Creating a Character

Let’s Learn About Acting!

From prehistoric hunters reenacting their expeditions, to ancient Egyptians performing sacred songs as part of religious ceremonies, to actors performing the works of William Shakespeare in Elizabethan England, the discipline of acting as an art form has evolved over the centuries. Join UMS artist facilitator Katherine Banks McBride on a creative journey guiding you to transform yourself into any character you can imagine!

To learn more about acting and the evolution of this art form, explore the accompanying slides and worksheets.

About the Artist

Katherine Banks McBride is a Midwest-based actor and educator. Her work as an actor includes theatre, film, commercials, industrials, and voiceovers. Film/TV credits include No Sudden Move (HBO Max, dir. Stephen Soderbergh) and Mindhunter (Netflix, dir. David Fincher). In Chicago, Katherine appeared in the Jeff Award-winning Men Should Weep with Griffin Theatre and in the sold-out production of She Kills Monsters at the Steppenwolf Garage. Here in Michigan, Katherine performed in Every Brilliant Thing (Tipping Point Theatre, Wilde Award) and Silent Sky (Williamston Theatre). Other work includes commercials for Volkswagen, Perkins, Michigan Lottery, and LasVegas.com, industrials for United Airlines, Sears, and Stericycle, and voiceovers for Jewel-Osco, Sittercity.com, and First Midwest Bank.

Katherine currently teaches drama at Greenhills School in Ann Arbor. As a teaching artist, Katherine uses drama and dance to help students of all ages express themselves with clarity and purpose. In Michigan, she has worked with University Musical Society, EMU Bright Futures, Young Actors Guild, Cranbrook Theatre School, and Motor City Youth Theatre. In Chicago, she taught at Bubbles Academy, the Viola Project, Pulse Beat Music, Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, and St. Therese Chinese Catholic School.

She is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan and also trained at the School at Steppenwolf and Columbia College’s Teaching Artist Development Studio.