Cathleen O’Malley (she/her) is a theatre artist and arts manager based in Washington, DC.

Cathleen trained in Lecoq-based physical theatre at the London International School of Performing Arts (LISPA) and holds an MFA from Naropa University. Before becoming a theatre artist, Cathleen studied psychology and women's studies at the University of Pittsburgh, where she explored the social and therapeutic applications of the arts, including group psychodrama, Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed, street theatre, site-specific installation sculpture, and Playback Theatre—an improvised ensemble-based storytelling form. These early influences are still at the heart of Cathleen's collaborative work.

A native of Prince George’s County (MD) Cathleen recently returned to the DMV after over a decade in key management roles at socially-engaged performing arts nonprofits such as Cleveland Public Theatre, Dobama, Touchstone Theatre, and the BorderLight Festival, the latter of which she helped launch in 2019 and is now entering its 5th season.

Cathleen has co-created original theatre regionally and abroad, including performances in England, Hungary, Denmark, Jordan, Seattle (WA) and across the American Rust Belt. Favorite scripted roles include Maria/Itchy in the Midwest Premiere of MR. BURNS - A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY (Cleveland Public Theatre), Claire in BOSTON MARRIAGE (Mamai Theatre), and her original solo work about contemporary motherhood, MILKDRUNK, which premiered Off-Broadway at the 10th annual United Solo Festival in NYC and is now available on the National New Play Network’s New Play Exchange (NPX).

A resourceful and natural collaborator, Cathleen is dedicated to fostering meaningful connections between artists and audiences through innovative engagement programs, cross-sector partnerships, and live cultural events that ignite audiences and advance the role of the arts in public life.

Cathleen currently works as an independent arts management consultant, writer, performer, and producer.

Photograph by Ian Bannon / Celebration Barn