KRISTEN HANSEN
4326 Tradewinds Dr. Oxnard,California
Summary
Theatre educator, director, and writer with a background in acting instruction, curriculum planning, and student mentorship across classroom and production settings. Brings strong skills in lesson design, scene study, improvisation, and showcase coordination, with a focus on inclusive learning, performance readiness, and creative development.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Acting Teacher
Dance For Wellness
Los Angeles, California
09.2026 - Current
- Planned expressive warmups combining movement, voice, and stage presence for over 100 students.
- Guided script reading, character development, and scene preparation, enhancing students' performance skills across age groups.
- Directed improvisation exercises for confidence and creative response.
- Adapted lessons for mixed ages and skill levels at Dance for Wellness, fostering inclusive learning for all students, including those with special needs.
- Coordinated student showcase event to highlight performances for peers and faculty. to present for their assembly performance.
Sunkist Elementary School Musical Director
Dance For Wellness
Port Hueneme, California
08.2026 - Current
- Created a thirty minute performance musical of Matilda for Sunkist Elementary School starring over thirty five students.
- Facilitated student role assignments to promote collaboration and teamwork in the production. and assigned roles, fostering a collaborative and engaging environment.
- Coached young actors ages seven through eleven on blocking, pacing, and character development.
- Managed production schedules with stage managers and crew, ensuring timely preparation and smooth execution of performances.
- Collaborated with designers to create sets, lighting, costumes, and sound, enhancing overall production quality at OPAC Theatre.
- Led performance notes sessions for young cast and creative staff.
Theatre Creator
Self/ KADM Productions
Los Angeles
06.2026 - Current
- Created, wrote, produced, and acted in Mary and Margo Art Experience and Mary and Margo's Halloween Sideshow of Madness, showcasing innovative theatrical productions in the greater Los Angeles area.
- WINNER OF HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FESTIVAL AWARD- THEATRE 68
- Performed engaging stand-up comedy at open mics for Mary and Margo, entertaining diverse audiences and building community connections.
- Directed video shoots and developed content for Mary and Margo channel, enhancing viewer engagement and brand presence.
- Developed original content concepts for Self and KADM Productions projects
Guest Speaker
Florida State. Pierce Community College
Los Angeles. , CA
04.2024 - Current
- Presented guest lectures at Florida State University and Pierce Community College on acting techniques.
- Conducted auditions for local students, facilitating their participation in professional film projects.
- Developed lesson plans for Filming with iPhone, focusing on independent cinema principles.
Sonny Boy Feature Film Director
Brooklyn Seoul Productions
Oakland, CA
01.2017 - Current
- Received Audience Choice Award at Dances With Films festival for outstanding film presentation.
- Won best feature film at Toronto Independent Arts Film Festival.
- Directed and produced original feature film, coordinating efforts of 26 cast members to ensure cohesive storytelling.
- Organized pre-production by establishing budgets, hiring cast and crew, and securing necessary permits to facilitate smooth production process.
- Developed and produced marketing videos and media to effectively generate audience interest and promote film.
Elite Theatre Company Acting On Camera Teacher
Elite Theater Company
Oxnard
03.2024 - 12.2024
- Managed production for Life On My Knees at Elite Theater, coordinating casting and rehearsals to ensure a cohesive performance.
- Designed and executed lesson plans aligned with curriculum objectives, enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes.
- Participated in professional development workshops to refine teaching methods and stay updated on curriculum changes, fostering continuous improvement in instructional practices.
Film Director
Keeping It 100 Series
Los Angeles, CA
06.2017 - 06.2019
- Directed and co-edited series, Keeping It 100, which premiered on Amazon Prime.
- Scheduled production team meetings to align creative vision and coordinate shooting schedule for thirty-member cast.
- Implemented post-production workflows, ensuring timely project completion within budget constraints.
Theatre Intro and Playwriting Teacher
Star Education Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
04.2013 - 06.2014
- Guided students in finalizing ten-minute plays for an end-of-year showcase, featuring performances by professional Los Angeles actors, showcasing student talent and creativity.
- Developed engaging lessons in playwriting and theatre history using improvisation, theatre games, and puppet making, fostering creativity and collaboration among students.
- Educated students in playwriting and theatre history through after school programs, enhancing their creative expression and understanding of dramatic arts.
Producer
Founder of Live the Exit Theatre Company
Los Angeles , CA
02.2011 - 02.2012
- Built a collaborative artistic team for productions at Live The Exit Theatre Company. of Live The Exit Theatre Company that produced shows: Miss Julie and The Shape of Things.
- Produced Miss Julie with full artistic team reviewed in Backstage Magazine with lighting designer, Michael Gend.
Voice and Improvisational Games Teacher
Rutgers' Summer Acting Conservatory
New Brunswick, NJ
06.2008 - 09.2009
- Cultivated strong, professional young actors as a voice, diction, and theatre games educator at Rutgers Summer Acting Conservatory.
