The strike is over! Time for a little catch-up.

Happy Back to Work! Time for a little catch-up.

First off, congratulations to all who survived the writer’s and actor’s strikes. A huge thank you to the negotiating committees, strike captains, and every single person who held the line during this incredibly tough year. May this new chapter be a good one.

As we all rush back to work, even during the holiday season, I hope you can find a moment to breathe and hug yourself. Pending ratification of the SAG-AFTRA contract, We. Are. Through.

 

A couple of highlights I’m now able to share here:

  • My character Ms. Allegra made another appearance on Nickelodeon’s The Really Loud House. Check out episode 16, “Spelling and Doorbelling”.

 

 

  • I booked a role on an Amazon Prime sci-fi western. More details to come.

 

 

That’s the catch-up! If you want more details (and more on-set and strike pics), feel free to follow me on Instagram.

First Place at AFMX Pitch Panel

Oh my lawd, I won! Finally determined to focus on how to pitch a TV show, I submitted myself to AFMX’s pitching competition. Nothing like a deadline to motivate, right?

In September, I found out that I was one of five semi-finalists chosen to pitch my project, a half-hour comedy series, in front of an audience and a panel of industry professionals at @AFMX. I worked to polish that thing and learn new skills and then on Oct 1st, I pitched my project live at the Historic Lobo Theater stage.

It was new and scary (and stressful! – lol) l but I am really proud of how I did. I rolled with the unexpected things they threw at me, like – surprise – asking me to sing before I started my pitch! It felt like a major personal win in terms of facing my fears and pushing myself to do something new. And then…

I won first place!

Had to go up there and give an acceptance speech and everything! It was unreal and very encouraging.

I am so proud, so exhausted, and very very grateful for the opportunity. Thank you everyone for your support leading up to this. It meant a whole lot.

Kate grins as she holds her 1st place check for the AFMX pitch competition.

“The Other V Word” at Cannes Indie Fest!

The Other V Word cast

I had the pleasure of acting in this hilarious and relevant short film a while back. Now is your chance to check it out from wherever you are in the world! The Other V Word, written and directed by Kristin Goodman, is a hilarious ensemble piece that playfully examines who carries the burden of birth control in heterosexual relationships.

The Other V Word screens Feb 11-15th here in the “Shorts From the Globe 2” block. I hope you can make it!

The Other V Word

Rhythms Not Resolutions: A Gentle Approach to Change

Hey you…. Its February. How’s that resolution coming?

Rhythms not resolutions: Feeling overwhelmed? Kate screams as she's jumped upon by small child

If you set a New Year’s Resolution for 2023 and are feeling discouraged, I invite you to join me. If you skipped the resolution altogether this year because you’re so focused on survival and just can’t, come with me.

I’d like to lead you somewhere a bit more gentle, a bit more sustainable, and a bit more loving. This year, let’s focus on rhythms, not resolutions.

Resolutions, especially the traditional ones, are big tough goals that often come with a dose of shame beneath them. (I’m looking at you, weight loss industry.)

Rhythms, on the other hand, bring to mind nature, the seasons, and the sun’s daily rise and fall. Think music. Dance. Swaying to a beat. Your own beat.

It’s creating a small repeatable habit custom fit for your life.

Too “woo woo” for you? Okay, let’s get down to brass tacks. Rhythms, not resolutions. Here are some practical examples…

Continue reading the original post on ABQmom

 

Why I Cry in Front of my Kids and You Should Too

Social Emotional Learning. You’ve probably heard of it. It’s a major buzzword these days and for good reason. SEL includes learning about our feelings: how to recognize them, how to manage them, and how to notice them in others. A hugely important social and life skill, SEL is finally being recognized and addressed in schools.

In our family, we’ve made sure it’s a big part of our home teaching as well. My kids watched Daniel Tiger, and we fill our bookshelves with books about naming and recognizing feelings.

We talk a great game.

“All feelings are normal. All feelings are human. And all feelings belong and can be worked with.”

But as an adult, I’ve found the hardest part is practicing what we preach. I don’t know about you, but I have a tendency to bottle up all “bad” feelings–sadness, anger, embarrassment–until I can be alone.

