In the 1970s she raised her voice against the police abuse she suffered as a dancer at Les Girls Theater. In the 1980s, she advocated for dancers rights in the media and overturned a city ordinance. By the 1990s, she had firmly established Les Girls as a safe space for dancers.
But along with those victories came a lot of trauma. In the 2000s, Kata turned to art to heal herself.
1 of 23
Photos from the closing night of Kata Pierce-Morgan’s 2024 San Diego Fringe show, “No Regrets.” May 26, 2024
Michael Prine
2 of 23
Photos from the closing night of Kata Pierce-Morgan’s 2024 San Diego Fringe show, “No Regrets.” May 26, 2024
Michael Prine
3 of 23
Photos from the closing night of Kata Pierce-Morgan’s 2024 San Diego Fringe show, “No Regrets.” May 26, 2024
Michael Prine
4 of 23
Photos from the closing night of Kata Pierce-Morgan’s 2024 San Diego Fringe show, “No Regrets.” May 26, 2024
Michael Prine
5 of 23
Photos from the closing night of Kata Pierce-Morgan’s 2024 San Diego Fringe show, “No Regrets.” May 26, 2024
Michael Prine
6 of 23
Photos from the closing night of Kata Pierce-Morgan’s 2024 San Diego Fringe show, “No Regrets.” May 26, 2024
Michael Prine
7 of 23
Photos from the closing night of Kata Pierce-Morgan’s 2024 San Diego Fringe show, “No Regrets.” May 26, 2024
Michael Prine
8 of 23
Photos from the closing night of Kata Pierce-Morgan’s 2024 San Diego Fringe show, “No Regrets.” May 26, 2024
Michael Prine
9 of 23
Photos from the closing night of Kata Pierce-Morgan’s 2024 San Diego Fringe show, “No Regrets.” May 26, 2024
Michael Prine
10 of 23
Photos from the closing night of Kata Pierce-Morgan’s 2024 San Diego Fringe show, “No Regrets.” May 26, 2024
Michael Prine
11 of 23
Photos from the closing night of Kata Pierce-Morgan’s 2024 San Diego Fringe show, “No Regrets.” May 26, 2024
Michael Prine
12 of 23
Photos from the closing night of Kata Pierce-Morgan’s 2024 San Diego Fringe show, “No Regrets.” May 26, 2024
Michael Prine
13 of 23
Photos from the closing night of Kata Pierce-Morgan’s 2024 San Diego Fringe show, “No Regrets.” May 26, 2024
Michael Prine
14 of 23
Photos from the closing night of Kata Pierce-Morgan’s 2024 San Diego Fringe show, “No Regrets.” May 26, 2024
Michael Prine
15 of 23
Photos from the closing night of Kata Pierce-Morgan’s 2024 San Diego Fringe show, “No Regrets.” May 26, 2024
Michael Prine
16 of 23
Photos from the closing night of Kata Pierce-Morgan’s 2024 San Diego Fringe show, “No Regrets.” May 26, 2024
Michael Prine
17 of 23
Photos from the closing night of Kata Pierce-Morgan’s 2024 San Diego Fringe show, “No Regrets.” May 26, 2024
Michael Prine
18 of 23
Photos from the closing night of Kata Pierce-Morgan’s 2024 San Diego Fringe show, “No Regrets.” May 26, 2024
Michael Prine
19 of 23
Photos from the closing night of Kata Pierce-Morgan’s 2024 San Diego Fringe show, “No Regrets.” May 26, 2024
Michael Prine
20 of 23
Photos from the closing night of Kata Pierce-Morgan’s 2024 San Diego Fringe show, “No Regrets.” May 26, 2024
Michael Prine
21 of 23
Photos from the closing night of Kata Pierce-Morgan’s 2024 San Diego Fringe show, “No Regrets.” May 26, 2024
Michael Prine
22 of 23
Photos from the closing night of Kata Pierce-Morgan’s 2024 San Diego Fringe show, “No Regrets.” May 26, 2024
Michael Prine
23 of 23
Photos from the closing night of Kata Pierce-Morgan’s 2024 San Diego Fringe show, “No Regrets.” May 26, 2024
Michael Prine
In 2013, she became part of the San Diego International Fringe Festival. The annual event takes its cue from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which began as a creative act of rebellion against the artistic establishment.
Kata now stands in solidarity with sex worker/artists Lady Grew from Ireland and Rachel Atlas from New Zealand. All three are using Fringe to confront stigmas and stereotypes.
Beth Accomando
/
KPBS
Les Girls owner Kata Pierce-Morgan and singer-activist Kate McGrew on the set of their new play “Heaven or Hell 3: 1971 San Diego.”
In this chapter:
Kata Pierce-Morgan, poet, activist, former dancer, current owner of Les Girls Theater Kate McGrew/Lady Grew, singer, activist, sex worker, Fringe artist Rachel Atlas, Fringe artist, activist, sex worker Kit Marsh, Fringe artist, sex worker Cherida Fraser, Fringe artist
Credits:
Beth Accomando, Producer/Host/Video editor Christopher Maue, Videographer/Lighting Designer Kurt Kohnen, Sound Designer Phil Nenna, Designer/Animator Sanns Dixon, Videographer Roland Lizarondo, Videographer Amy Fan and Gaby Moreno, Assistants David Washburn, Editor
