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Hannah Kato is an actor based in Chicago, IL. After falling in love with theatre at 11 years old, Kato dedicated herself to honing her craft wherever she could. With credits like Come From Away (National Tour), Inherit The Wind (Goodman Theatre) and A Christmas Carol (Drury Lane Theatre), her hard work has paid off! Kato’s performances are driven not only by a love for theatre, but to also help Asian-American girls see a place for themselves in this industry. When she’s not onstage, Kato contributes to Downstage Arts in Chicago, providing accessible arts training and mentorship for high schoolers pursuing a career in the arts. Her advice to young artists? “Work hard and be kind… there is always something new to learn.” Read on to learn more about Hannah Kato and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Name: Hannah Kato
Heritage: Japanese-American
Hometown: Carpentersville, IL
Current City: Chicago, IL
Current project:Auditioning actor! :)
What are some of your favorite credits/projects:
Come From Away (National Tour), Inherit The Wind (Goodman Theatre) and A Christmas Carol (Drury Lane Theatre).
Any advice for young people getting into the arts?
Work hard and be kind. Talent can get you places, but it can only take you so far. Being kind and having a strong work ethic makes you truly unstoppable. Also staying humble – there is always something new to learn.
How did you get your start?
I was bitten by the acting bug when I was eleven and started doing musical theatre with a local theatre group – I haven’t looked back since! My family moved overseas when I was in high school which was a wild, life-changing experience. I went to an international school, and we didn’t have a huge theatre program there. I knew I wanted to be an actor at that point, so I ate up whatever theatre and acting experience I could. There weren’t a lot of acting resources there, but I had a fantastic drama teacher who challenged me and invested so much in me.
Do you have any favorite moments in your career that you’d like to share?
Come From Away was definitely a pinch-me moment in my career. Touring is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. There are lows to touring life, but also so many highs. One of the highlights was the week our tour spent in LA. We were performing at the iconic Pantages Theatre, which is on the Hollywood Walk of fame. Kenny Ortega apparently came to see the show that week, so I can die happy. But the absolute highlight of my career was when I met a couple little girls at the stage door who were Asian-American. It was a pretty emotional moment, as I saw myself in them. Like many Asian performers, I grew up not seeing myself represented onstage or screen. A huge reason I wanted to become a performer was so Asian-American girls could see themselves onstage and think, “If she can do it, I can too.” That was such a full circle moment, and the biggest gift to my heart and artistic dreams.
What have you found is the biggest challenge in your career?
Finding balance, for sure. For a period in my artistic journey, I hit the gas hard. I would spend hours in practice rooms, turn down social plans, and miss family events, all so I could focus on theatre and my career. I definitely see how that played a part in me getting to where I am today, but I do regret some of that. I’ve really learned over the past couple years how important it is to prioritize rest and life outside of theatre. Being a well-rounded human makes you a better, more interesting artist. Get a hobby, go get that drink with a friend, walk around an art museum and explore other forms of art. Knowing when it’s time to press-in and focus on the work, and when it’s time to back off and take a break is a mindset I’m really trying to steep myself in.
Do you have any organizations or non profits you work with you’d like to highlight?
I do some work with an organization called Downstage Arts in Chicago. They provide free, accessible arts training for high school students of all backgrounds who want to pursue a career in the arts. It’s run by some of the most incredible people I know – cannot recommend them enough for high schoolers who are looking for resources to help with pre-college auditions, mentorship, and training!
Did you always want to be in the arts or did you have another path before you got here?
When I was seven, I wanted to be a pop star and a veterinarian. That was the goal until one day, a kid in my second-grade class broke his arm and brought in his x-ray for show and tell. I passed out. Needless to say, that was the day I knew I wasn’t going to have a career in the medical field.
Do you have any other “special skills?”
I have a 5-star rating on uber. Truly one of my proudest accomplishments.
If you come from parents who aren’t in the arts, what parts of them do you see in yourself that have helped you succeed in the business?
My parents are two of the most incredible people I know, and I truly am so lucky to be able to
say that. My parents both work in jobs and fields where they are loving, serving, and empowering people. They both have the most incredible hearts. At its core, the arts are all about empathy and reaching people where they’re at. I hope that I’m able to emulate even half of the love that my parents have for the people they work with, and that I’m able to be an extension of that love and empathy in the spaces I work in over the span of my career.
If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self?
It’s really going to all be okay. Don’t waste time worrying about what’s coming next or how you’re going to get there.
What inspires you?
Traveling. Impressionist art. Really good movies.
To find out more on Hannah Kato, please visit her at:
Website: www.hannahkato.com
Instagram: @hannah.kato
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