KATHY D. HARRISON
Artistic Director - Arts Administrator - Arts Educator
Watch excerpts from works created, directed, composed by Kathy D. Harrison
January 2016- An excerpt of The Movement Musical- written by Kathy D. Harrison was presented during a live web-cast of WNYC at the Greene Space in New York. Kathy partnered Diversity Youth Theater with the vocal performance group, The Special Ensemble for the 2016 tour.
Excerpt from Musical Theatre Project at Luna Stage Theatre in West Orange, NJ
Song Title: More
lyrics/music/director: Kathy D. Harrison
A work created through 7 weeks of devised theatre workshops.
In 2012, Kathy was contracted by the Newark Pride Alliance to write a song for the LGBT Anti-Bullying Campaign. She wrote and produced the theme for distribution.
She started the Colors of Pride singers to perform the theme song, "Courage to Be Yourself" at varying awareness events throughout 2012-2013. The undergrad college students participated in workshops to learn how to facilitate discussions around the topic of Bullying.
Summer 2013 & 2014, Kathy piloted the Young Urban Artists Retreat through Diversity Youth Theater, in partnership with Look Out Camp in upstate Michigan. 15 young artists from urban communities road trip from NJ to Michigan. The retreat allows them to explore their artistic voices collaboratively in a rustic environment. Through Fundraising efforts, selected students receive full funding .
Catherine Geller, 2012 Summer Camp Intern- NYU Student
"Ms. Kathy D. Harrison, is brilliant and inspiring at what she does. She gives students the courage and confidence to chase after their dreams. As an intern, I, myself learned a vast capacity of theater techniques and performance aspects as well. She has created a program for aspiring artists learning to develop their craft with any level of experience in a supportive atmosphere. Ms. Harrison has the best sense of humor and will always put a smile on your face. Watching her lead and teach, has motivated me to strive to be the best person I can be."
Na'jee Esmond- Student, College Teaching Artist, Musical Theatre Major at New Jersey City University
"Kathy D. Harrison is an amazing teacher mentor and leader...and she is phenomenal at what she does. There isn't one young person that she has worked with that hasn't been inspired by her amazing talent and wisdom."
Working with Ms. Kathy Harrison has been a life changing experience for me! Who knew that walking through those audition doors back in 2009 was the beginning of a magical journey. At the time, I was at a major crossroads in my life, I was a senior in high school trying to decide whether or not majoring in the arts was the right decision for me.
Ms. Kathy helped me to believe in myself. Being with DYT also allowed me to open up and form bonds with people who are now valued members of my support system. People who are like family to me."
Kathy faciliated workshops to develop original music to support the monologues written from the account of homeless young women living in the transitional shelter, Sierra House. The project was mounted at SOPAC in South Orange, NJ to help raise funds to continue the efforts of the shelter. After weeks of workshops of devised theater, Kathy directed and staged the final project.