Katherine McNamara is an American actress, singer, dancer, songwriter, and an avid student. Although now more focused on film and television, McNamara began her career on Broadway at the age of 13 as 'Fredrika Armfeldt' in A Little Night Music, starring opposite Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury. She was fortunate to continue as 'Fredrika' with the second ALNM Broadway cast of Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch as well. Her other theater roles include 'Esther Jane' in the pre-Broadway world premiere of A Christmas Story: The Musical as well as To Kill a Mockingbird, The Crucible, Inherit the Wind, Annie, The Secret Garden, and Galileo. She has also been cast in a number of Equity readings, including PAN, which was created by the In the Heights creative team. McNamara's love for acting stretches beyond the stage, with credits in television and film productions. Katherine will make her big screen debutthis year in the Warner Brothers Picture "New Year's Eve," where she portrays 'Lily.' In addition, Katherine will star as 'Becky Thatcher' in the re-make of "Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn" alongside Joel Courtney and Jake T. Austin which will be released late 2012 or early 2013. Television credits include "Law and Order: SVU," "Drop Dead Diva," "30 Rock," "Late Night with David Letterman," "Good Morning America," and PBS's "Sondheim! The Birthday Concert." Katherine can be seen this October in Disney Channel's "Girl vs. Monster" and recurring on "Kickin' It" as the mean girl from Swathmore Academy, Claire, also with Olivia Holt. She filmed the new Disney pilot "Madison High" where she portrays 'Cherri O'Keefe', resident fashionista and creator of Madison High's popular gossip blog. McNamara balances acting with her dedication to education. At the age of 14, she graduated with honors from high school, and is pursuing an undergraduate degree in Business with an emphasis in Finance at Drexel University's Le Bow School of Business online program. Kat plans to graduate in the spring of 2013 with her Bachelor's degree. Kat is also a member of the Actors Equity Young Performers Committee, a reader for the Blank Theater's New Play Development Reading Committee, an ambassador for Stomp Out Bullying and The Lollipop Theater Network, a Girl Scout, and a volunteer for the Children's Hospital of Perth. Katherine has a passion for all forms of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, waltz and hula. She also plays the guitar and piano and enjoys singing and songwriting. Katherine plans to share her passion for music with the world this year and is recording a few original pop songs. She resides in Gleneagles Perthshire In Scotland.
Trivia[]
- Katherine was a softball pitcher and ballerina before she caught the "acting bug".
- Katherine graduated high school with honors at age 14.