Pennsylvania Theatre Institute at West Chester University
I’ve served as the Co-Founding Director of Pennsylvania Theatre Institute at West Chester University since Summer 2018.
Founded by working professional theatre artists and educators, PTI at WCU runs two programs each summer: Young Company (a day camp for ages 8-14), and Pre-College Intensive (a ten-day residential program for high school students, focused on audition preparation). Our program is staffed by professional theatre artists and educators, as well as college students in our apprentice program: a paid, on-the-job mentorship in the field of teaching artistry.
My work includes strategic planning; program direction; website design; graphic design; budgeting and production management; marketing and recruiting; hiring, training and supervision of all teaching artist staff and student apprentices; coordinating communications between camp personnel and university administration; and facilitating a thriving community arts program dedicated to using theatre tools to shape young people into curious, compassionate artists and humans.
What People Are Saying
“All around incredible experience for my child. He felt incredibly supported by the staff and teaching artists. He's leaving camp with more confidence as a performer (and with lots of new friends!). That he willingly got out of bed at 7am to attend camp is a ringing endorsement of this wonderful program.”
— Parent, Pre-College Intensive
“This is an amazing camp at an affordable price. Worth every penny!! Thank you to all of the staff who put so much thought and attention into all of the details of this two week camp.
Katherine does an amazing job at communicating with parents.”
— Parent, Young Company
“Our kids had so many stories from the classes and their show groups. They learned a ton about theater arts in the 2 weeks despite having limited experience before the camp. The staff members were supportive, professional, and so much fun! The perfect antidote to a rough stretch with limited social interactions during Covid times.”