Student Success Stories - Katherine McNamara

Background

Katherine McNamara, 14, is a professional actor living in New York City and an online high school student at The Keystone School. By going to school online, Katherine has the flexibility to pursue a successful career in acting while taking advanced high school coursework, anytime, anywhere.

In 2010, she made her Broadway debut as “Fredricka” in A Little Night Music, where she is currently acting alongside Angela Lansbury, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Alexander Hanson and an entire cast of talented performers. Katherine has starred in more than a dozen theater productions, both in New York and around the country, and has also appeared in two independent films: as Mary in Matchmaker Mary, and Emma Marsh in Sam Steele and the Junior Detective Agency. Emma Marsh will return in Sam Steele and the Crystal Chalice in 2010!

Most recently, Katherine won an online contest involving 50 contestants and 2 million votes to star in the webisode series Mackenzie Blue, based on the popular book series by Tina Wells. In the series, Mackenzie, aka Zee, keeps a diary where she writes her deepest thoughts and feelings. The web show will be shot "documentary style," as a video diary.

In a press release announcing her winning the contest, Katherine said, "I'm so excited. It was so much fun to participate in this contest, and I can't wait to bring Mackenzie to life for all of her fans.”

"Any of our finalists would have been perfect for this role. But there was something very special about Katherine," said author Tina Wells. "I believe that the fans of the series will truly embrace her as the live-action version of a character they've grown to love. I'm excited for Katherine, and I hope this is another step in her already bright career."

The series will begin airing via YouTube this summer, just in time for the June release of the third book in the series, Friends Forever?

Flexibility To Pursue a Career and Go To School

Katherine has been a student at The Keystone School for the past three years and at 14 is preparing to graduate soon. “By taking high school at The Keystone School, I’ve been able to focus on my acting career and still hope to graduate early,” explains Katherine.

In her current Broadway production, A Little Night Music, Katherine performs in four out of eight shows a week, often spending 12 hours a day at the theater. With her laptop and access to her classes and coursework online, Katherine is able to study and complete her homework in between rehearsals.

With just 3-4 credits left to graduate, Katherine has rapidly moved ahead in high school by taking online courses year-round. Her favorite subjects are math and Latin.

“I love school and I thrive on learning,” says Katherine, who is currently taking Advanced Placement® Statistics. “To be able to have the flexibility to do my classes when it works with my schedule is really great.”

Developing a One-on-One Relationship With Her Teachers

Although Katherine attends school online from wherever her acting career takes her, the 14-year-old believes that being a student in a virtual school allows her to develop a stronger, more personalized relationship with her teachers.

“At The Keystone School, the teachers are very helpful, and I can call or e-mail them anytime,” says Katherine. “I can really connect with my teachers, and it feels more personal and one-on-one.” She adds, “One of my teachers even came out to New York to see my show, which was great.”

For more information about Keystone student and professional actor Katherine McNamara, visit www.katherinemcnamaraonline.com or www.mackenzieblue.com for the upcoming web series Katherine will be starring in.