Katherine is an actor, writer, director & producer for film and theatre with 30 years experience. Born in a box, Katherine grew up at the renowned KING’S HEAD THEATRE in London. She started performing at an early age and spent many years as a jobbing actor, garnering outstanding reviews in film, TV & theatre.
In 2009, Katherine emigrated to New Zealand and branched out into writing, directing and producing for stage and screen. Katherine co-founded production company SEA STAR CREATIONS with her Mum, Stephanie Lightsmith in 2012 and was director of the company alongside Stephanie until 2016. During this time, Katherine wrote, directed and produced short film GOBLIN MARKET, which screened at the Cinematic Arts Fest in Los Angeles and won Best Cinematography Award at The Auckland International Film Festival in 2016.
In 2019, Katherine became ensconced in a new theatre family: becoming appointed as Associate Producer for THE CONCH, New Zealand’s leading Pacific theatre company. She produced the development season of brave new work A BOY CALLED PIANO at BATS Theatre, Wellington in 2019, and she is proud to be continuing in this role – producing a documentary film about the making of A BOY CALLED PIANO for The Conch in 2020.
Katherine’s solo show GIRL IN THE LOFT, exploring her childhood in the theatre premiered at BATS Theatre, Wellington in November, 2020.
Katherine lives in Wellington with her husband, their 3 children and handsome hound.