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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

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