MACT

2023 Fliehr Award Recipient

Barrett

Kathy Ray of rural Barrett is one of the founders and long-standing members of the Prairie Wind Players, which began in 1979 and renovated Roosevelt Hall as their home. She has acted, directed, codirected, costumed, served on the board and been involved in all the other duties that make a community theatre (one that does dinner theatre) successful.

She has directed at a number of area theatres including A Center for the Arts in Fergus Falls and the Andria Theatre (Alexandria Area Arts Association); in Alexandria she’s also been involved in their radio theatre with her husband Tim (who received a Fliehr Award in 2009).

Her past directing credits include the university of Minnesota-Morris.She formed her own company, Playing on Purpose Productions, to produce her own plays and to work with seniors and students developing scenes and scripts addressing their issues and histories, and developing interest in doing theatre as a real vocational or avocational opportunity.

In 2001 she created “Coya Come Back” about the first woman elected to Congress from Minnesota, performing it at the Minnesota History Center and many other venues.Kathy managed Central Square for many years, writing grants, attracting performers and audience members.Two of her issue oriented plays were published.

She has used her knowledge of seeing a wide range of theatre in the Twin Cities and around Minnesota to develop her skills as a director and as an adjudicator at festivals in several states