Originally written by psychologist Dina Zeckhausen as a straight play in 1996, What's Eating Katie? has been performed at schools both nationally and internationally over the past twenty years. In 2012, Dina updated the script and collaborated with Bryan to turn the show into a musical. We now offer two versions of the show: Katie as a 13-year-old (for middle and high school audience) and Katie as a college student entering the world of the dreaded "Freshman 15." The latest version debuting in 2018 will include a new final Act (sponsored by Veritas Collaborative treatment centers) focused on Katie's recovery.
Dina Zeckhausen (playwright and lyricist) is a psychologist and founder of the non-profit EDIN, the Eating Disorders Information Network. EDIN's prevention programs serve as a model for local grassroots organizations around the country. Dina wrote the first children's book devoted to preventing eating disorders called Full Mouse, Empty Mouse (Magination Press, 2007), winner of the Gold Moonbeam Award in the Children's Wellness Category. Dina has been featured on The Today Show, Entertainment Tonight, CNN and Headline News. Click here to read her blog.
Bryan Mercer (composer and musical director) has been known to Atlanta theatre audiences for over 30 years as an actor, singer, musical director, composer, designer and folk artist. Original compositions include T.S. Elliot's MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL; FRANKENSTEIN, THE GHASTLY DREADFULS, SOMETHING WICKED, SPOOKY PUPPET, THE BEGINNING, THE BODY DETECTIVE, and BRER RABBIT, all commissioned by the Center for Puppetry Arts; and I DREAM OF PEACE, performed with Sir Peter Ustinov for President Jimmy Carter. Bryan has helped craft over 100 shows in the Atlanta area. In addition, he has worked with teenagers at the Alliance Theatre developing musical interpretations of classics like OUR TOWN and THE CRUCIBLE. Bryan has also worked extensively with performers who possess developmental disabilities at Atlanta's unique theatre, Habima. Read more about this multi-talented man here!