Karin Trachtenberg
"The themes that weave through my film and stage work center on the stresses, challenges, and isolation of suburban life—parenting, family, motherhood, and the experiences of women navigating life beyond a certain age."
Directed & Produced
Character-driven narratives that explore conflict through a feminine lens.
I find that adapting short plays to film offers a natural framework for a compelling beginning, middle, and end—while also allowing space for emotionally rich themes and the kind of messy, unresolved tension that mirrors real-life conflict.
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Title:
Pumpkin Pie
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Role: Director/Producer
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Synopsis: Bakery owner Margot finds her coveted solitude interrupted by a frantic customer, Adelaide, who refuses to be turned away on Thanksgiving morning. Through Adelaide’s increasingly desperate pleas for a holiday pie, the two women must face the feelings of inadequacy, sadness and regret that are often served up with the holiday meal.
To Date: 20 Festivals, 10 Awards, 12 Nominations
Audience Favorite - Bridgeport Film Festival
Best Drama - Lava Film Festival
Best Short & Best Actress (Hilary Dennis) - East Village NYC Film Festival
Best New England Short & Best Original Score - Lois Weber Film Festival
Outstanding Local Short - Shawna Shea Film Festival
Best Comedy Short & Best Actress (Hilary Dennis) - NY Long Island Film Festival
Finalist Best Short Comedy - Hamilton New York International Film Festival
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Title:
Three AM
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Role: Director
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Synopsis: Tish has everything under control. TIGHT control. That is until her neighbor Gwen pushes her to face the truth and the question that all parents fear - can we ever truly protect our children?
To Date: 10 Festivals 5 Wins 4 Nominations 1 Honorable Mention
Heart Strings Award - Creative Guts Short Film Festival
Best All Female Film - Women’s Film Festival
Best Acting Duo - New York International Film Awards
Best Cinematographer - LA Independent Women Film Awards
Best Produced Screenplay - SoCal Awards
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Title:
EXIT
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Coming Soon!
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Synopsis: When left with no one to turn to, a devoted wife meets her husbands mistress for the first time — with a proposition that will change them both forever.
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Under the banner of the newly formed Third Act Productions, Karin and co-producer Julia Trueblood announce their third collaboration, now in pre-production.
What They’re Saying
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Theatre
Boston Globe
“Trachtenberg is wonderful as the haunted Kyra in “Exception”….a newcomer to Zeitgeist….Miller would do well to keep casting her.”
Melissa Bernstein -
Artistic Director, Newton Theatre Company
"Karin is a courageous actor, a dedicated team player and incredibly hard-working. Beyond that, she is an impressive tour-de-force on stage always giving a powerful and honest performance. ”
David Gow - filmmaker, director and internationally produced playwright
“A formidable, compelling and versatile performer, Karin’s performances are clean and carefully crafted. She played a judge for me, with reams of text, and handled it all on short notice with great authority and dexterity.”
New England State of Mind
“Polonius is reimagined here as Polonia: a cunning meddling mother whose intrusiveness causes her to meet her fate. Giving a female role to this character is a welcome twist on this classic play, and Polonia is played brilliantly by Karin Trachtenberg.”
Arts Fuse
“Acerbically funny”
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Solo Show
"Trachtenberg is an incredible actress who played both parts, hers and her mothers, to perfection. Not a line, movement or motion on stage was wasted. One of these touches that was a gem—and particularly visibly poignant and perfect—was in a shawl that she wore over her shoulders, but then moved down and arranged so that it looked as if it was her mother’s hand."
Nitelife Exchange: Where Broadway, Jazz and Cabaret Meet
"A quiet, fun, frightening and beautiful performance by Trachtenberg as she wears the mask of her mother…a complicated and universal story all can relate to."
The Front Row Center (NYC)
(4.5 Stars)
"Karin’s performance, using mirrors, humor and dark Disney-esque stylings and mixed media was absolutely riveting."
Noho Arts District (Los Angeles)
"American actress, Karin Trachtenberg is set to enchant Edinburgh Fringe audiences this August with her poignant and affecting show."
The Scotsman