Carmen Khan
Carmen.khan.117121@gmail.com
West Chester, PA
610.999.1168
PROFILE
Theatre-trained and educated performing arts professional with 30 years’ experience as a Founder/Artistic Director, director, producer, fundraiser, arts executive, educator, and performer. Undergraduate in Education; MFA, Acting. Writer and publisher of the Shakespeare Moment by Moment Series, starting with “Macbeth Moment by Moment” – a new and unique edition for students and educators. Deep knowledge and experience in the world of producing regional theatre.
Values- Does best: in an environment of close collaboration within a group of kindred spirits who respect each other and are dedicated 100% to the mission/vision, Striving for excellence, in a psychologically safe space.
CAREER
Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center
Artistic Director, January 2022 - present
The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre
Founder, Artistic/Executive Director, 1996-2022
AREAS OF FOCUS
Program Development
Created the following programs over the last twenty-five years which have served over 200,000 high school students and continue to grow.
Community Outreach and Partnerships
The Barnes Institute – 10-month Shakespeare in the World lecture/performance series.
Philadelphia Young Playwrights – The Othello Project and The Romeo and Juliet Project – city wide residencies with a group of Philadelphia’s most at-risk schools. Created writing and performance pieces based on the plays.
The Free Library of Philadelphia-12 month collaboration for the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth. A city-wide celebration with hundreds of cultural and civic partners.
The Philadelphia Orchestra – Two Valentine Day Concerts with the world-renowned orchestra featuring music inspired by Shakespeare and professional actors from The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art – Summer of Shakespeare – performances throughout the galleries and main hall.
Philadelphia Horticultural Society – Philadelphia’s famous annual flower show – performances.
Ongoing partnership with The Free Library of Philadelphia – Shakespeare in The World lecture/performance series year – round. Full staged readings of Shakespeare’s plays.
Performances of Touring Productions.
Board Development
Recruited and worked with an active board of attorneys, business owners and other community leaders.
Staff Development
Oversaw a professional full time and part-time staff plus volunteers, and a seasonal staff of dozens of artists and technicians. Negotiate contracts, budgeting, HR issues, scheduling, and payroll.
1993-1996
The Red Heel Theatre
Artistic Director
The Red Heel Theatre was dedicated to the little known classics of the Jacobean era.
Produced six plays over three seasons, and a
Reading series.
Fundraising: raised the $200,000 annual budget.
Staff: oversaw a professional staff of two and a team of volunteers and seasonal artists and technicians.
1991-1992
The Laughing Stock Theatre
Co-Artistic Director
Mission: to make people laugh.
Produced one highly successful season of comedies.
1990-1992
The People’s Light and Theatre Company
Company Member
Actor- performed on the mainstage.
Teacher- outreach in schools in the Delaware Valley.
1981-1987
The Hip Pocket Theatre, Fort Worth Texas
Company member.
Actor/Dancer.
Performed in over 25 plays.
1983-1986
The Fort Worth Hebrew Day School
Elementary School teacher.
Taught 3, 5 and 6th grades.
1980-1981
Notre Dame High School for Girls
London, England
High school teacher - dance, English.
Education
1980
University of London
London, England
Bachelor of Education
1990
The Catholic University of America
Washington, DC.
