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Director & Co-founder Kimberly MacLean, Director & Co-Founder of The Super Dupers, has been a consistent presence in Bay Area theatre as a performer and instructor since moving here in 1991. The bulk of her theatrical experience is an actress, singer, and director in more traditional theatre formats. She is currently a main stage company member with BATS (Bay Area Theater Sports). In 2003, she co- founded and began working full time as the Director of Delta City Improvisation - now called The Super Dupers. In addition to stage performances, she co-wrote the book and lyrics for 'The Tale of the Wicked Winter Witch'. Her love of teaching, passion for art in education, and instructional experience are the driving force behind the classes and educational outreach portion of the organization. Teaching for over 14 years, she has also been a prominent figure with such organizations as Walnut Creek's Civic Arts Education program, ArtReach, and Oakland's New Teacher Support Program. Kimberly structures the educational outreach programs with an understanding that theatre can open doors to learning, creativity, and life lessons - that it can be a powerful tool and is a much needed outlet. In the 2007-08 school year Kimberly was offered and took a full time teaching position piloting a program for Envision Schools at City Arts and Tech High School called "Literacy Through Performing Arts", in which the techniques of theatre are utilized to enhance the reading and comprehension skills of 9th graders. The program was so successful, that she will be returning for the 08-09 school year. Kimberly holds her B.A. in Theatre Arts from San Francisco State University and will complete her California Teaching Credential in English/Drama in October of '08. |
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Where was your first improv class? San Francisco State University, 1993 as part of my degree program Why improv? I love doing character work and short form allows me to really play around with characters and be several in one night. I still find formats like Theatresports challenging and, therefore, excitingly scary. Coming from a strong background of traditional theatre, the long formats allow to put to use a great deal of my training into creating grounded characters with motivations and stories. I’d been doing scripted theater from childhood through college and improv is a refreshing departure, also, the people that do improv are amazing and so much fun, and it allows me to challenge myself in new ways each show. What do you think is so great about improv? Improv allows the performers to be the writer, director, and actor in one split second. It requires that everyone work together, make each other look good, support ideas, listen, and all of the other things we forget to practice in our ‘real’ everyday lives. Who inspired you to perform or influenced you? I have a very cool mom that realized I was young, weird and vivacious, therefor, letting me stay up and watch SNL, Monty Python, & so forth might actually be in my best interest. I idolized Steve Martin and Lilly Tomlin and memorized all of their stand-up records by age 8. My family sat through hours of I Love Lucy reenactments, SNL sketches that I ‘rewrote’, and several versions of 'The Kim Variety Show'. My grandmother influenced me at a very young age by taking me to see old movies at the Paramount theater. My favorite actors include Clarke Gable, Cary Grant, Humphrey Bogart, Katherine Hepburn, Lilly Tomlin, Steve Martin, Carole Lombard, Marilyn Monroe (in the comedies), Lucille Ball, Gilda Radner, Lauren Bacall, Carole Burnett, Katherine Hepburn, I could go on and on… What other performance related things do you do? I write a great deal, especially sketch and short films. I have had one play that I co-authored (book & lyrics) produced and another underway. I love singing and music and have dreamt of being a rock star if this whole acting thing falls through. What sort of teaching/instructional experience do you have? My first official teaching gig was in 1993, as the head counselor of a theater camp. I have been teaching in some capacity ever since. I have taught everyone from 3 year olds to senior citizens and everything from playwriting, film, & movement, to improv, school enrichment programs, and theatrical performances. I love teaching, am a trained educator, and believe that theater opens so many doors to learning and discovery. You can find me teaching for The Super Dupers and several other organizations around the Bay Area. I am currently finishing up my California teaching credential. Any improv words of wisdom? The most valuable words of wisdom I've received are "Just have fun". What’s so great about the work the Super Dupers do? We all believe in everything that we do as a company. We are friends outside of this forum and support each other as people and artists. Those of us that teach are trained and experienced instructors that are teaching because we love it and know what we are doing. We are amazing individuals and as a group we are just that much more fun and talented. If you were a superhero who would it be? I’d probably be a superhero that defeats her opponents by leaving long winded phone messages or someone incredibly idealistic and passionate about human rights, specifically those of children. Favorite quotation? “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” Michelangelo |
