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.