Master of Fine Arts, Acting
Publications – Shakespeare Moment by Moment Series
1st in the series: Macbeth Moment by Moment, 2017. By William Shakespeare, Carmen Khan, and Jack Armstrong. https://www.shakespearemomentbymoment.com/
CREDITS
Director/Producer
1991-2023
1991-1992
Laughing Stock Theatre
Produced a season of comedies and one-acts
Co-Directed by Company
1993-1996
Red Heel Theatre
Second Shepherd’s Play
Medieval Pageant Play
Directed by Domenick Scudera
The Butterfingers Angel
By William Gibson
Directed by Domenick Scudera
Medea
By Euripides
Directed by Jackie Yancy
Deirdre of the Sorrows
By John M. Synge
Directed By Domenick Scudera
The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre
1996-present
1996-1997
Much Ado About Nothing-
Directed by Domenick Scudera
1997/1998
Macbeth
Directed by Domenick Scudera
The Merchant of Venice
Directed by Carmen Khan
1998/1999
The Tempest
Directed by Eleanor Holdridge
Much Ado About Nothing
1999/2000
Hamlet
Directed by Jim Christy
The Winter’s Tale
Directed by David Ingram
The Taming of the Shrew
Directed by Eleanor Holdridge
2000/2001
Romeo and Juliet
Directed by Tazwell Thompson
Measure for Measure
Directed by Harriet Powers
Twelfth Night-
Directed by Carmen Khan
2001/2002
Cymbeline
Directed by David Howey
King Lear
Directed by Carmen Khan
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Directed by Dennis Delaney
2002/2003
Othello
Directed by Carmen Khan
Macbeth
Directed by Gus Kaikkonen
2003/2004
Julius Caesar
Directed by David Howey
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)
Directed by Domenick Scudera
2004/2005
Hamlet
Directed by Carmen Khan
As You Like It
Directed by Carmen Khan
2005/2006
The Tempest
Directed by Carmen Khan
Much Ado About Nothing
Directed by Carmen Khan
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)
Directed by Domenick Scudera
2006/2007
Othello
Directed by Carmen Khan
The Taming of the Shrew
Directed by Domenick Scudera
2007/2008
Romeo and Juliet
Directed by Carmen Khan
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
Directed by Carmen Khan
2008/2009
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged
Directed by Domenick Scudera
2009/2010
Macbeth
Directed by Carmen Khan
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Directed by Carmen Khan
Classical Acting Academy (CAA) Inaugural production – Professional Shakespeare Training for Early Career Actors
Classical Acting Academy
Henry IV Part 1
Directed by David Stradley
Macbeth
Directed by Carmen Khan
Touring Production
2010/2011
Hamlet
Directed by Carmen Khan
As You Like It
Directed by Carmen Khan
Classical Acting Academy
Henry V
Directed by Aaron Cromie
Hamlet
Directed by Carmen Khan
Touring Production
2011/12
Twelfth Night
Directed by Carmen Khan
Titus Andronicus
Directed by Aaron Cromie
Classical Acting Academy
The Comedy of Errors
Directed by Rosey Hay
Hamlet
Directed by Carmen Khan
Touring Production
2012/13
Othello
Directed by Carmen Khan
Much Ado About Nothing
Directed by Domenick Scudera
Classical Acting Academy
Cymbeline
Directed by David O’Connor
2013/14
Romeo and Juliet
Directed by David O’Connor
Classical Acting Academy
The Two Noble Kinsmen-
Directed by Aaron Cromie
2014/15
Henry V
Directed by Aaron Cromie
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Directed by Carmen Khan
Classical Acting Academy
Love’s Labour’s Lost
Directed by Aaron Cromie
IHamlet
Philadelphia Fringe Festival
Directed by David O’Connor
2015/16
Macbeth
Directed by Carmen Khan
Twelfth Night
Directed by Carmen Khan
The Taming of the Shrew
Directed by Carmen Khan
Kill Will
Philadelphia Fringe Festival-
Directed by Kevin McGuire
2017
Hamlet
Directed by Carmen Khan
Touring Production
2018
Macbeth
Directed by Carmen Khan
Touring Production
2019
Hamlet
Directed by Carmen Khan
Touring Production
2020
Romeo and Juliet
Directed by Carmen Khan
Touring Production
2022
The Butterfingers Angel, Mary and Joseph, Herod the Nut, and the Slaughter of Twelve Hit Carols in a Pear Tree
By William Gibson
Directed by Domenick Scudera
Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center
2023
The Mountaintop
By Katori Hall
Directed by Ryan George
Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center
Carmen.khan.117121@gmail.com
West Chester, PA
610.999.1168
PROFILE
Theatre-trained and educated performing arts professional with 30 years’ experience as a Founder/Artistic Director, director, producer, fundraiser, arts executive, educator, and performer. Undergraduate in Education; MFA, Acting. Writer and publisher of the Shakespeare Moment by Moment Series, starting with “Macbeth Moment by Moment” – a new and unique edition for students and educators. Deep knowledge and experience in the world of producing regional theatre.
