Katie Pruitt

A Nashville transplant from the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, Katie Pruitt tackles human topics such as religion, mental health, and love with a modern twist. With passionate delivery and a powerful message, she has graced the stages of festivals such as Americana, 420 Fest, Pilgrimage, and sold-out shows across the United States and internationally.

Pruitt’s debut album Expectations is a glowingly detailed collection of real-life stories, a courageous document of coming of age in a sometimes-unwelcoming world. The 25-year-old singer/songwriter/guitarist treads endlessly complex emotional ground: mental illness, toxic relationships, the frustration and shame of growing up gay in the Christian South. But by speaking her truth with sensitivity and grit, Pruitt ultimately arrives at a self-acceptance that’s both hard won and happily defiant. Co-produced by Pruitt and her close friend Michael Robinson at the home studio of Rounder Records’ Gary Paczosa, Expectations showcases her captivating voice—an instrument that alternately soars and howls and softens to a near whisper. And while the album unfolds in a guitar-fueled sound steeped in folk, country, and rock and roll, each track stays centered on the lucid songwriting that landed Pruitt on a “20 Artists to Watch in 2019” list from NPR and prompted Rolling Stone to call her “a dynamic new presence.”

If you can, show your love for the arts by purchasing an “Advocate” ticket; the additional ticket cost directly benefits Krannert Center.

Tickets for this event will go on sale to the public at 10am on Tuesday, August 31. Tickets will be sold online only, not by phone or at the Ticket Office counter. Before the on-sale date, please visit Krannert Center’s online ticket office to ensure you have or can create an active account. To learn about early ticket-buying opportunities, please contact Krannert Center’s Advancement team: 217.333.6700 or advancement [at] krannertcenter.illinois.edu.

As part of the University of Illinois, Krannert Center follows U of I guidelines regarding face coverings and other COVID-19 safety protocols. These guidelines change as conditions change, so we will continue to adjust our practices and keep you informed throughout the season. At this time, face coverings are required in indoor university spaces such as Krannert Center. In addition, people who are NOT fully vaccinated are required to wear a face covering outdoors when they cannot practice social distancing.

We kindly ask that you please leave large bags/purses at home or in your car rather than bringing them into the theatres.

Festival Eats
Because of staffing changes resulting from the pandemic, Intermezzo cafe is closed for the festival, but snacks and beverages are available at Stage 5 Bar. Please wear a mask unless you are actively eating or drinking. No eating or drinking is permitted in lines or inside Foellinger Great Hall, Tryon Festival Theatre, or Colwell Playhouse.

Friday, September 17
Stage 5 Bar: 4pm-11:30pm
Beer and Wine Bar: 5pm-8pm

Saturday, September 18
Stage 5 Bar: 11am-11:30pm
Beer and Wine Bar: 7pm-9pm

Snacks
Hummus and Pita snack box with vegetables
Assorted cheese and summer sausage snack box with crackers
Popcorn
Gardetto’s snack mix
Mixed nuts with fruit
Cookie

Did you know that 14 cafes and restaurants are located within two blocks of Krannert Center? Please visit these neighborhood partners during the festival and beyond!

Timpone’s
The Bread Company
Espresso Royale Coffee
Manolo’s Pizza & Empanadas
KoFusion Urbana
4th Quarter Nutrition
Rosati’s Pizzeria
Basil Thai at Urbana
Subway
Caffé Bene
Tenko Tea
Bab Plus Korean Restaurant