Kirsten Upchurch
Kirsten Upchurch, M.F.A.
Kirsten always says she got her start in theatre very young. Having been born a minister’s daughter, Kirsten was often given up to the congregation to lead songs and tell jokes while her forgetful father reacquired his notes from his office. While this provided her with many stories being a minister’s daughter did not often provide her with outside opportunities. So Kirsten dreamed instead of becoming a doctor, or a ‘Koala Specialist’, or even a minister. However her life was changed by her High School Theatre Teacher, Mary Kay Booher. Mrs. Booher believed in her abilities and talents and encouraged Kirsten to become a leader in class, on stage and as a teacher. Mrs. Booher assigned Kirsten to direct class projects, as well as direct in the Reader’s Theatre Program, and eventually asking her to work as both a volunteer back stage, and as an Assistant Director for the Children’s Theatre Workshop at Weathervane Playhouse, Newark, OH (Ohio’s oldest professional summerstock theatre).
Kirsten graduated from Newark High School, in 1998 and forged onto to college as a Theatre Major and Presidential Scholar at Elon College, in North Carolina. During her freshman year at Elon, Kirsten participated in the Theatre Department as both a Stage Manager and as an actress. In fact upon arrival at college for her freshman year Kirsten was given the opportunity to stage manage the fall production of Children of Eden which had a 40 person cast, with 9 children, and was full Broadway scale. Kirsten was also a member in the community service clubs and was very active in student life.
In 1999, due to unfortunate circumstances, Kirsten was forced to transfer colleges. After careful consideration she decided to finish her degree at Texas Christian University, in Fort Worth. While studying at TCU Kirsten was able to study under renowned artists such as Be Boyd, George H. Brown, and Peggy Loft. Her training provided the resources and practice to adequately focus on the styles and techniques of acting, and speech production, and prepared her for a dynamic teaching career. Among her many accomplishments Kirsten lead the first group of students to SETC (South Eastern Theatre Conference) preliminary auditions, where students had the potential of auditioning for over 100 professional theatre companies. Kirsten graduated from TCU with a B.F.A. in Theatre Performance in 2002.
After TCU Kirsten understood that her dream was to teach theatre and decided to continue her studies as a Joe Jenkins Fellowship recipient at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton. Kirsten attended graduate school from 2002- 2005. During her studies Kirsten worked in depth with professors to tune her personal instrument and to prepare her for a career in teaching as well as performance. Kirsten studied under the guidance of artists: David R. Mann, Bridget Connors, Meade Andrews, Irene Connors, Benny Sato-Ambush, and Saben Epstein. As an M.F.A. student Kirsten was a graduate teaching assistant for the undergraduate & graduate levels of voice for the actor for every semester she was in attendance. Kirsten was also given the opportunity to teach 2 classes in Acting 1, and eventually became the unofficial Department of Theatre ‘Substitute’ and lead several classes while department professors were called away. As an actress Kirsten performed in at least 8/11 major productions while at FAU, often securing major roles, and earned an Irene Ryan nomination. In addition to her work at FAU, Kirsten was given the unique opportunity to work with Palm Beach Drama Works in their production of The Boys Next Door. Kirsten graduated FAU with her M.F.A. in Theatre in 2005.
Following graduate school Kirsten moved to New Hampshire where she worked for The Hampstead Stage Co as a touring actress. The Hamstead Stage Co, better known as The Hampstead Players is a professional children’s theatre company who produces 50 min productions of classic literature. Kirsten performed in three tours. Each tour consisted of two 50 min productions performed in repertory. In between tours Kirsten also worked with The Lakes Region Summer Theatre in Meredith NH as a professional Stage Manager, and with Prospect Mountain High School as a substitute teacher.
After three tours around the country, Kirsten decided it was time to settle down a little and in 2006 returned to Ohio. Kirsten ‘day-lighted’ as a manager for Professional VisionCare, where she was in charge of the training program, and also conducted office meetings designed to improve business with acting principles. During her ‘down time’ Kirsten worked with Bread & Circus Theatre Co, as well as Rosebriar Shakespeare Co as an actress, and eventually volunteered to be the Acting Artistic Director for The Rosebriar Shakespeare Company(Nov 2007). As an Artistic Director, Kirsten was able to give the company a new focus, and begin base line plans for a future education program as well as solidifying the organization of their regular season.
In May 2008 Kirsten found opportunity to return to the theatre where her career began and accepted the position of General Manager for Weathervane Playhouse in Newark Ohio. While working at Weathervane Kirsten became the go to girl for everything. The season was fraught with ups and downs beginning with the unfortunate resignation of the Production Stage Manager before the opening of the 1st production. Kirsten was able to step in last minute and ‘call the show’ a 3 days prior to opening. Among the other duties Kirsten performed in her daily tasks such as finances, and building maintenance, Kirsten also played the role of Titania and assisted with Shakespeare coaching for Weathervane’s conceptual production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
After the Weathervane 2008 season, Kirsten decided to return to sunny Florida to follow her dreams as an actress and teacher. Upon arrival Kirsten was cast in the role of Kitty in The Women’s Theatre Production Silent Heroes, set to run October 3- October 26. Kirsten is thrilled to be continuing her teaching career with the pioneering Performing Arts Center, Artistic Soul Studios. She looks forward to working with the talented and driven staff as the Drama Director.
We are so happy that Kirsten will be joining our team to help usher in our Performing Arts Revolution.