- Implemented Fitz Morris and Alexander breathing techniques using Ibsen, Shaw, Shakespeare, Greek monologue literature.
- Coordinated with administrative/operational teams for the end of the term student showcases demonstrating students' work in voice and diction.
Teacher
Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts
New Brunswick, NJ
09.2006 - 05.2008
- Taught basic acting utilizing Meisner Technique and Uta Hagen's Respect for Acting to enhance students' foundational skills.
- Assigned journal entries, quizzes, and performance exercises, providing feedback through a rubric system to track student progress.
- Encouraged students to direct and write personal presentations, fostering collaboration and creativity among classmates.
Education
Acting/Directing
Stuart Rogers Studio
Los Angeles 01-2020
Intern - Theatre Arts
The Actors' Gang
Culver City 09-2011
Master of Fine Arts - Acting
Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of The Arts
New Brunswick, NJ01-2008
Scholarship - Acting
Guthrie Experience
Guthrie Theatre 09-2007
Bachelor of Theatre Arts - Theatre Arts
California State University
Northridge, CA01-2003
Skills
- Teaching: Classroom Management, Voice, Theatre Games, World Theatre
- Acting
- Directing Theater/Film
- Lesson Planning
- Curriculum Development
- Acting
- Student Mentorship
- Event Coordination
- Producing
- Theatre management
- Resource Allocation
- Script Development
Accomplishments
* Sundance. Actress. Short film: Someone Cares. 2025
* Dances With Films: Director. Audience Choice Award. Sonny Boy
* Toronto Independent Arts Film Festival: Best Feature Film. Sonny Boy
*SAG Actor, Women in Film member
* Sonny Boy Feature Film Director/Executive Producer. Directed and produced in three states.
* Creator and Writer of I WIll Love (The Webseries) - Most anticipated new series by Indieweb
* Jury Prize Winner for Already Gone - Collaboration Filmmaker's Challenge (Best Actress and Best Film )
* Project Greenlight and Shutter Participant 2017 for Switcher (Director, Writer)
* The Nicest - Most viewed film on Collaboration Filmmakers Website
* Warner Bros. Screen Lot Participant/Finalist for short film Progress (Director, Writer, Executive Producer)
* Sticks and Stones (Director- Multi-Award Winning film: Austin International Art Festival, Hollywood Film Club Festival, LA Independent Women Film Awards, California Indies, Los Angeles Theatrical Release Competition, Oregon Screams Horror Film Festival, Zed Horror Film Festival)
* Keeping It 100 (Director) Amazon Prime
* Fairlane Road (Actress) Netflix
References
REFERENCES
Nick Maccarone
Florida State University
Professor in Acting
n_maccarone@yahoo.com
(510) 710- 6207
John Dabrowski
Expanding Entertainment (Department of Photography: "House Hunters")
Colleague and Owner of Expanding Entertainment
johndabrowski@yahoo.com
(860) 716- 4411
Marshall Jones
Associate Dean for Equality/ Head of BA Theater/ Director of Rutgers Community Arts Summer Acting Conservatory
Mentor
mjones3@mgsa.rutgers.edu
(848) 932-1145
Angela DeCicco
Artistic Director of The Elite Theatre
Friend/Mentor
deciccowhisper@yahoo.com
(310) 600- 7251
Michael Gend
Department Chair of Pierce Community Theatre
michael.gend@gmail.com
(818) 448-4225
Additional Information
- FILM , Film and Acting Resume available upon request
Affiliations
- Member, Rutgers Alumni Association
- Taught Commedia Del Arte for one week acting program through The Actor's Gang Prison Project
- Member, Women in Film
Timeline
Acting Teacher
Dance For Wellness
09.2026 - Current
Sunkist Elementary School Musical Director
Dance For Wellness
08.2026 - Current
Theatre Creator
Self/ KADM Productions
06.2026 - Current
Guest Speaker
Florida State. Pierce Community College
04.2024 - Current
Elite Theatre Company Acting On Camera Teacher
Elite Theater Company
03.2024 - 12.2024
Film Director
Keeping It 100 Series
06.2017 - 06.2019
Sonny Boy Feature Film Director
Brooklyn Seoul Productions
01.2017 - Current
Theatre Intro and Playwriting Teacher
Star Education Foundation
04.2013 - 06.2014
Producer
Founder of Live the Exit Theatre Company
02.2011 - 02.2012
Voice and Improvisational Games Teacher
Rutgers' Summer Acting Conservatory
06.2008 - 09.2009
Teacher
Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts
09.2006 - 05.2008
Acting/Directing
Stuart Rogers Studio
Intern - Theatre Arts
The Actors' Gang
Master of Fine Arts - Acting
Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of The Arts
Scholarship - Acting
Guthrie Experience
Bachelor of Theatre Arts - Theatre Arts
California State University