Values- Does best: in an environment of close collaboration within a group of kindred spirits who respect each other and are dedicated 100% to the mission/vision, Striving for excellence, in a psychologically safe space.
CAREER
Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center
Artistic Director, January 2022 - present
- Was appointed first ever Artistic Director
- Created an inaugural season of three plays, in a post-Covid environment, in under one year.
- Curated over 200 performances in music, dance, comedy, and film.
- Introduced major donors to the company and worked with development staff to identify and cultivate new donors through unique events.
- Created special events and community engagement in conjunction with the plays to enhance audience experience and learning.
- Metric: In 2022, 4,000 attendees were new audience members - up 20% since pre-pandemic.
The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre
Founder, Artistic/Executive Director, 1996-2022
- Producer/Director of over sixty plays.
- Raised over $12 million in contributions.
- Reached over 110,000 audience members.
AREAS OF FOCUS
Program Development
Created the following programs over the last twenty-five years which have served over 200,000 high school students and continue to grow.
- Residencies: in-depth performance-based study in the classroom with professional teaching artists. Original curriculum for the classroom teacher, study guides and a unique text chart.
- Matinees: students attend same performances as adults. Study guides, talk backs.
- Tours: professional tour of an adaptation of Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth.
- Teacher Training Program: created a training program for teachers to help them teach Shakespeare.
- Classical Acting Academy: an eight-week immersion program for early-career actors culminating in a full production led by a professional director, and free performances for the public.
- Acting classes for adults and teens.
- Summer Shakespeare Camp for high school students.
- Shakespeare in the World Series: lecture/ performance series in collaboration with world-renowned Shakespeare scholars and actors.
Community Outreach and Partnerships
The Barnes Institute – 10-month Shakespeare in the World lecture/performance series.
Philadelphia Young Playwrights – The Othello Project and The Romeo and Juliet Project – city wide residencies with a group of Philadelphia’s most at-risk schools. Created writing and performance pieces based on the plays.
The Free Library of Philadelphia-12 month collaboration for the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth. A city-wide celebration with hundreds of cultural and civic partners.
The Philadelphia Orchestra – Two Valentine Day Concerts with the world-renowned orchestra featuring music inspired by Shakespeare and professional actors from The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art – Summer of Shakespeare – performances throughout the galleries and main hall.
Philadelphia Horticultural Society – Philadelphia’s famous annual flower show – performances.
Ongoing partnership with The Free Library of Philadelphia – Shakespeare in The World lecture/performance series year – round. Full staged readings of Shakespeare’s plays.
Performances of Touring Productions.
Board Development
Recruited and worked with an active board of attorneys, business owners and other community leaders.
Staff Development
Oversaw a professional full time and part-time staff plus volunteers, and a seasonal staff of dozens of artists and technicians. Negotiate contracts, budgeting, HR issues, scheduling, and payroll.
1993-1996
The Red Heel Theatre
Artistic Director
The Red Heel Theatre was dedicated to the little known classics of the Jacobean era.
Produced six plays over three seasons, and a
Reading series.
Fundraising: raised the $200,000 annual budget.
Staff: oversaw a professional staff of two and a team of volunteers and seasonal artists and technicians.
1991-1992
The Laughing Stock Theatre
Co-Artistic Director
Mission: to make people laugh.
Produced one highly successful season of comedies.
1990-1992
The People’s Light and Theatre Company
Company Member
Actor- performed on the mainstage.
Teacher- outreach in schools in the Delaware Valley.
1981-1987
The Hip Pocket Theatre, Fort Worth Texas
Company member.
Actor/Dancer.
Performed in over 25 plays.
1983-1986
The Fort Worth Hebrew Day School
Elementary School teacher.
Taught 3, 5 and 6th grades.
1980-1981
Notre Dame High School for Girls
London, England
High school teacher - dance, English.
Education
1980
University of London
London, England
Bachelor of Education
1990
The Catholic University of America
Washington, DC.
