KATHY D. HARRISON
Artistic Director - Arts Administrator - Arts Educator
Brief Bio
Writer, Lyricist, Composer, Director, Arts Educator
Writer, Lyricist, Composer, Director, Arts Educator
Kathy D. Harrison is a multi-disciplined performing artist, songwriter and playwright. She has a particular knack for creating musical theater projects, as it is the ideal platform to merge her storytelling, songwriting, acting and movement abilities. Her works have been produced by varying theater companies and presented at colleges and significant events.
Her original musical titled, The Movement- An A Cappella Musical, was selected to perform for the 2019 New York Theater Festival - Winterfest, the 2015 National Black Theatre Festival, Puffin Foundation and The Greene Space - WNYC live webcast. Her musical Southern Boys - Sons of Sharecroppers was featured at the 2017 National Black Theatre Festival and will be presented by Charleston Black Theater in October 2019.
With an extensive background as a Arts Educator, Kathy D. Harrison was selected to be a recipient of the Jubilation Foundation 2 Years Artist Fellowship. She has spent the past 15 years working successfully in Arts Administration and Arts Management, designing theater, music and dance curriculum for school programs, social service agencies, and non-profit efforts. Social advocacy and purpose driven creative arts, are Ms. Harrison's lifelong commitment and purpose.
She is a visionary leader with a strong entrepreneurial drive. She is the Founder and Managing Artistic Director for Diversity Youth Theater; a performing arts company based in NJ. Merging her creative abilities with her management skills, she developed several unique Arts projects that helped to brand the grass-roots company into a reputable establishment. In 2014, she started Performing Artists United, a membership based arts collective for young adults. The membership based ensemble company develops original works for touring purposes, while also serving as the leadership umbrella for Diversity Youth Theater.
A graduate of Adrian College in Michigan, she holds a B.A. in Media Communications and Theatre. Kathy D. is also a skilled audio and video editor. Ms. Harrison has been contracted to teach Media workshops to young people. She is also contracted to design marketing materials, record and edit live performances for varying companies.