Member Spotlight: Kary Swiontek

New CSJ Board of Directors Member (2026)
Kary was voted onto the Center Stage Jackson Board of Directors at our December meeting.

Roles with CSJ: Volunteer • Member • Actor • Board Member

Kary Swiontek joined Center Stage Jackson a little later than some – at age 40 – but from the moment she stepped onstage, she found exactly what she didn’t know she was looking for: joy, confidence, friendship, and purpose.

Her very first CSJ show was Gypsy, where she played Louise (Gypsy Rose Lee). That role quickly became meaningful, not just for its humor and heart, but for the way Louise’s journey mirrored her own – stepping out of the background and into the spotlight. While Kary had done one musical back in high school, this experience marked a new chapter of growth, learning, and self-discovery.

One of Kary’s most powerful theatre experiences came with her role as Joan in The Guys, a moving play inspired by the events of 9/11. Performed in partnership with the Michigan Theatre, the production donated all proceeds to local fire departments. For Kary, it was a reminder of how deeply theatre can serve the community – honoring loss, remembrance, and gratitude through art.

She’s also loved being part of the ensemble in productions like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Jekyll and Hyde, and Something Rotten. Ensemble work, she says, is often the most fun – lots of stage time, fast costume changes, and the freedom to be many characters in one show.

Beyond traditional productions, Kary has found a special connection through CSJ cabarets. Singing brings her joy, but what makes her performances especially meaningful is when she sign-translates while singing, blending American Sign Language with music to tell stories in a more inclusive, expressive way.

Offstage, Kary is just as involved – helping with set builds and teardown, painting, and even grant writing. She embraces the “it takes a village” spirit that keeps community theatre thriving.

Outside of theatre, Kary is an adventurer at heart. She enjoys hiking, rappelling, and canyoning, and works professionally as a Speech-Language Pathologist and Assistive Technology Coordinator for Jackson County ISD, Director of Camp McYack, and an adjunct professor at SAU. She’s spent decades supporting learners of all ages – helping them build confidence, communication, and independence.

Looking ahead, Kary’s dream show is The Wizard of Oz. The story is woven deeply into her family memories, shared with her grandmother and uncle. While childhood dreams once placed her in Dorothy’s shoes, today she’s drawn to the Wicked Witch – a complex, fascinating character with more depth than meets the eye.

For Kary, community theatre is about connection – a place where people grow, take risks, and belong. It’s where stories are shared, perspectives broadened, and lasting memories are made, both onstage and off.

We’re thrilled to welcome Kary to the CSJ Board of Directors and grateful to have her as part of the Center Stage Jackson family.