As the new year begins, Puget Soundworks has an exciting announcement! Since our founder announced her intent to step down as Executive Director last summer, the Board of Directors has been hard at work running a search process for the next leader of our chorus. After a thorough search interviewing some deeply talented candidates, Puget Soundworks is thrilled to announce that Kate Huisentruit will be joining our staff as Executive Director.

Kate has over twenty years experience working in both Seattle and New York as a television producer. She is a former president of Seattle’s only LBGTQIA+ Theater Company, Fantastic.Z, where she was instrumental in their annual fundraising “Gayla.” In 2018, she was a producer of Art Zone with Nancy Guppy on Seattle Channel and awarded a Regional Emmy Award.

From Christina Wilson, Board President, “Kate’s collective experience in fundraising, marketing, and leadership will add tremendous value to the organization. We are also excited about her experience in theater and television, and look forward to the new ideas she will bring to our artistic operations.”

Kate explains that, “I was drawn especially to this role because it aligns well with my skill set, and also because Puget Soundworks’ values align with mine. My wife and I are working hard to raise 2 kids to be inclusive and kind and to follow their own artistic pursuits. Our world has become so complex, not just for parents and children, but for all of us. Having Puget Soundworks as a beacon for kindness, acceptance, social justice, and glorious music is the gift we need now. Community is more important than ever.”

Here’s a little more information to help you get to know Kate:

Kate Huisentruit is delighted to join Puget Soundworks as their new Executive Director. She is a lifelong performer and producer. Collaboration and creation are two of her very favorite activities. Her most recent role as producer of Art Zone with Nancy Guppy on Seattle Channel gave her a front-row seat to the development and showcasing of many Puget Sound artists from all disciplines. And it earned her a Regional Emmy Award in 2018.

Kate has worked extensively in Seattle and New York City with over twenty years as a television producer. In addition to Art Zone with Nancy Guppy, her favorite producing gigs have been New Day NW, The Rachael Ray Show, ISAAC for Style Network, Cash Cab, and Party Planner with David Tutera for Discovery Channel. Kate holds a BFA in Acting from Cornish College of the Arts. Her love of Acting and Directing has taken her into many stories and on many adventures. In pre-Covid years Kate sat as president of the board for Seattle’s only LGBTQ+ Theater Company, Fantastic.Z. She was instrumental in their annual fundraising Gayla and played on-stage as an actor, and off-stage as a Director in many of their productions. Prior to her love of theater, she had her heart set on being a “rock star” (this starting at age 3 following idols like Joan Jett, Debbie Harry, Madonna, and Cyndi Lauper). She was always in the chorus at school trying to work towards this dream and learn as much about music as possible. Her (amateur) rock-star dreams were finally realized when she founded 2 all-female punk rock bands in early adulthood.  

Kate is currently starring in her most important role to date as Mama to her two sons (plus a dog, fish, and cat!). When she and her wife are not chasing their 3-year-old or laughing at some silly video with their 9-year-old, they’re working and pursuing their passions. One of Kate’s biggest passions is live performance so she’s incredibly eager to bring her skills to help advance the mission of Puget Soundworks.