Professional Experience
Digital Resume
A professional overview of my work as a theatre director, educator, artistic leader, performer, and mentor.
Education
Chapman University
Orange, California
2019–2023
Bachelor of Arts
Theatre
Directing & Performance Emphasis
Bachelor of Science
Business Administration
Marketing Emphasis
Academic Distinction
Graduated Magna Cum Laude with departmental honors.
University Recognition
Turner Award: Theatrical Contribution of the Year, 2023
Academic Research Thesis
Why This Post Now?: Dramaturging Politics and Social Media
Presented through Chapman University’s Student Scholar Symposium and published in the Chapman University Digital Commons.
Current Leadership
Artistic and Educational Leadership
2023–Present
Artistic Director of Theatre
Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Oversee the artistic vision and educational direction of Talon Theatre; direct the production season; mentor student actors, designers, technicians, and stage managers; develop theatrical programming; and lead the continued growth of the program.
2023–Present
Head of Acting & Musical Theatre Performance Tracks
Talon Academy of Performing Arts
Design and teach conservatory-style acting and musical theatre curriculum within an intensive four-year training program through which students receive transcript and academic credit.
Directing Experience
Directorial Credits
2026
Alice by Heart
Director
Santa Margarita Catholic High School · Fall 2026
Jagged Little Pill
Assistant Director
Chance Theater · Summer 2026
Anastasia
Director
Santa Margarita Catholic High School · Spring 2026
- Top 10 Musical — Spirit of the MACY Awards
Love & Information
Director
Santa Margarita Catholic High School · Spring 2026
The Outsiders
Director
Santa Margarita Catholic High School · January 2026
- Best Sound in a Play — Talon Clark — Orange County Cappies
2025
Hadestown: Teen Edition
Director
Santa Margarita Catholic High School · Fall 2025
- Best Musical — Spirit of the MACY Awards
- Best Musical — Orange County Cappies Awards
- Best Song, “Wait for Me” — Orange County Cappies
- Best Ensemble in a Musical — The Fates — Orange County Cappies
- Additional recognition in sound, costumes, vocal performance, acting, and stage management
9 to 5: The Musical
Director
Santa Margarita Catholic High School · Spring 2025
2024
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella in Concert
Director
Santa Margarita Catholic High School · Winter 2024
Little Women
Director
Santa Margarita Catholic High School · Fall 2024
- Best Ensemble in a Play — The Little Women — Orange County Cappies
- Best Sets in a Play — Elizabeth Boyer and Isabella Berkman — Orange County Cappies
The Pirate Queen
Director
Santa Margarita Catholic High School · Spring 2024
- Spirit of the MACY Award — Spirit of the MACY Awards
- Top 10 Musical — Spirit of the MACY Awards
- Best Large Ensemble — Spirit of the MACY Awards Additional recognition in acting, marketing and publicity
Earlier Work
Alice in Wonderland
Director
Santa Margarita Catholic High School · Fall 2023
- Best Costumes in a Play — Sarah Atia and Reaghan Genest — Orange County Cappies
The Yellow Boat
Director
Chapman University · Spring 2023
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Assistant Director and Dramaturg
Chapman University · Winter 2023
Bizet’s Carmen
Assistant Director
Lyric Opera Orange County · Summer 2022
Speak Up! Youth Summer Program
Assistant Director
Chance Theater · Summer 2022
Bye Bye Birdie
Director
Conservatory of Performing Arts – Orange County · Spring 2021
Guys and Dolls
Director
Conservatory of Performing Arts – Orange County · Fall 2020
Teaching Experience
Educational Theatre Positions
2023–Present
Head of Acting & Musical Theatre Performance Tracks
Talon Academy of Performing Arts
Develop and teach a four-year conservatory curriculum for students training six hours each week for transcript and academic credit.
2021–2022
Musical Theatre Dance Instructor
Ballet Academy and Movement
Taught musical theatre dance, performance technique, storytelling, and ensemble-based movement.
2020–2021
Production Director and Musical Theatre Instructor
Conservatory of Performing Arts – Orange County
Directed student productions and taught acting, musical theatre performance, character work, and audition technique.
Performance Experience
Theatrical Performance Credits
Something Rotten!
Ensemble
Torrance Theatre Company · Directed by Cary Jordahl
Summer 2025
Freaky Friday
Ensemble · Ellie Understudy
Chapman University · Directed by Sue Vaughan
Spring 2023
Chapman Celebrates
Soloist
Chapman University · Directed by Matt McCray
Spring 2023
Paragon Springs
Lorna Stockman
Torrance Theatre Company · Directed by Jim Hormel
Fall 2022
Hair
Sheila Franklin
Cypress College · Directed by Arthur Ross
Spring 2022
The Toxic Avenger
Mayor · Ma
Cypress College · Directed by Jim Hormel
Spring 2019
Cabaret
Texas · Dance Ensemble
Conservatory of Performing Arts – Orange County · Directed by Casey Garritano
Summer 2019
Spamalot
Dance Ensemble
Conservatory of Performing Arts – Orange County · Directed by Casey Garritano
Summer 2018
Professional Membership
Educational Theatre Association
Professional Member
Theatrical Service
Orange County Cappies
Steering Committee · 2024–2026
Connect
Interested in directing, educational leadership, performance, coaching, or artistic collaboration?
Contact me to begin a conversation or to request a formal résumé, curriculum vitae, teaching materials, or additional professional documents.
Contact Kennedy