Kat Norton

Associate Director | Company Artist

Kat Norton is the co-artistic director of PACK Dance Company, where she brings her deep-rooted passion for movement, mental wellness, and community-building to life through choreography and collaborative leadership. A lifelong advocate for the arts, Kat creates work that centers joy, play, and collective care and champions projects that support mental health and creative expression for people of all ages. Her choreography is guided by the belief that dance can be a powerful tool for connection, resistance, and healing.

Kat earned her BFA in Dance Performance from Missouri State University, where she studied modern, contemporary, ballet, jazz, somatic practices, and dance production. She was a member of the touring company Inertia, where she helped bring literature to life for thousands of students annually through movement and music. Her choreographic work Torrential Thirst was selected for the ACDFA Master Showcase Concert, marking her as one of the top emerging choreographers in her region.

In addition to her artistic work, Kat has been a cornerstone of the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District for over 20 years. For the past 15, she has served as administrative assistant to the superintendent and secretary to the Board of Education, where she supports district leadership with clarity, compassion, and care. Her passion for equity and student-centered systems informs all areas of her work.

Kat served as the program administrator for the Maplewood Richmond Heights Weekend on Wheels food support program for 13 years, and as the program administrator for Joe's Place Corporation for 11 years. She is currently serving on the board of the Maplewood Community Fund, supporting neighborhood wellness through local philanthropy. Kat is also the founder of The Essential Assistant, an LLC providing coaching and consulting to administrative professionals in educational settings. Across all areas of her life, Kat remains committed to building spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered.