Katie Peña-Van Zile

Katie Peña-Van Zile

Katie Peña-Van Zile (she/her) is a Latina-Lachian playwright from nowhere in particular, currently residing just outside of Louisville, Kentucky. Her friends call her KVZ.

She is a proud Bluegrass Community and Technical College graduate that went on to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Performing Arts Administration from Western Kentucky University while working full-time in nonprofit...
Katie Peña-Van Zile (she/her) is a Latina-Lachian playwright from nowhere in particular, currently residing just outside of Louisville, Kentucky. Her friends call her KVZ.

She is a proud Bluegrass Community and Technical College graduate that went on to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Performing Arts Administration from Western Kentucky University while working full-time in nonprofit marketing and development. An Army Brat, KVZ is convinced that working in the theatre helps her heal her relationship with impermanence.

KVZ’s plays have been commissioned, staged, and performed throughout the United States, but she is just getting started. When she’s not ruminating over edits on current projects, she teaches playwriting to adults with Down syndrome and occasionally finds her way back onstage as an actress.

KVZ is currently a Line Producer at Actors Theatre of Louisville.

Plays

  • Synchro by Katie Peña-Van Zile
    Cast: 
    9
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama
    ·
    Keyword: synchronized swimming, Olympics + 3 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama
    Keyword: synchronized swimming, Olympics, teenage girls, female athlete, features LGBTQ characters
    Synchro is a one-act play that follows a team of competitive artistic swimmers as they prepare for a high-stakes performance.
  • The Sisters Grimm by Katie Peña-Van Zile
    Cast: 
    9–100
    ·
    Genre: adaptation, comedy + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: fairy tales, COVID 19 + 7 more
    Genre: adaptation, comedy, fable/folktale, fantasy, young audiences
    Keyword: fairy tales, COVID 19, Sisters, tya, children’s play, large cast, Theatre for Young Audiences, girl power, elementary school
    "It's 2020, and sisters Jo and Riley have just moved into Grandma and Grandpa's spare bedroom. Dad is deployed overseas and Mom is suddenly working 24/7 as an E.R. nurse. Spring break has been extended indefinitely, the end of the year musical has been canceled, and Grandpa hasn't turned off the news in days.
    Follow along as Jo tries to get her younger sister's mind off of the...
    "It's 2020, and sisters Jo and Riley have just moved into Grandma and Grandpa's spare bedroom. Dad is deployed overseas and Mom is suddenly working 24/7 as an E.R. nurse. Spring break has been extended indefinitely, the end of the year musical has been canceled, and Grandpa hasn't turned off the news in days.
    Follow along as Jo tries to get her younger sister's mind off of the chaos around them with the help of a dusty old copy of Grimm's Fairy Tales, Grandma's clutter, and the power of their combined imaginations.
    "The Sisters Grimm" tells a story about the strength of sisterhood in the face of change and uncertainty. With plenty of "happily ever afters," a wealth of talking animals, and an extra dash of girl power, this play is sure to be fun for the whole family."
  • World's Best Dad by Katie Peña-Van Zile
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    5
    ·
    Genre: drama, experimental + 3 more
    ·
    Keyword: suburban horror, lgbtq issues + 3 more
    Genre: drama, experimental, horror, science fiction, tragedy
    Keyword: suburban horror, lgbtq issues, family drama, murder, suicide
    Roger Bloom is the best stay-at-home dad around, and he knows it. Until one day, he wakes up and his favorite coffee mug says #4 Dad.
  • Womb Goof by Katie Peña-Van Zile
    Recommendations: 1
    ·
    Cast: 
    2
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: fertility, pregnancy + 8 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, romantic comedy
    Keyword: fertility, pregnancy, miscarriage, infertility, Frida Kahlo, Latinx experience, biracial identity, abortion, bisexual, marijuana
    Womb Goof follows a young couple through an unexpected pregnancy, and even more unexpected miscarriage.