Kate Magruder

Kate Magruder

After studying theatre at University of California, Irvine and the American Conservatory Theatre, Kate Magruder migrated to the oak-studded hills of Mendocino County in the early 1970s as part of the era’s cultural phenomenon known as the Back to the Land movement.  By 1977 she was ready to leave her garden and her cabin, and chart a path in the burgeoning little community of Ukiah. Almost immediately she met a group of like-minded souls and together they launched Ukiah Players Theatre.  With enormous community support, they built the Ukiah Playhouse in 1982.   Kate helped guide the company for the next thirty years as a director, writer, actor, teacher, and administrator.

Her particular focus has been on using the power of story to connect people: to each other, their history, and the place they call home.

She’s created several community storytelling programs including Telling the Truth in a Small Town and Of All Places:  Stories of How and Why We’re Here.

In 2018-19 Kate directed an interview project in collaboration with the local public radio station called Promise of Paradise:  Back to the Land Oral Histories of Mendocino County.  The 100+ interviews and their transcripts will be housed at the Mendocino County Historical Society.

Over the years Kate also worked with Laurel Near and Paulette Arnold to create a performing arts summer camp that evolved into the School of Performing Arts and Cultural Education (SPACE).  Kate has continued to serve as a guest artist with SPACE whenever possible.

Kate lives with her husband, Mac, on their family’s ranch in Potter Valley where they raise grass-fed beef and lamb.  They are blessed to have their daughter, Grace; her husband, Kyle; and their children, June and Walter, as the 6th generation on the ranch to help shape and shepherd its agricultural future.