Who is Kat Harrison?
Kat Harrison is a Brisbane born singer/actor who has worked mostly in Australian Theatre. She is also a Daughter, a Wife, a friend, a Primary School Teacher, a dog lover, a terrible cook and a great enthusiast of trashy TV, all in no particular order.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
Not a whole lot I don’t think. When I’m not working on stage, I teach classroom music, dance and drama and direct musicals at a wonderful little Primary School in Brisbane, so I would probably just do that full time. Either that or buy a boat, learn to sail and live off it… some days it could genuinely go either way!
Who inspires you and why?
Oh gosh, so many people! Veterans of our industry. Veterans of ANY industry actually, but speaking specifically to the arts; I have been fortunate enough to work on a number of shows that have included some pretty incredible Australian artists with careers that span more than 30, 40, 50 years and I find watching them work their craft incredibly inspiring. I also generally find them to be extremely generous in passing on their wisdom and experience. A few years ago I did a show with the late great Carol Burns and everything she did was a master-class in brilliant acting. It’s pretty amazing to get to be a bit of a sponge in those situations and I have some very inspiring mentors. Also, anyone who can play an instrument and sing at the same time (cause I definitely can’t do that) and my Parents, because they are the greatest, strongest most wonderful people in the world.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I think our youth might be the key to this. Trying to play a role in helping them to become compassionate, well informed, kind, critical thinking leaders of tomorrow seems like the way we make things better. Also, I’d find a way to eradicate cancer from existence, cause it is literally the worst.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Hamilton Island. I’m sure if I thought harder about this there’s a million exotic overseas destinations, but right now I am obsessed with Hamilton Island. My Husband and I honeymooned there a few years ago and went back again last Christmas. We stay at this ridiculously fancy over 18 resort with a private beach and amazing daily breakfast and the world’s most beautiful infinity pool… it is the ultimate feeling of luxury and relaxation! We are so lucky to have the Whitsundays in Queensland!
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I have a pretty intense love affair with the Brisbane River (although if I spend too much longer in Sydney it’s going to be very hard to go back to after being spoilt by the harbour!) But, brown as she may be, I love her, so I would probably take them on a ferry ride to the cliffs for a picnic and then jump on one of those super fun electric scooters to the Howard Smith Wharves for afternoon drinks and snacks on the grass. Essentially anywhere that serves food on the grass by the water is a winner for me!
What are you currently reading?
I wish I could give you a more sophisticated answer for this, but I’m a sucker for dramatic fiction. I have just finished Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid and I loved it! I recently finished Daisy Jones and the Six, also by her and also fabulous (particularly the audio version), so I’m kind of just making my way through her entire catalogue at the moment.
What are you currently listening to?
Right. So I only quite recently jumped on that Hamilton bandwagon and am now experiencing what most people went through in 2015, so that’s on a lot. Also any and all of the great/terrible forgotten pop bangers of the early 2000s. Lindsay Lohan Rumours – I’m looking at you!
Happiness is?
All of the everyday stuff! Right now this show is filling my happiness bucket pretty immensely, but generally speaking; breakfast with my Husband, phone calls to my Mum, memories of my Dad, Family cricket in my Nanny’s backyard, walks with my dogs, dinner with friends. If you are fortunate enough to surround yourself with great people and do the things you love, then happiness is kind of just all of it!
What does the future hold for you?
A fabulous Sydney reopening of Come From Away hopefully! (Also a fabulous reopening of the QLD border would be great so I could see my family again one day!) But other than that, I’m not too sure! I am extremely excited to be working on this beautiful show for the foreseeable future and then hopefully some other amazing creatively fulfilling project will come along and I can jump on that! Also as a side note, I’m desperate to sing at a Carols or do the National Anthem at a sporting event, so if anyone wants to make either of those happen, that would also be fine!
Kat stars as Bonnie in the Australian production of Come From Away which is currently playing at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre until January, before heading to the Canberra Theatre Centre from 3 February 2022. For more information, visit: www.comefromaway.com.au for details
Image: Kat Harrison (supplied)