Kirstin O'Brien

Kirstin holds a B.A. in Musical Theatre from James Madison University and an M.F.A. in Theatre Performance Pedagogy from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has performed and directed/assistant directed at theatres around the country including Signature Theatre (Washington, D.C.), Studio Theatre, Flat Rock Playhouse, Olney Theatre, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, Adventure Theatre MTC, Imagination Stage and One Light Theatre Company. Kirstin has been nominated for two Helen Hayes Awards, one for Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical (JERRY SPRINGER: THE OPERA) and one for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical (A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD). She won a Helen Hayes Award for Best Ensemble in a Musical (HAIRSPRAY) with Signature Theatre.

Keene State College's Theatre and Dance department directing credits include REALLY REALLY, MAKE ME A SONG, FUN HOME, URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD, STOP KISS, COMPANY, A...MY NAME IS ALICE, and LITTLE WOMEN. Recent professional Directing/Assistant Directing credits include CABARET, PROOF, SPRING AWAKENING, LES MISERABLES and XANADU.

Kirstin combines her love for musical theatre, theatre history, and a focus on gender and sexuality in theatre throughout her work and continues to research and grow as an artist on a daily basis. Courses she teaches include: Acting, Audition Technique, Musical Theatre Performance, Theatre History and Literature, Capstone, Gender and Sexuality in Theatre, Voice and Movement, Psychology of a Character.

Kirstin is a member of the Actors Equity Association (AEA) and The Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). She also serves as a Production Respondent for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (Region One) and an Adjudicator for the New Hampshire Educational Theatre Guild.

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”