Kimberly Colburn - Resume
ARTISTIC VISION AND PRODUCING LEADERSHIP
Decades of experience in artistic departments at multiple theatres with a focus on new play development, in addition to active freelance dramaturgy experience.
As Co-Director for the Pacific Playwrights Festival (PPF), directed all aspects of Pacific Playwrights Festival from artistic producing to audience building. Managed and attracted theatre professionals; growing their annual attendance from less than 100 to an average of 180. Successful change in management strategy to cement PPF cross- departmentally within the fabric of the organization so that employees did not view the festival as ancillary or a separate event but instead as part of the mission of the theatre.
As Literary Director for South Coast Repertory (SCR), directed and managed between 55-65 commissions at any given time, scouting and recommending 8-10 new commissions per year at all levels of playwriting experience. Leader in all artistic planning from scouting and programming through production, including producing readings and workshops as needed.. Actively participated in all artistic discussions and producing conversations, helping to shape each production.
As Senior Producer of New Work for Soulpepper Theatre, produced the Her Words women-identified new works festival in partnership with the Harbourfront Centre. Designed the festival around the various development stages of each commission was in, from unwritten to production-ready.
Freelance Dramaturg, Script Reader, and/or Evaluator for dozens of organizations in the U.S. and Canada including: Actors Theatre of Louisville, Denver Center Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Playwrights Center, The O’Neill Theatre Conference, PlayPenn, Native Voices at the Autry, Mixed Blood Theatre, IAMA Theatre company (Los Angeles), Artists at Play (Los Angeles), National Endowment of the Arts (NEA), Leah Ryan Prize, Literary Manager and Dramaturgs of the Americas (LMDA), Network of Ensemble Theatres (NET), National New Play Network (NNPN), Soulpepper Theatre (Toronto), Musical Theatre Company (Toronto), Oregon Contemporary Theatre, Local Theatre Company (Colorado).
HOW I WORK
In order to build artistic community, I practice open and transparent communication at all times.
My experience shows a proven track record of enthusiasm, energy, and self-motivation with a broad range of interests and diverse teams of collaborators on a wide breadth of topics.
I believe leading a functioning organizational community means being responsive to individual needs and successfully working with all people of all different backgrounds at all levels within the organization.
WHAT I DO
I have built a deep artistic network with 10+ years of experience in theatre and have a track record of building successful artistic teams.
I have demonstrated the ability to nurture playwrights and directors, building trust and creating a framework for effective dramaturgy.
I have excellent written and oral communication skills.
I am consistently able to juggle a myriad of ongoing projects due to my high level of efficiency and organization.
POSITIONS HELD
Senior Producer, New Work Development: Soulpepper Theatre; Toronto, Canada; July 2021-present
Program Manager: Robotics Institute; Toronto, Canada; Nov 2020-present
Event Manager and Communications Consultant: McCue Communications; Los Angeles; contract based, 2008-March 2020
Literary Director: South Coast Rep; Apr 2015-May 2019
Literary Manager: Actors Theatre of Louisville; May 2014-April 2015
Associate Literary Director: South Coast Repertory; Nov. 2008-May 2014
Chorus, Dancers, and Supers coordinator: LA Opera; Aug. 2007-Nov. 2008
Director /Co-founder: Full Frontal Artist Collective, San Diego, CA; Dec. 2002-May 2004
EDUCATION
University of Oregon; Eugene, OR — M.A., Arts Administration
Master’s Research: The Art of Artistic Direction.
Classes including: Marketing for the Arts, Financial Management, Non-Profit Administration, Grant writing, Graphic Design
University of California, Riverside — B.A., Theatre
Graduated cum laude in three years for a four year degree
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS
Created, built, and grew communities, both in theatre and in other sectors. Successfully maintained engagement and relationships with community groups through project development and beyond. Demonstrated ability to create cohesive narratives to promote communities; from storytelling and marketing to building relatable stories from raw data.
As Literary Director for South Coast Repertory (SCR), served as director of the CrossRoads playwright commissioning and residency program for playwrights of color while also building community engagement. Built local artistic connections proven with increased attendance at events with a focus on BIPOC communities. Successfully led two-year exploration of the local Santa Ana Latinx community that resulted in multi-media production installed at the Santa Ana Civic Center for two weeks.
Naturally attracted to diverse stories, my dramaturgical work (appendix) amply illustrates my commitment to giving voice to underrepresented communities in both content and authorship.
PUBLIC LEADERSHIP & PRESENTATION
For SCR, Actors Theatre, freelance and consulting work: Regularly spoke to audiences of up to 500 people on a variety of topics including: talkbacks with actors and artists (2 per production), long-format seminar series (9 events per year), roundtable or panel discussions, speaking at high level donor events (5 to 10 per year). As Program Manager for CanCOVID: Hosted 40+ speaker events
PROGRAM DESIGN AND EVENT MANAGEMENT
Consistently matching people and skills to problems, such as building creative teams. Excels at addressing needs and matching appropriate talent.
As Literary Director for South Coast Repertory: Oversaw all literary department activities for a world recognized regional theater with an annual budget at that time of nearly $11M, including 2 FTE, consultant, interns, and freelance script readers. Managed approximately 65 commissions at any given time and annual budget of $100,000 (in addition to grant-funded commissions, average 4-8 per year).
As Literary Manager for Actors Theatre of Louisville and at SCR: Led cross-departmental team for trio of lobby engagement spaces. Writing and copy-editing across all communication channels, including grants, newsletter articles, program notes, and marketing materials. Was the editor of Plays from the Pacific Playwrights Festival, Vol 2 (SCR) and Complete Plays: Humana 2014
As Event Manager for McCue Communications, executed 4 city promotional wine tour of the U.S., with attendance ranging from 2,000-5,000.
As Program Manager for CanCOVID, created and implemented an engagement program for a digital community: Built, operationalized, and managed a digital platform for scientists from all disciplines with research related to COVID, launched April 1, 2020. Managing and attracting scientists, growing CanCOVID membership from nothing to 3000+ through launch of a weekly speaker series, panels, roundtables, and social media.
As Program Manager for University of Toronto’s Robotics Institute, designed and implemented programs including the Leadership Program, formed and launched an Alumni network, and coordinated the Healthcare Robotics graduate training program.