Katrina Olivia Elias, a dynamic and multifaceted individual with a rich cultural heritage, was born in the vibrant city of Barranquilla, Colombia, to parents whose ancestry is a fascinating blend of Lebanese, Spanish, and Chibcha roots. The Chibcha people, an indigenous Native American group, hail from the majestic Northern Andes of Colombia, a region steeped in history, tradition, and natural beauty.
From a remarkably young age of just one year, her parents made the bold decision to relocate to the vibrant city of Cleveland, Ohio, a pivotal moment that would lay the groundwork for the flourishing artistic pursuits that would soon define her life.
Throughout the formative stages of her adolescence, Katrina's innate creativity began to flourish, manifesting itself in a multitude of artistic expressions. She discovered a profound passion for modern dance, allowing her to channel her energy and emotions into dynamic movements that seemed to come alive on stage.
In addition to her dance endeavors, Katrina also explored the realm of music, honing her skills in music-mixing and production. This multifaceted approach to creativity not only deepened her understanding of rhythm and melody but also fostered a sense of innovation and experimentation.
As she delved further into the world of the arts, Katrina's creative impulse extended to the realm of set and costume design. Her meticulous attention to detail and keen sense of aesthetics enabled her to craft visually striking backdrops and attire that transported audiences to new and imaginative worlds.
These early explorations of her artistic inclinations laid the groundwork for a future career that would be marked by a seamless fusion of creativity, innovation, and technical expertise.
Katrina's journey towards realizing her true potential as a multifaceted individual began with her enrollment at the University of Tampa and the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, where she had the opportunity to acquire a solid foundation in the field of Fashion and Design, earning an Associate of Arts degree that would serve as a springboard for her future endeavors.
As the years unfolded, she dedicated herself to refining her acting craft, steadily accumulating an impressive array of credits across various mediums, including but not limited to, a plethora of stage plays, a diverse range of short films, a multitude of TV guest-star appearances, and a notable number of independent feature films.
With a vast array of experience at her disposal, she was empowered to craft and oversee the creation of her inaugural short 16-millimeter film, "Dreamkeeper," in the vibrant city of New Orleans, back in the year 1997, thus inaugurating her odyssey as a writer and producer.
Katrina's writing skills and creative endeavors persisted in their trajectory of growth, as she successfully penned and sold a family situational comedy pilot script, aptly titled "Bel & Ricky", in the year 2003. This notable achievement was marked by the acquisition of options for three episodes, a testament to the project's potential and the writer's talent.
Notable among her extensive list of accomplishments is the Imagen Foundation-nominated comedy of errors stage play, "Abuelo's Legacy", which boasts a prestigious production history, having been brought to life by the esteemed Nosotros, The Jude Shaw Theatre Company, and further showcased at the highly-regarded 5th Annual Hispanic Playwrights Festival of Fort Worth, as well as the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts, a testament to her remarkable talent and dedication to her craft.
The life and career of this accomplished individual are marked by a series of notable milestones, with "Abuelo's Legacy" standing out as a particularly impressive achievement, having garnered a nomination from the Imagen Foundation, a prestigious organization dedicated to promoting and celebrating the contributions of Latino individuals in the entertainment industry.
The production of "Abuelo's Legacy" was a collaborative effort, with the play being brought to life by the creative forces behind Nosotros, The Jude Shaw Theatre Company, and further showcased at the 5th Annual Hispanic Playwrights Festival of Fort Worth, a celebration of the rich cultural heritage and artistic talent of the Hispanic community.
In addition to its nomination from the Imagen Foundation, "Abuelo's Legacy" also had the distinction of being produced by the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts, an organization dedicated to promoting the development and production of bilingual and bicultural works, and providing a platform for Latino artists to share their unique perspectives and experiences with a wider audience.
Katrina's creative endeavors extended beyond the realm of music, as she ventured into the world of playwriting, crafting a one-act stage-play titled "Red Colombian Sky" in the early months of 2004. This remarkable work of art did not go unnoticed, as it was swiftly chosen for production by the prestigious 6th Annual Hispanic Playwright's Festival of Fort Worth, a testament to Katrina's versatility and artistic prowess.
Katrina's initial foray into the realm of filmmaking culminated in the successful adaptation of the play into a concise, 35-millimeter cinematic production, which underwent a transformation in title, ultimately emerging as "Madam Marina", thereby signifying Katrina's inaugural foray into the director's chair.
The inaugural and exclusive debut of the captivating theatrical production, "Madam Marina", was a momentous occasion that transpired in the charming and historic Victorian City of Port Townsend, situated on the breathtakingly beautiful Olympic Peninsula in the state of Washington, USA, during the month of September in the year 2005.
