Klondike Kate by Mandi Wickline 2022-24
CREATING the KLONDIKE KATE SCENE
Klondike Kate (1876-1957) grew up in Spokane as Kathleen Rockwell. She became known as Klondike Kate when she made her way to the Yukon, reportedly dressed as a boy, and wowed the miners as a dancer and entertainer during the Klondike Gold Rush. The “Queen of the Yukon” and “”Belle of Dawson” danced her way across the country and, after going through several fortunes and husbands, spent the last years of her life as a homesteader, activist and philanthropist in Oregon. Klondike Kate inspired a 1943 movie, and a troupe of women who appear in parades and on stages as the Royal Order of Klondike Kates.
Mandi Wickline is one of the founders of Dangerous Women and has composed music, rap and enacted Joan of Arc and Alice Paul for Dangerous Women productions before bringing Klondike Kate to life.
Mandi is an actor, singer and director from Fox Island, WA who has preformed lead roles in eastern and western WA. After 11 years as the Head Drama Coach for the Cascade School District, in 2022 she moved to Tacoma for family where she directs artistic programming at the YMCA.
Mandi keeps creative ties to Leavenworth by directing Upper Valley Connection Special Needs Theater Camp. She is currently writing and recording an album.