Hacking the Hustle: The Business of Being an Artist in Chicago

Katie Galetti (she/her) started her artistic career as an opera singer, having completed her M.M. in Voice and Opera at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory. After singing for many years, she shifted into roles “behind the table” in an effort to challenge long-held traditions and patterns of abuse in the arts. In this capacity, she grew through multiple positions at Chicago theatres, landing in the artistic team at Writers Theatre in Glencoe in 2018 where she currently serves as the Artistic Producer at Casting Director. In her tenure there, she has developed a reputation in the actor community for her warmth, equitable practices, and deeply empathetic sensibilities. She has cast and produced over 3 dozen productions and developed multiple world and regional premieres. Some of her favorite projects include ATHENA, directed by Jess Fisch, ONCE, directed and choreographed by Katie Spelman, and Translations, directed by Braden Abraham. Outside of WT, she also serves as the Casting Consultant at Remy Bumppo Theatre in Chicago, and is a freelance casting director regionally. In addition to her casting work, Katie produces events of multiple genres, including opera, digital, experiential, and film, with a focus on immersive and experimental storytelling methods. She’s worked with Little Cinema Digital, 13Exp, and HERE Arts & Culture Consulting as a producer, is the founder and Artistic Director of Janus Concert Series, and is a founding member of the Chicago Opera Collective. Outside of theater, Katie is a volunteer with Resilience Chicago as a Sexual Assault Crisis Advocate. More information can be found at www.katiegaletti.com.