Kimberly Braun ’11, actor and singer, is joining the Department of Theatre & Dance, replacing professor Henry MacCarthy for his sabbatical. Braun is a classically trained actor and singer, and has acted professionally at Folger Theatre, Barter Theatre, and Texas Shakespeare Festival. She has also taught throughout the country including at Guthrie Theatre and CalArts. Kimberly is a proud member of Actors Equity Association and Director of the Denali Film Festival.
Welcome to Gustavus! What are you most excited about joining Gusties?
KB: . I am so excited to meet the students and work on some incredible shows this year! We get to dive into acting including movement and voice and I’ll be directing Gloria (by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins). I’m so excited to work with the design team and students on this epic show!
Tell us about the classes and projects you’ll be working on this Fall.
KB: I’ll be teaching acting and a special topics workshop on slow tempo theatre this fall. Auditions are September 13th for the workshop, or if you want to see the performance of solstånd you can join us in The Rob and Judy Gardner Laboratory Theatre December 10-12. This play will be performed without words and is a beautiful, meditative art form. Solstånd means solstice and we’ll be celebrating the need for light in the dark months of the year!
What’s something that students and colleagues should know about you?
KB: I want to have conversations and learn from my students. We are making the next wave of theatre together! We will decide together how we proceed as an art form, and this has far-reaching effects on global politics as we challenge and subvert the status quo. I also believe in grit, that the work we put in is the only thing in our control.
What do you enjoy doing outside of school?
KB: I love growing vegetables, traveling, being outside, and reading!