乐播传媒

• CU faculty member since 2016
• MFA Yale School of Drama, Acting
• BA Grinnell College, Theatre and Religious Studies

Research Interests

Shakespeare's original practices,听the intersection of Shakespeare and civic engagement and the development of new work inspired by our classics.

Kevin served as the Artistic Director of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival from 2012-17, producing vibrant, theatrical productions of Shakespeare鈥檚 plays including an all-male original practices production of听Much Ado About Nothing听and听Hamlet听starring Deborah Staples in the title role.听 He launched a new work initiative, leading to productions such as听Failure: A Love Story听by Philip Dawkins,听Love's Labor's Won听by听Scott Kaiser,听and most recently, the commission and premiere of听I Heart Juliet,听a hip-hop adaptation of听Romeo and Juliet听by the internationally-acclaimed Q Brothers, which he directed. He also co-created a new Halloween tradition,听ShakesFEAR, with director Andy Park.

Additionally,听his series of 45-minute adaptations of Shakespeare鈥檚 plays,听The Billy Shakespeare Project,听were the centerpiece of the ISF Touring Company, which performed for over 5,000 students in Central Illinois since 2013.听 Kevin helped redesign the MFA Acting program at Illinois State University, creating a deeper connection to the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and incorporating a unique focus on civic engagement.听 To this end, he brought in grant-funded听guest artists from community-based companies听Roadside Theatre, the Civilians, and Shakespeare Behind Bars to share their methodologies with his students, which they used in the development of original work in conjunction with civic partners such as YouthBuild, Friends Forever, and the Cancer Community Center.

Professional Acting Experience Includes:听

Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Arvada Center Black Box, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Chicago Shakespeare, Milwaukee Shakespeare, Kentucky Shakespeare, Shakespeare & Company, Portland Center Stage, San Jose Rep, Yale Rep and the American Theatre Company, as well as network commercials for Wendy's, Aquafina and Dunkin' Donuts.

Directing Credits Include:

Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Nebraska Repertory Theater, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, American Shakespeare Center, Illinois State University, Bradley University, Kenyon College, Carthage College, and the University of Wisconsin - Parkside.听 His play for young audiences,听The Magical Mind of Billy Shakespeare, is published by Playscripts, Inc.

Awards

2016 University Creative Initiative Award (Illinois State University); 2015听University Research Initiative Award (Illinois State University); 2015听Ibin Directing Fellowship (Bradley University);听First Alternate for the 2010听Theatre听Communications听Group Fox Fellowship; Oliver Thorndike Acting Award at Yale School of Drama.

Previous Teaching Experience Includes

Illinois State University, Kenyon College, and Carthage College.听In 2008, he formed his own workshop company, and he continues to facilitate workshops in colleges, high schools, and theatre festivals around the country. He is a member of Actors' Equity Association听and SAG-AFTRA and a Certified Associate Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework庐.