ABOUT
Kat Kleve is an actor, singer, and songwriter based in Bristol and London. With a background in musical theatre, pop and classical music, and inspired by visionaries like Lin-Manuel Miranda and Shaina Taub, she has a passion for storytelling through musical theatre and film.
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Born in Bristol with Scandinavian heritage, Kat was surrounded by classical music from a young age. Her father is the founder of Bristol’s professional orchestra, the ‘Bristol Ensemble’, with her aunt founding the education department ‘Preludes Music’, which now bring musical opportunities to over 4,000 school children in the West of England each year - both of which organisations Kat now works closely with in a variety of roles.
Kat is also the founder of The Theatre Cabaret, a regular event in Bristol showcasing professional musical theatre talent and new musical theatre writing from across the South West, with the aim to bring more professional opportunities to musical theatre creatives in the region.
"Instantly likeable and easy to watch. She has charisma and charm, her eyes sparkle when she performs"
The Reviews Hub on TINK
AS A PERFORMER
After attending youth groups such as NYMT and Bristol Old Vic Young Company, Kat went on to train at the Guildford School of Acting, gaining a 1st degree in musical theatre. She landed her first professional job just before graduating in the original London cast of Once the musical at The Phoenix Theatre, directed by John Tiffanny and produced by Barabra Broccoli.
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Since then, Kat has performed in multiple productions and worked alongside the UK’s leading directors and theatre makers. Theatre credits include the West End Revival of Noel Coward’s Brief Encounter, directed by Emma Rice at the Empire Cinema, Haymarket, the original West End cast of Mrs Henderson Presents, a Bath Theatre Royal production directed by Terry Johnson, the No.1 UK tour of Cabaret alongside Will Young, directed by previous National Theatre Artistic Director Rufus Norris, and the actor-musician adaptation of Crazy for You at The Watermill theatre, directed by Paul Hart.
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Kat voiced the role of the ‘Tailor’ in the BAFTA Longlisted stop-motion animation film Salvation Has No Name, written and directed by Joseph Wallace. Kat has also appeared in the Carey Grant biopic Archie for ITVX, Eastenders for BBC studios, multiple short films, commercials and music videos.
"It’s the musical numbers, played to her own acoustic guitar, that soar with emotional intelligence."
The Stage on TINK
AS A WRITER
Kat honed her craft writing for folk and pop bands for many years, with her music featuring multiple times across BBC Radio Stations. In 2023, Kat combined her love for music and theatre to compose and perform her debut solo show 'TINK' at Tobacco Factory Theatres in Bristol, co-created alongside book writer and lyricist Lizzy Connolly. Described as a ‘must-see’ by The Reviews Hub, listed in The Times and WhatsOnStage’s ‘top shows to see’ and nominated for a Broadway World award, it received huge critical acclaim with its Edinburgh Festival run selling out and subsequently transferring to London at The Other Palace studio in October 2024. Kat recently released the studio album in 2025 which is now available to stream on all major platforms.
Kat was commissioned alongside film composer Youki Yamamoto to write for the Netflix series 'Sunshine Eyes', as well as a new children's song as part of the YouTube Kids animation channel 'Poppin' Birds' for SONY, released at the start of 2026.
In autumn 2025, Kat teamed up with book writer and lyricist Joe Venable to write the new two-hander actor-musician musical 'No Flirting In The Bunker Please' which had its first R&D performance at The Hen & Chickens Theatre in Islington in December 2025 and will be continuing its development in 2026. She is also composing the full-scale musical 'GLIMMER' with book writer and lyricist Frankie Bunce which has been selected as one of six new musicals to be presented at Paul Taylor Mills' MTFest 2026 at The Other Palace this February.
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Kat thrives in collaborative environments and is always looking to work and connect with like-minded artists and industry professionals. ​​​​