- Jewish Plot (dir. Sarah Hughes, asst dir/dramaturg Katie Devin Orenstein) named 8th in the 10 Best Shows of 2025 by Vulture
- Out of Order (dir. Skylar Fox, asst dir. Katie Devin Orenstein) included in the 16 Best Theatre Moments of 2025 by the New York Times
BEST OF 2025
RECENT DIRECTING AND WRITING WORK
You Can't Take It With You
Emma Hart invited me to direct her grandfather's Pulitzer-winning masterpiece for a two-week run in May of 2025. I was deeply moved to be included in the Hart family legacy as well as the Kaufman estate, and I have never laughed harder during a rehearsal process. I was thrilled to combine my love for chaotic slapstick and screwball comedy with historical materialism, to bring the Depression-era moral bite of Hart and Kaufman's script back to the forefront. Downtown legends Catherine Lloyd Burns (Search Party) and Colleen Werthmann (Mr Burns: A Post-Electric Play) starred as Mrs Sycamore and Mrs Kirby, and Emma Hart played Essie, as part of an ensemble of 15.
Press coverage - interview with Emma and myself
Written by George S. Kaufman & Moss Hart, Dir. Katie Devin Orenstein, produced by Andy Petrilak, Emma Hart, and Cassidy Gyetvan, SM: Alyssa Krinsky, Costumes/HMU: Matthew Solomon, Props/set: Kristen Chiu, Lights: Henry Mont, Sound: Robbie Abel, Special effects: Isaac Feldman, Fight choreo: Ren Kelly.Pretty Filthy
Michael Friedman and Bess Wohl’s fearless musical comedy about the adult film industry in the San Fernando Valley was originally commissioned and produced by The Civilians in 2015. Very special thanks to Jodie Mack, Steve Cosson, Derek Zasky, and Marion Friedman Young for allowing us to rediscover the show for its second production ever. Read our press coverage in The Darmouth student newspaper, and, to my shock and delight, the Dartmouth admissions office.
Music & Lyrics by Michael Friedman, book by Bess Wohl, Dir. Katie Devin Orenstein, produced by Alessa Lewis, choreo: Gia Kim & Katie Devin Orenstein, MD: Daniel Lin, SM: Matt Gallagher, Costumes/HMU: Lila Hovey, Props/set: Daisha Thornton, Lights: Yifei Liu, Sound: Robbie Abel, Video: Isaac Feldman/Bernardo de Nardi/Polly Chesnokova, Intimacy choreo: Chelsea Pace, ASM: Emma Lavaune. Executive produced by Michael Ganio.The Hall of Human Origins
A rom com about a natural history museum, a drama about the end of the world. I spent my middle and high school years as an afterschool student, research assistant, and later intern at a natural history museum, and during lockdown I turned those experiences into The Hall of Human Origins. Winner, 2021 Frost Prize & reading @ Dartmouth College, revised version at The Tank January 2024.
Writ/Dir. Katie Devin Orenstein, produced by Victoria Provost, SM: Quinn Rose, tech: Paul Purvine.The Frightening Door
World premiere at The Tank Darkfest August 2023, revised and remounted at the Kraine October 2023. In this experimental verite work by my frequent collaborator Victoria Provost, the playwright/narrator puts onstage the entire final year of text exchanges with her friend who tragically passed away at just 22 years old. What could she have done differently? What was she missing? And how come this hilarious, caring young man is just gone?
Writ. Victoria Provost, Dir. Katie Devin Orenstein, SM: Quinn Rose, tech @ Kraine Paul Purvine.Jo and Laurie
World premiere coming-of-age comedy by the absolutely incredible James Holod Kennedy: “A contemporary take on a beloved classic: Jo March and Theodore “Laurie” Laurence III are best friends in Concord, MA. And they’re both gay. The familiar love between these two best friends is expanded into an exploration of queer friendship.” (Quick soapbox: James’ gift for writing for adolescent/young adult voices is unmatched and you should produce this delightful two-hander at your high school or college; it also contains excellent scenes and monologues for classes and auditions!)
Writ. James Holod Kennedy, Dir. Katie Devin Orenstein, produced by and starring Isaiah V. Brown and Emma Ginsberg, Costumes/SM: Lila Hovey, Props/Sets/Sound: Piper Hill, Video: Isaac Feldman/Vania Ding.ABOUT KATIE
I am a:
- Director
- Writer
- Producer
- Jack-of-all-trades (calling cues, taping the floors, answering the phones, coordinating schedules, anything you need)
I have had the privilege of working at Berkshire Playwrights Lab, New York Theatre Workshop (virtual season), The Drama League, The MUNY, Guggenheim Works & Process, and in film/TV development and production at Irony Point. I graduated from Dartmouth College in 2023 with a degree in Film, Theater, and Middle Eastern Studies. I currently work as the assistant to the producer on Purlie Victorious, Our Town, and Maybe Happy Ending on Broadway.
BOOKS/MOVIES/ART THAT BLEW MY MIND RECENTLY
- How to Hide an Empire by Daniel Immerwahr, Love Junkie by Robert Plunket, the WWE/Vince McMahon biography Ringmaster by my incredible friend Josie Riesman
- Die Hard (1988), Interview With the Vampire (2022-24), Saving Face (2004), Mrs. Davis (2023), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), “Where the Butterflies Go in the Rain” (Raveena, 2024), “Night Time, My Time” (Sky Ferreira, 2013), the Follies and Dreamgirls concerts, Rilo Kiley, My Neighbour Totoro at the Barbican, the Recent Cutbacks comedy troupe
- “Everyone is Beautiful and No One is Horny” by RS Benedict, “Hawk Tuah and the Zynternet” by Max Read, “Tavi & I” by Allegra Rosenberg, Gordon Cox’s Jacques international theater newsletter, anything and everything fandom studies.