New World School of the Arts Selects New Dean of Theater

New World School of the Arts, located on the Wolfson campus of Miami
Dade College, is a top-tier performing arts center and conservatory in South
Florida. The program offers cutting-edge, immersive classes in four major
fields of study–Dance, Music, Theater, and Visual Arts. Incredible professors,
as well as visiting world-renowned faculty and famous artists, educate
students ranging from 9th graders to undergrad seniors in college. NWSA
works in conjunction with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami Dade
College, and the University of Florida. Scholars can receive high school
diplomas, Associate's degrees, and Bachelor's degrees accredited by the
National Association of Schools of Dance, Music, Theater, and Art & Design.
The diverse and culturally aware curriculum stays current, with ever-
developing global trends, making it a prestigious school for young aspiring
artists. The school offers many opportunities ranging from exchange
programs to internships to participating in distinctive cultivated events
specific to the region. The program holds a professionally executed and
excellent showcase each spring season called Rising Stars.
The Rising Stars showcase lets students of all ages in the conservatory’s
curriculum share excerpts of their work from the academic school year,
including dance, music, and theater pieces. It also highlights the visual arts
students through a curated exhibition at New World Gallery, housed in the
lobby of the school. This year is no exception from the event, except for a new
Dean of Theater for NWSA–Alan Patrick Kenny, who will be directing the
performance portion of Rising Stars.
New World School of the Arts has selected Alan Patrick Kenny as their
new Dean of Theater for the high school and college levels. Kenny began his
position this past fall, but his time in the field spans over two decades, and he
has racked up more than 85 shows–both at professional and academic levels.
As he continues to build his diverse career, the school welcomes him to start
the next part of his journey.
Alan Patrick Kenny, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, has always involved
himself in the theater from a young age. While an undergrad at NYU
Steinhardt, one of his most notable pre-professional projects materialized–
New Stage Collective. Kenny co-founded New Stage Collective, a ‘no-budget
theater company,’ in 2003 in his hometown with some talented friends from
high school. There, he grew the organization from a nomadic, summer-only
series to a $250,000 operating budget with a year-round season and
permanent rehabbed performance space, over half a decade's worth of
seasons, 32 productions, and 22 regional premieres–gaining 21 production
awards and many more nominations, not to mention cementing his name in
Ohio’s theater scene. He was named “Person of the Year” by Cincinnati
CityBeat magazine for his body of work and contribution to the urban
revitalization of Over-the-Rhine. Kenny graduated from NYU Steinhardt with
a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance with a focus in Music Theatre.
He then went on to graduate school at the University of California, Los Angeles
(UCLA) to earn his MFA in Directing.
After his time as a student, most notably, he not only tenured at the
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point but also worked as the BFA Musical
Theatre Program Coordinator there. From his position at UWSP, he most
recently spent time at Ohio University, where he designed and implemented an
undergraduate certificate program in Actor–Musicianship – the first collegiate
training program of any kind in the US for this unique discipline. Kenny also
designed the curriculum and launched a new Musical Theater track for the BFA
in Theater Performance as Head of Musical Theater at OU.
Beyond those roles, he’s made a name for himself in multiple parts of his
field, including his time as a professional theater pianist, music director, and
conductor. Before he accepted his newest title, he worked for Real-time Music
Solutions and Right On Cue Services as a music technology specialist for
musical theater, who both serve multiple international companies on
numerous productions.
As a working professional, Kenny has worked alongside and assisted
many notable directors, including Tony Award-winner Robert Falls, Jonathan
Moscone, Ed Stern, Michael McLain, and Robert Kelley. In addition, he’s lent
his voice and perspective, speaking at multiple conferences, and is an active
member of the Musical Theatre Educators’ Alliance. Along with speaking
opportunities, Alan’s publications include “Hamilton and the Liminal Director:
Navigating the Space Between Writer and Star,” co-penned alongside Mary Jo
Lodge, published in Dueling Grounds: Revolution and Revelation in the Musical
Hamilton by Oxford University Press.
As the end of winter draws nearer, New World School of the Arts’ annual
showcase, Rising Stars, is just around the corner–with its signature
Broadway-style performance on Friday, March 10 followed by an exhibition
that runs from March 16-April 7. Kenny, with his background, is geared up and
ready to help direct his students in the preparation of the show. As an educator,
musician, and director himself, he is very well suited for the work and care that
goes into a production of this size. Kenny’s diverse background pairs well with
the program's mission and will be sure to usher in another highly talented
generation of scholars at NWSA. The dedication shown through his portfolio of
work thus far can only mean bright futures ahead for NWSA, and even more so,
the students participating in the Rising Stars showcase.
Please visit their website for more information about Alan Patrick
Kenny, New World School of the Arts, and Rising Stars. The site also provides
information on both General Admission and VIP tickets and how to purchase
them. Below you can find productions Kenny participated in spanning his
career.
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