KIRSTEN MCKINNEY
Summary
Highly motivated and energetic arts visionary of 30 years with expertise in program building, curriculum development, recruitment, and retention strategies for students and faculty. Excellent organized arts educator, offering a creative student-centered curriculum. A passionate leader who engages and inspires through active and empathic listening, detailed vision, strategies with a well-planned path forward, and who motivates through enthusiasm and transparency. Seeking a challenging role in a collaborative organization, who are passionate and active in DEI work.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Director Of Theater
St. Paul's School
Concord , NH
2022.07 - Current
- Develop vision, curriculum, and media content materials, mentor teaching fellows, and teach theater courses.
- Selected and coached Monologues and Scenes for all classes; Developed Acting Showcases from studio work; Responsible for all Evaluation of Students
- Humanities V Elective in Humanities Department - Public Speaking; Created and Developed Curriculum, Evaluation of all student presentations and written work; Help guide and train students in technology used to support speeches
- Student Directing Series; Develop Curriculum; Guide students to One Act choices; Guide students through all aspects of directing, and playwriting collaboration; Guided student producers in all aspects of production.
- Director/Choreographer Plays and Musicals; Select Material Based on the needs and talents of the School; Casting; Scheduling; Collaborate with Artistic team of 9; Manage Budget; Oversee all artistic and PR aspects; Coordinate Student Technical Assignments; Coordinate all Sports Schedules
- Admissions and Recruitment; Develop the supplement requirements; Contact all Theater, interested students; View video admissions; Meeting and tours with prospective families; Virtual meetings with families and students; Give admissions ratings for prospective students; Database entry
- Advisor to 6-7 students a term
Theater Teacher
The Flint Hill School
Oakton , VA
2021.08 - 2022.01
- Create, develop, and teach all Middle School and High School Theater courses
- Playwriting; Developed Curriculum; Coached and developed the writing and scene work; Developed Showcases; Evaluate Students
- Improvisation; Developed Curriculum; Coached Scenes; Developed Skills for creative short-form Improvs; Evaluate Students
- Scene Study; Developed Curriculum; Coached Monologues and Scenes; Developed Acting Showcases; Evaluate Students
- Director of all Productions; Select Musical and plays Based on the needs and talents of the School; Casting; Scheduling; Collaborate with Artistic team of 5; Manage Budget; Oversee all artistic and PR aspects; Direct and Choreograph cast of 60-plus; Coordinate Parent Volunteers; Coordinate all Sports Schedules
- Admissions and Recruitment; Develop the supplement requirements; Contact all Theater, interested students; View video admissions; Meeting and tours with prospective families; Read portfolios; Conduct students interviews; Write reports, and sit in on group meetings for discussions
Director of Dance
The Kinkaid School
Houston , TX
2017.08 - 2021.08
- Developed/Created Safety at Home Procedures, Innovative Curriculum to train all aspects the dancers body, safe from a distance, Developed Creative and Fun ways to maintain Joy and Community
- Develop/Guide Vertical Curriculum grades 1-12;Artistic Director of Fall Concert and Spring Student Choreography Rep Concert; Teach Advanced Dance ( Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Choreography); Advance Dance Curriculum/Evaluate Students – 2 classes; Manage Budget; Choreograph several pieces for the Fall concert; Oversee all artistic and PR aspects; Manage Dance Faculty; Coordinate Parent Volunteers; Coordinate Student Officers and Students of the National Honors Society of Dance Arts; Community Service Outreach Project Sponsor
- Director/Choreographer Upper School Musical; Select Musical Based on needs and talents of School; Casting/scheduling; Collaborate with Artistic team of 6; Manage Budget; Oversee all artistic and PR aspects; Direct and Choreograph cast of 60- plus; Coordinate Parent Volunteers; Coordinate all Sports Schedules
- Theater I and II - Acting Courses; Developed Curriculum; Coached Monologues and Scenes; Developed Acting Showcases; Evaluate Students
- Admissions and Recruitment; Contact all Theater, interested students; Meeting and tours with prospective families; Database entry; Day-to-day contact with families; Recruit for the Theater Program and Dance Program
