KATHY D. HARRISON
Artistic Director - Arts Administrator - Arts Educator
RESUME- Kathy D. Harrison
Performing Arts Professional experienced as an Artistic Director, Producer, Teaching Artist
Accomplished background in mounting Theater, Music and Dance projects with social awareness themes
Proven succes in the Development, Implementation & Evaluation of Arts Programs
Strong experience in Volunteer Recruitment, Management and Retention for projects
Skilled in budget management, securing grants and spearheading Fundraising efforts
Noteworthy leader with excellent staff development and team building skills
Solid Administrative skills: write reports, compile statistical data, convincing presentations
Entrepreneurial background, strong work ethic, high degree of self accountability
Excellent interpersonal skills, diplomatic team member, youth and arts advocate
Managing Artistic Director
Diversity Youth Theater Orange, NJ 2006-2016
Summary
Work
Experience
Visionary leader of a performing arts company that specializes in youth and family audiences. Developed year round performing arts programming, educational touring shows and seasonal productions. Entrepreneurial venture that grew from grass roots effort to a notable theatre company with partnerships in Essex County of New Jersey. Currently serve as Advisor/Creative Contributor.
Arts Education
Manage the Educational Touring Ensemble comprised of 10 select college students studying theatre.
Book the Educational Touring Ensemble at various schools, college functions and community events.
Develop Arts Education Curriculum for Tuition Based programming and Arts Residencies at schools.
Secure performing arts residencies at schools, community centers and group homes.
Plan all of the logistics for the final culmination events for arts residencies at varying partnerships.
Hire and Trained Teaching Artists from diverse discipline; Music, Acting, Musical Theatre, Dance, Poetry.
Pilot the Young Urban Artist Retreat; spearheaded the successful 'crowd sourcing' fundraiser initiative.
Write and Direct two history based educational shows per year.
Design & Manag 7 weeks Summer Performing Arts Program for Junior (7-12 yrs) & Senior (13-17yrs) Ensembles
Seasonal Productions
Oversee the production of 2 full length original musicals, and several student music, dance and acting showcases.
Serve as the Director and/or Producer of projects.
Secure locations for auditions, rehearsals and tuition based classes.
Recruit and Hire the Technical Crew for productions.
Marketing/Public Relations
Conceive and designed promotional materials for company.
Design, maintain and update company website, send e-blasts and newsletters to contact list.
Write and submitted Press Releases to key media outlets.
Manage the sale of local business ads in the production playbills to increase project budget.
Recruit and Manag PR interns to manage the on-line networks for company
Utilizing media background, videotape and edit shows with Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere
Determine project budgets, secure funding via private donations, booking fees and fundraiser events
Managed a Regional Mentoring Program for a National Youth Organization that provided After-school and Summer Camp Programming for children of incarcerated parents. Increased the Mentors and Volunteers significantly in 6 months. In 2011, The NJ Mentoring Program was featured on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360.
Successfully identified new recruitment strategies to increase Mentor & Volunteer population at Site
Screened potential Mentors/Volunteers by conducting background checks: Fingerprint, Interview, references
Determined suitable Mentor/Mentee match based on knowledge of adults and children
Monitored weekly Mentoring sessions and Volunteer workshops to ensure sustainability
Led initial 4 hours training workshops and supplemental 1 hr trainings every 8 weeks
Focused on creating a diverse Volunteer population (i.e., Retired Seniors, Young Professionals, Disabled)
Created age appropriate Mentoring and Volunteer activities (Character development via arts, sports, music
Planned and coordinated special events: Recruitment Fairs, Awards Dinner, Field Trips, Carnivals
Partnered with colleges, corporations and community organizations for group volunteer projects
Managed the Mentor/Volunteer database system utilizing Salesforce.com
Provided timely monthly reports regarding mentor program for federal grant purposes
Spokesperson for NJ site for news articles, TV appearances and radio interviews
Taught bi-monthly performing arts workshops to children in program
REGIONAL MENTOR COORDINATOR
SUMMER ASSISTANT CAMP DIRECTOR
U.S. Dream Academy, Inc. East Orange, NJ
2009-2012 (Part Time)
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
RETREAT COORDINATOR
1199SEIU Child Care Corporation New York, NY
2006-2008 (Contract)
Key Leadership Team member that planned and implemented 2006,2007 Summer Camps in Springfield Gardens. During the Fall of 2006,2007 and 2008, worked in Leadership Roles for the Workforce 2000 Teen Retreats. Managed allocated project budgets. Direct Supervisor for staff
Designed Summer Day Camp program : created daily schedule, program objectives, activities
Responsible for the daily oversight of Summer Camp located in Springfield Gardens, NY
Ensured adherence to State Code regulations. Managed on-site audits.
Certified as Health Director (First Aid, CPR cert.), Fire Safety Marshall Certified for site.
Recruited, Hired, Trained and Evaluated all staff: counselors, teaching artists
Organized and Led camper recruitment and Parent Orientations Sessions
Planned & Handled logistics for Teen weekend retreats at Camp Mariah, NY
Skills
Photoshop (Media Designs)
Microsoft Office (Word, Excel)
Adobe Premiere (Video Editing)
Final Cut (Video Editing)
Broadcast Journalism
TV Production
Playwright
Lyricist
Composer
Piano
Published Songwriter (ASCAP)
1997 B.A., Communications: Media
Minor: Theatre
Adrian College, MI
Education
Experience
Timeline
2013-2016 Company Performer, Paper Bag Players, New York, NY
2006-2016 Managing Artisitic Director, Diversity Youth Theater Orange, NJ
2011 Musical Theater Teaching Artist, Arts Horizon/Luna Stage Theater Inc., West Orange, NJ
2009-2012 Regional Mentor Coordinator/Camp Director, U.S. Dream Academy, East Orange, NJ
2007-2008 Program Director, Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless Elizabeth, NJ
2006-2008 Camp Director/Retreat Coordinator 1199SEIU Child Care Corporation New York
2006-2007 Theater, Music, Playwrighting Teaching Artist, The Leadership Program, New York
2006-2007 Drama Teacher, School of The Future/Educational Alliance, New York, NY
2005-2006 Step Teacher Teaching Artist, NY Educational Alliance, School of The Future, NY, NY
2006 Performing Arts Department Head, Sussex Camp, Sussex, NJ
2004-2006 Company Performer, Paper Bag Players, New York, NY
2004 Musical Theater Director, African Globe Theater Company, Newark, NJ
2004 Video Instructor/Videographer, Upward Bound, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ
2002-2004 Enrollment Services Representative, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ
2001 Video & Media Director, Long Lake Camp for the Arts, Long Lake, NY
2000-2002 Theater Club Director, Stanhope Department of Education, Stanhope, NJ
1999-2001 Video Editor/Camera Person Celebration Studios, Saddlebrook, NJ
1998-1999 Video Editor, Janet Studios, Ocean Township, NJ
1997 Camp Director, Engineering Your Imagination, Look Out Camp, Frankfort, MI
1994-1996 Counselor/Day Camp Director/Program Director, Crystalaire Camp, Frankfort, MI
2010 - present
2010 - present