Kati Brazda (1965-2025)
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Actor Kati Brazda passed away on May 1 at the age of 59, after facing a long-term illness with remarkable courage, grace and persistence. Kati was a fixture on Chicago stages and a member of Defiant Theatre for more than a decade before moving to New York in the early 2000s. Favorite Chicago roles included THE STORY, THE DEATH OF BESSIE SMITH, and FINDING THE SUN (Goodman Theatre); THE ACTION AGAINST SOL SCHUMANN (Victory Gardens); THE SECRET RAPTURE (Remy Bumppo; After Dark Award for Outstanding Performance); and THE LIFE AND TIMES OF TULSA LOVECHILD: A ROADTRIP (Collaboraction; Jeff Citation for Actress in a Principal Role). Kati appeared onstage at Court Theatre, Steppenwolf, About Face, Next Theatre, Lookingglass, Famous Door, Organic Theatre, Seanachai and Defiant Theatre. She was the recipient of the Sarah Siddons Society Chicago’s Leading Lady Award in 2004. That same year, Kati originated the role of Sarah Schorr in Joanna McClelland Glass’ TRYING (Victory Gardens Theater), which earned her a Jeff nomination for Actress in a Principal Role and brought her to New York to star in the off-Broadway production at Promenade Theatre.
In New York, Kati appeared in David Cromer’s acclaimed productions of OUR TOWN and THE EFFECT (Barrow Street), as well as LOVERS (Samuel Beckett Theatre), BILL W. AND DR. BOB (SoHo Playhouse), and as Josie's understudy for the 2007 Broadway production of MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN (Brooks Atkinson Theatre). Kati performed regionally at Pittsburgh Public Theater, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, George Street Playhouse, Nebraska Shakespeare Festival, Center State in Baltimore, Palm Beach Dramaworks (receiving Carbonell nominations) and Geva Theatre Center, among many others. Her screen credits include the independent film THE BOOK OF BIRDIE. Kati also used her rich, alto voice for voiceovers and audiobook narration. Born in Omaha NE on October 19, 1965, Kati was the daughter of Douglas and Karen (Brandert) Brazda. She graduated from West Point Jr-Sr High in 1984 and earned a bachelor's degree in theater from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, followed by an MFA in acting from Illinois State University. Kati was known for her great love of nature and animals, cherishing her time hiking, camping, riding horseback and being outdoors with her beloved dog, Dempsey. Kati is survived by her brothers Scott and Rich (Jenni) Brazda, along with a nephew, nieces, many great-nephews and nieces, her birth mother and two half-sisters. Per Lori Myers — “I first met Kati at Illinois State University. We acted together years later in a production of OUR TOWN, snapping over 300 pounds of beans together as Myrtle and Julia for about a year and a half. Kati was always the first to look at a person’s good side and never shied away from the Truth that was at the core of her very being. She loved a good party, loved rehearsals even more and was a darn-tootinest, stubborn-ass, spur-wearing warrior of a superhuman." And per Krissy Shields — “The first time I saw Kati was onstage at ISU in 1992. The show was Blithe Spirit, and she was captivating. Over the years, I was lucky enough to watch many of her focused, wildly fierce, imaginative performances as well as act alongside her. I am not alone in saying Kati offered her whole soul in all she did, and as strong as she was, it was equaled by her tenderness — both on stage and in nature. I join an entourage of people across the country in saying Kati Brazda was a teacher and friend.” |