at organising rehearsals and structuring them so we got the best out of the time we had.  Kati is a very unique, diligent, and creative director that I thoroughly enjoyed working with!”

Avita Jay, actor, 23.10.2011

Reference for recent ‘Hedda Gabler’ and ‘The Seagull’ workshops

“Kati Rynne has lead workshops as part of The Acting Gymnasium for my production company Charm Offensive. It is my opinion that Kati is an outstanding workshop leader and theatre practitioner. This is a view shared with my associates in the company and the participants in the workshops. Most recently Kati devised and led a three hour workshop on Hedda Gabler by Ibsen that she delivered to a group of 22 actors of varied age and experience levels. She created a highly original and engaging movement and text based workshop which was stimulating, imaginative and brought out the best in this diverse group. The participants echoed my view that Kati provided an outstanding creative experience.
Kati’s manner with both my colleagues and the participants is highly professional yet warm, friendly and encouraging. She is obviously a highly imaginative and original creative artist and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to fellow theatre makers.”

Gavin McAlinden, 05.09.2011

My theatre work
I currently direct new work on the London Fringe but have also directed a number of classical and Twentieth Century plays, including works by Shakespeare, Sophocles and Beckett at the Drama Barn York. A qualified secondary school teacher, I have directed a lot of youth theatre, including adaptations of Shakespeare, melodramas and devised mime-based productions. I’ve won awards for choreography (dance) and have choreographed aerialists at the Circus Space.  I’ve shadowed the artistic directors at York Theatre Royal and at the Trestle Theatre Company.  I trained at the École Philippe Gaulier and the École de Mime Corporel Dramatique and recently studied ‘Devising Theatre’ with Peader Kirk. I have spent several summers performing at the Edinburgh Fringe and the London Fringe (Sadler’s Wells, Bridewell Theatre, Wilton’s Music Hall).

Read full credits

Here are a few of the plays and musicals that I’ve acted in, directed, choreographed for or assistant-produced.

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