Crying in the bathroom anyone?

It’s a natural instinct and not necessarily a bad one. Clearly, we don’t want all our anger exploding all over our children. But what if our kids could watch us work through some of these feelings, could actually see their grown-ups process . . . say . . . sadness?

When my daughter was just under two, I broke down crying in front of her one day. It wasn’t anything dramatic that caused it. I was just overwhelmed. She stood close to me, looked at the tears on my face, and said “mama sad.”

Read the rest in the original post here…

Hometown interview

How fun! I was interviewed by my hometown paper, The Ionia Sentinel-Standard about my journey from community children’s theater to Dark Winds. Check out the article below!

PORTLAND — Kate Bergeron fell in love with the performing arts while growing up in Ionia County.

Now based in the western U.S., Bergeron is acting in a new noir mystery-thriller series on AMC.

Bergeron, a Portland native, has landed a recurring role on “Dark Winds,” which premiered June 12 on AMC and AMC+. Episodes air at 9 p.m. Sundays.

“Dark Winds” is based on the book series by Tony Hillerman. George R.R. Martin and Robert Redford serve as executive producers of the show, which centers on two Navajo Nation police officers — Joe Leaphorn (played by Zahn McClarnon) and Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon) — in the 1970s Southwest who try to solve a double murder case.

Bergeron plays Karen Smith, a Mormon mother on a family vacation, in the show.

“Every time I’m on set, that’s what I’m looking for: it’s that feeling of family, connection and group storytelling, which I think is so powerful when you get it right.”

It was a priority for the Bergeron family to be involved with the performing arts in Portland, Kate said. She sometimes acted in plays with her father, while her younger brother was involved in the tech crew. The three also formed a band, called “The Bergeron Trio,” playing at a variety of area events.

Bergeron graduated from Portland High School in 2000, participating in theater productions and in choir.

“We’re such a small town I feel like I was so incredibly lucky to have such an amazing group of theater people to find a home with,” she said.

Bergeron earned a degree in musical theater from the Acting Conservatory at The Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. After graduating college, Bergeron decided musical theater wasn’t the way she wanted to go. She sang in bands professionally and wanted to act on television and film — deciding to move to Los Angeles.

Bergeron has focused on comedy and more serious roles in her acting career. She performed at The Second City in Chicago and had a recurring role as an English teacher on the ABC comedy “Speechless.” She also created a one-woman variety show called “Katie-Do,” which comprises sketches, shorts, songs, interviews and inspiration. Bergeron believes she had a natural draw for comedy, but wanted to also explore dramatic roles.

“I need the balance,” she said. “I need to do some comedy and then go look at the dark stuff. I really don’t think I can be happy with just one or the other. Luckily, with my career I don’t have to.

“Dark Winds” was filmed last fall. Bergeron said the COVID-19 pandemic played a factor, adding that positive tests resulted in shutdowns on set and the show staff was tested regularly. Shooting was sporadic for three months, Bergeron said.

“It was a very unique experience, but I felt safe and I felt taken care of,” she said. “I felt they were checking all the safety boxes as much as one possibly can.”

Bergeron is developing a half-hour comedy pilot set in a small-town children’s theater. She plans to use her Portland experiences in her writing.

Bergeron splits her time between Los Angeles and New Mexico but still keeps in contact with friends from Michigan. She and a couple of her childhood friends from Portland recently made a trip to Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio.

Friends have sent Bergeron photos of her on the “Dark Winds,” and the Portland Civic Players acknowledged her role on its Facebook page.

“It’s really wonderful to have support from people back home,” she said. “It’s a long, challenging road. For people who know I’ve been doing this since I was 5 years old at the theater, I think it’s not quite as exciting as it is for me but, even so, it’s really fun to have them cheering me on.

— Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at esasiela@sentinel-standard.com. Follow him on Twitter @SalsaEvan.

New Actor Reel

I’ve cut together a brand new drama-heavy acting reel and I’m so pleased with how it turned out. I’d love to hear what you think! Favorite character?

Check it out on IMDB! Thanks for watching.

Kate’s Acting Reel

Kate on set in western drama