Theater Faculty/Director/Chorepgraher
Walnut Hill School for the Arts
Natick , MA
1994.06 - 2017.08
- Developed Musical Theater Curriculum, Movement/Dance Manager, Director/Choreographer
- Musical Theater Acting; Senior Faculty and Lead Teacher for Musical Theater Courses I -IV; Responsible for Student evaluations, and all course materials
- Movement/Dance Manager; Developed Curriculum for All levels of Musical Theater Dance; I-IV; Advise in the hiring of movement faculty; Oversee Curriculum and evaluate faculty; Give Master classes in Musical Theater Styles and Choreographers
- Director/Choreographer; Resident Director/Choreographer for yearly fall musical; Responsible for all artistic decisions including show choice. Choreograph all Theater Department musicals; Act as movement advisor and choreographer to other directors; Choreograph all school benefit performances that include the theater department; Developed, and Created the Freshmen/Sophomore Revue
- Musical Theater Teen Intensive – Outreach Programing 2007-2017; Oversee the budget, payroll, faculty evaluations hiring; Correspond with students and parents; Developed Curriculum for 7th-12th graders; Teach musical theater dance and musical theater acting; Coordinate all receptions for the final day of demonstrations
- Walnut Hill Theater Academy Director 1996-2010; Developed curriculum and taught all courses for ages K-9; Course included Creative Arts, Playwriting, Acting I & II, Musical Theater I, II, III,; Company Class (Acting, Musical Theater, Dance); Responsible for approval and development of publicity/marketing along with Marketing Director; Coordination of teaching and performance space; Hiring of faculty, payroll, budget; Coordination of tours for local out reach performances; All communication with parents and students including database; All aspects of performance from ticket sales to reception
Lecturer in Dance
Boston College
Boston , MA
2005.08 - 2013.08
- Responsible for all curriculum, teaching and evaluation of students
Lecture in Dance
Emerson College
Boston , MA
1995.08 - 1997.08
- Responsible for curriculum and teaching dance/choreographic styles, Evaluation of students, Choreographic Advisor
Education
B.F.A. - Musical Theater; Minor Chorepgraphy
Boston Conservatory
Boston, MASkills
- Arts Leadership
- Excellent Organizational Skills
- Communication Skills
- Project Coordination/Management
- Vision/ Strategic Planning
- Verbal and written communication
- Budget Management
- Faculty Hiring and Retention
- Creativity and Innovation
- Curriculum Assessment/development
Accomplishments
Tommy Tune Award for Best Choreography - 9 to 5
Tommy Tune Award Nominations for Best Direction, Choreography and Musical -9 to 5
Tommy Tune Award for Best Choreography - Crazy for You
Tommy Tune Award Nominations for Best Direction, Choreography, and Musical -Crazy for You
I.R.N.E Award for Best Choreography - Pirates of Penzance
Winner KCACTF Ensemble Award - Metamorphoses - Choreographer for Boston College
D.A.S.H Award Nomination For Best Ensemble - A Chorus Line - Cassie
Associate Artistic Director Anna Sokolow Dance Foundation - Currently
Principal Dancer for Sokolow Now! - 10 years
Resident Choreographer for SpeakEasy Stage Company - 12 seasons
New England Theater Conference: Choreography for the Non-Dancer
New England Theater Conference: Musical Theater Ensemble Workshop
ProArts Consortium: Audition Workshop Panel
Indiana University of Pennsylvania: Choreography for the Non-Dancer / Safety
A Workshop for Secondary School Teachers
Timeline
Director Of Theater
St. Paul's School
2022.07 - Current
Theater Teacher
The Flint Hill School
2021.08 - 2022.01
Director of Dance
The Kinkaid School
2017.08 - 2021.08
Lecturer in Dance
Boston College
2005.08 - 2013.08
Lecture in Dance
Emerson College
1995.08 - 1997.08
Theater Faculty/Director/Chorepgraher
Walnut Hill School for the Arts
1994.06 - 2017.08
B.F.A. - Musical Theater; Minor Chorepgraphy
Boston Conservatory
Similar Profiles
Trent ParettiTrent Paretti
Youth Soccer Coach at St. Paul's SchoolYouth Soccer Coach at St. Paul's School
Mary Beth BallweberMary Beth Ballweber
Fifth Grade Homeroom Teacher/Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator at St. Margaret SchoolFifth Grade Homeroom Teacher/Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator at St. Margaret School
Josephine EdmondsJosephine Edmonds
Junior Classroom Teacher at Frankton SchoolJunior Classroom Teacher at Frankton School