For Katie Locascio, community theater is more than a creative outlet—it’s a passion, a second home, and a powerful way to make a difference in the lives of others.
For the past ten years, Katie has volunteered her time and talents at local community theaters. While she shines on stage as a performer, her contributions extend far beyond the spotlight. Katie helps build sets, create props, and design costumes and makeup looks, pouring hours of dedication into every production. Some weeks, she spends nearly 40 hours at the theater, and to her, the time flies by.
What drives her? A deep belief in the transformative power of the arts. “The theater provides a safe space for people of all different backgrounds, abilities, and talents to express themselves,” she says. It’s not just about the entertainment—it’s about delivering powerful life messages and fostering inclusion, creativity, and connection.
One of Katie’s proudest accomplishments is her involvement in launching an American Sign Language-inclusive theater program. These productions feature Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, hearing, and ASL-using performers, creating an inclusive space both onstage and for audience members. It’s a project that reflects her core values of accessibility, community, and collaboration.
Katie credits her coworkers and her company with helping bring this vision to life. From sponsoring local theaters to showing up in the audience, volunteering backstage and onstage, or donating to the cause, their support has meant everything. That encouragement has even helped her land her first professional theater role this May—proof that dedication and community go hand in hand. At the heart of it all are the friendships, the shared moments, and the magic of turning countless hours of work into a performance that can make someone laugh, cry, or think a little differently. For Katie, that’s the real reward.
