Sage Studio Student Spotlight: Meet Katie Witt!

Raue Center for the Arts developed the Sage Studio education program in 2012 to offer lessons and training in singing, acting, and musical theater for children ages 7-18. One exemplary student, Katie Witt, loves her classes at Sage Studio; she’s been taking them for six years. Now 14, and a rising high school freshman, Witt is taking what she’s learned, and will continue to learn, to develop a career as a film actor.

“I had taken some singing classes when I was about five years old, but I didn’t develop a passion for singing or acting until I started taking classes at Sage Studio,” said Witt. “When I turned eight, I started taking monologue, musical theater performance, and vocal classes, which helped me develop confidence, learn new techniques, and be challenged artistically. Students can choose between acting, singing, or dancing, or you can do all three. While the theater world can sometimes be cutthroat, Sage Studio and Raue Center aren’t like that at all. It’s a very supportive and encouraging community, and it’s a lot of fun.”

Witt has performed in Raue Center’s holiday staple A Christmas Carol, playing Scrooge’s little sister one year and acting as a narrator in 2019 (the last live performance). “It’s so fun to hang out with everyone, to have dress rehearsals, and to work side-by-side with professional actors,” she said. “I also love my vocal coach, Amanda Batcher, and working with so many terrific instructors at Sage Studio like Chris Davis and Amanda Flahive.”

Witt is a huge fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, and her other hobbies include baking and playing both the piano and the trumpet. Once the Covid crisis has passed, she plans to pursue a career in surgery where she can work with Doctors Without Borders and travel the world helping others.

Raue Center for the Arts

26 N. Williams St.

Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Box Office: 815-356-9212

www.rauecenter.org