Meet Katrina Stroup | President & Co-Founder, Marietta Theatre Company

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katrina Stroup and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katrina, what do you want people to remember about you?
Leaving a legacy transcends personal remembrance. Rather, I aspire to sculpt a sustainable future for Marietta Theatre Company (MTC), leaving an indelible mark on the theatrical landscape of Marietta and Greater Atlanta.

My vision is to be remembered for creating numerous jobs in the arts (and personally getting to know hundreds of artists and technicians in the process), enchanting audiences for generations to come, and advocating for the arts, with a specific focus on creating a safe, inclusive, and celebratory space for the LGBTQIA+ community.

With theatre as a conduit, I hope to personify the notion that success comes in many forms and fashions and to remind others of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s idea of ‘Success’ (my favorite poem):
“To laugh often and much;
to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty;
to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.”

If my legacy echoes even a fraction of these principles, that will be enough.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Marietta Theatre Company (MTC) was founded as a 501(c)3 public charity in 2017 with a mission of providing artistic opportunities and community enrichment to Marietta and the Greater Atlanta area through quality theatrical productions. MTC encourages and embraces participation from cast, crew, volunteers, and patrons of diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, gender identities, abilities, and ages. In surveys deployed to better understand the cast and crew experience at MTC, we boast consistent A grades and are proud to be known as a safe, celebratory space, particularly among the LGBTQIA+ community. As the saying goes: “ Y’all means all!”

As numerous theatres shuttered due to the lasting effects of COVID-19, MTC’s board of directors remained staunchly devoted to the continuation of our mission and to applying pandemic-precipitated learnings to the long-term benefit of our organization. In the spirit of “the show must go on,” MTC adopted drastic shifts to its re-opening strategy, including the bold move to a new and improved performance venue starting in 2024, performing in-residence at Marietta’s Theatre in the Square. In doing so, resources remain within the theatrical community, bolstering one another to solidify the continuation of our craft.

In this storied venue, MTC produces four, Broadway-style musical hits each year, employing over 100 artists and entertaining up to 8,000 audience members each season. The 5-Star ratings on Google and Facebook don’t lie! MTC’s cast, crew, audience, and donor experience is one-of-a-kind, and we invite you to be a part of MTC’s growing legacy by joining us for auditions, enjoying our road-trip inspired season of shows from the audience, or considering a tax-deductible donation or corporate sponsorship to help ensure MTC’s sustainability and to keep the arts alive and thriving.

Remaining shows in MTC’s 2024 Season include:
-HANDS ON A HARDBODY, June 13 – 23: 10 contestants. 4 days. 1 truck. Inspired by a true story and infused with a fresh, roots-rock vibe with music by Trey Anastasio of Phish, HANDS ON A HARDBODY is a hilarious, heartfelt, hard-fought contest where only one winner will drive away with the American dream.
-BONNIE & CLYDE, THE MUSICAL, Aug. 15 – 24: An electrifying story of love, adventure, and crime follows two small-town nobodies’ journey to becoming America’s most renowned folk heroes in this thrilling, Tony-nominated musical. The sultry score combines blues, gospel, and rockabilly to blow you away.
-JIMMY BUFFETT’S ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE, Nov. 7 – 16: Kick off your flip-flops and set your clock to island time. We’re heading on an escape to a tropical paradise where love and laughter abound and hit songs by the king Parrott Head himself beckon you to put your toes in the water and get those fins up!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh, the places we’ll go on a whirlwind trip to my favorite places in Atlanta!

ITP
-Spend the day strolling the Beltline, stopping for drinks, snacks, photo opps, and shopping along the way
-Somewhere over the rainbow crosswalk, start your journey at Piedmont Park (kick off the walk
with a sushi roll and cocktail while people-watching on Park Tavern’s patio OR if your appetite
is alive, go to Woody’s Cheesesteaks instead)
-Shop and taste your way through Ponce City Market (don’t miss the meringues at Saint
Germaine)
-Look for Tiny Doors and pose for pics with murals and street art
-Divert off the path to check out Inman Park and refresh yourself at Beetlecat (seafood and
cocktails with a kitschy cruise vibe) or Barcelona (tapas and wine on a patio known for
celebrity-spotting)
-Peruse the vintage pop-ups
-Walk through Krog Street Market (highly recommend tasting the dumplings at Gu’s)
-Backtrack to the patio at Rathbun’s Steak for a decadent dinner (you’ll need a reservation) or,
for a casual bite, sink your teeth into Nina & Rafi’s Detroit-style pizza (mmm)
-Keep the spirit(s) alive with a visit or special event at Oakland Cemetery
-Catch a Broadway show at or take a tour of the Fox Theatre (insider tip: most tours give your superstar-self the chance to stand on the stage); splurge for Marquis Club access to lounge in style
-Elevate your experience with a drink on the Clermont Hotel rooftop before heading over to the famed Clermont Lounge for a night you’ll never forget
-Dance your blues away at Northside Tavern
-Dine your way through Atlanta’s first Michelin Guide recommendations, and add Bovino After Dark to your list. Favorites include: Mujo, Miller Union, Talat Market, Fishmonger, and brunch at The General Muir

OTP
-Have a merry day on the historic Marietta Square
-Explore eclectic shops
-Get a cocktail to-go at Marietta Proper’s walkup window (ask for MTC-inspired specials made
by their head mixologist)
-Stock your freezer or make a friend’s day with take-aways from The Butcher on Whitlock,
Paul’s Pot Pies, and Pie Bar
-Grab an al fresco bite at Kiosko (you’ll feel like you’re at a café in Europe)
-Recharge with a brew from Cool Beans
-Swing through the Marietta Welcome Center and Marietta History Center gift shop for a
tasteful, locally made souvenir to commemorate your day
-Catch a show at Marietta Theatre Company (MTC)—HANDS ON A HARDBODY opens June 13,
2024, featuring the music of Trey Anastasio of Phish
-Make a late-night visit to Marietta Diner (send my love to Papa George and don’t deny yourself
dessert)

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
In reflecting on those who I owe gratitude, I could list an army! I will resist that urge and, instead, dedicate this feature and give a big shout out to Zac Phelps.

From directorial finesse to flare for choreography, acting, singing, and dancing, Zac wears many hats with style, literally and figuratively. In addition to his knack for fine menswear, Zac has an appreciation for obscure whisky, a heart for rescue dogs, staunch devotion to his superstar partner, Angela, and, above all is a loyal and inspiring friend who I am lucky to have worked alongside for more than a decade.

Zac—thank you for casting me, believing in me as an artist and as a leader, tricking people into thinking I’m a trained dancer, laughing often, creating the artistic vision of Marietta Theatre Company (MTC) with the other co-founders and me, guiding the production of some of MTC’s very best shows (including kicking off our first season at Marietta’s Theatre in the Square in serious style with HONEYMOON IN VEGAS), stepping in on a whim more than once, letting me be Dolly Parton, while embodying her advice to: “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”

I would also like to recognize Marietta Theatre Company, the cornerstone of my journey into nonprofit and artistic leadership that exceeds my wildest dreams.

Website: www.mariettatheatre.com

Instagram: @mariettatheatre

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/marietta-theatre-company/

Facebook: @MariettaTheatreCompany

Other: TikTok: @MariettaTheatreCo

Image Credits
Cloud 8 Photography