Willard acts in JWT’s Steel Magnolias
0By Alisa Brooke Coleman
Kim Willard, adjunct professor of theatre, is a busy woman. She is a private voice teacher, a music minister, and the director of education at Jenny Wiley Theatre.
Currently, she balances all of those roles as she acts as M’Lynn in Steel Magnolias.
This is Willard’s second semester at UPIKE, and she loves getting to know her students and seeing them get excited about theatre.
Willard was an adjunct professor at James Madison University, a visiting professor at Liberty University and taught public school in music and theatre before coming to UPIKE.
She was born and raised in Hudson, N.Y., and has lived in many states up and down the East coast.
Willard attended college at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. She received a bachelor’s degree in music and education. She furthered her education and received her graduate degree in Acting from The Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University in Manhattan.
Willard loves teaching. “Be present. Show up. Be where you are with whom you are with and really listen. Learning happens everywhere. Don’t miss it,” she said.
Willard is currently acting in a main stage production, Steel Magnolias, at Jenny Wiley Theatre. Steel Magnolias’ last date of showing will be April 14.
Steel Magnolias is a production featuring a story of friendship centered around a local homegrown beauty salon.
Ticket prices are $22 for adults, $19 for seniors, and $11 for youth age 17 and under. Tickets are subject to a $3 processing fee and another dollar for tickets purchased at the door. Showtimes are Thursday and Friday, April 9 and 10 at 7:30, April 11 at 2 and at 7:30. Sunday, April 12 at 3 and a later showing at 7:30. There is special pricing for UPIKE students.