Kristy Cates started her performing career at 3 years old, singing songs and presenting self-written musicals on the hearth of her family's fireplace. In the second grade, her talents were recognized by the director of the grammar school musical; she heard Kristy "crowing" at the roosters who took up residence next to the playground. She was immediately cast as the singing rooster in the Christmas pageant. The rest is history!!!

Kristy performed in many community theater productions around her native Northern California, spending 7 years with the Pinole Young Actors group. At age 17, she was cast in her first professional production and made the decision to pursue a career in theater. She auditioned for, and was accepted to the prestigious University of Cincinnati - College Conservatory of Music where she spent four challenging and rewarding years. Upon graduation, Kristy was cast in two productions at the St. Louis MUNY and was fortunate to move to New York City with her Actor's Equity card in hand!

After a few months in New York, Kristy was cast in the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players production of "Princess Ida." Shortly there after, she began to perform with a number of extremely talented "unknown" writers and composers - even presenting a cabaret of their work at the historical club, Don't Tell Mama. Kristy has been lucky enough to have worked at several regional theaters such as the Lucille Lortel White Barn, North Bay Opera, the Playhouse on the Green and at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Conference. As a singer, she has appeared at numerous NYC clubs/theatres including the Duplex, the Producer's Club, Joe's Pub, Don't Tell Mama, XL, the Triad and Therapy.

In 2003, Kristy starred in the off-Broadway production Boobs! The Musical which celebrated the songs of legendary 50's and 60's singer, Ruth Wallis. Playing Ruth Wallis herself along with a barrage of other characters (including a medicated Mary Poppins, and a Follies Bergere wannabe) Kristy garnered positive reviews from critics.Three months into the run, Kristy auditioned for and was cast in the new musical, Wicked as a member of the ensemble and understudy to Idina Menzel. On the original cast recording she can be heard singing "No one cries, they won't return!" and "I hear some rebel animals are giving her food and shelter." Most memorably, she played the "woman with the parasol" in the Emerald City! As a member of the Wicked cast, she performed on the 2004 Tony Awards, the Late Show with David Letterman and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

In March of 2005, when the star of the Wicked national tour, the incomparable Stephanie Block, was injured, Kristy was immediately flown to Toronto to play Elphaba as Stephanie recovered. While in Toronto, she was asked to join the Chicago cast of Wicked as standby to SNL alum, Ana Gasteyer. In Chicago, Kristy performed the role of Elphaba many times and was seen performing last summer at the annual Taste of Chicago. She was honored to sing the National Anthem for the Chicago Bulls, White Sox, and last year on Veterans Weekend at a VERY WINDY Chicago Bears football game (where they crushed Kristy's home team, the 49ers). Kristy ended her run with Wicked in Chicago on December 10, 2006.