Master of Fine Arts, Acting
Publications – Shakespeare Moment by Moment Series
1st in the series: Macbeth Moment by Moment, 2017. By William Shakespeare, Carmen Khan, and Jack Armstrong. https://www.shakespearemomentbymoment.com/
CREDITS
Director/Producer
1991-2023
1991-1992
Laughing Stock Theatre
Produced a season of comedies and one-acts
Co-Directed by Company
1993-1996
Red Heel Theatre
Second Shepherd’s Play
Medieval Pageant Play
Directed by Domenick Scudera
The Butterfingers Angel
By William Gibson
Directed by Domenick Scudera
Medea
By Euripides
Directed by Jackie Yancy
Deirdre of the Sorrows
By John M. Synge
Directed By Domenick Scudera
The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre
1996-present
1996-1997
Much Ado About Nothing-
Directed by Domenick Scudera
1997/1998
Macbeth
Directed by Domenick Scudera
The Merchant of Venice
Directed by Carmen Khan
1998/1999
The Tempest
Directed by Eleanor Holdridge
Much Ado About Nothing
1999/2000
Hamlet
Directed by Jim Christy
The Winter’s Tale
Directed by David Ingram
The Taming of the Shrew
Directed by Eleanor Holdridge
2000/2001
Romeo and Juliet
Directed by Tazwell Thompson
Measure for Measure
Directed by Harriet Powers
Twelfth Night-
Directed by Carmen Khan
2001/2002
Cymbeline
Directed by David Howey
King Lear
Directed by Carmen Khan
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Directed by Dennis Delaney
2002/2003
Othello
Directed by Carmen Khan
Macbeth
Directed by Gus Kaikkonen
2003/2004
Julius Caesar
Directed by David Howey
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)
Directed by Domenick Scudera
2004/2005
Hamlet
Directed by Carmen Khan
As You Like It
Directed by Carmen Khan
2005/2006
The Tempest
Directed by Carmen Khan
Much Ado About Nothing
Directed by Carmen Khan
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)
Directed by Domenick Scudera
2006/2007
Othello
Directed by Carmen Khan
The Taming of the Shrew
Directed by Domenick Scudera
2007/2008
Romeo and Juliet
Directed by Carmen Khan
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
Directed by Carmen Khan
2008/2009
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged
Directed by Domenick Scudera
2009/2010
Macbeth
Directed by Carmen Khan
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Directed by Carmen Khan
Classical Acting Academy (CAA) Inaugural production – Professional Shakespeare Training for Early Career Actors
Classical Acting Academy
Henry IV Part 1
Directed by David Stradley
Macbeth
Directed by Carmen Khan
Touring Production
2010/2011
Hamlet
Directed by Carmen Khan
As You Like It
Directed by Carmen Khan
Classical Acting Academy
Henry V
Directed by Aaron Cromie
Hamlet
Directed by Carmen Khan
Touring Production
2011/12
Twelfth Night
Directed by Carmen Khan
Titus Andronicus
Directed by Aaron Cromie
Classical Acting Academy
The Comedy of Errors
Directed by Rosey Hay
Hamlet
Directed by Carmen Khan
Touring Production
2012/13
Othello
Directed by Carmen Khan
Much Ado About Nothing
Directed by Domenick Scudera
Classical Acting Academy
Cymbeline
Directed by David O’Connor
2013/14
Romeo and Juliet
Directed by David O’Connor
Classical Acting Academy
The Two Noble Kinsmen-
Directed by Aaron Cromie
2014/15
Henry V
Directed by Aaron Cromie
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Directed by Carmen Khan
Classical Acting Academy
Love’s Labour’s Lost
Directed by Aaron Cromie
IHamlet
Philadelphia Fringe Festival
Directed by David O’Connor
2015/16
Macbeth
Directed by Carmen Khan
Twelfth Night
Directed by Carmen Khan
The Taming of the Shrew
Directed by Carmen Khan
Kill Will
Philadelphia Fringe Festival-
Directed by Kevin McGuire
2017
Hamlet
Directed by Carmen Khan
Touring Production
2018
Macbeth
Directed by Carmen Khan
Touring Production
2019
Hamlet
Directed by Carmen Khan
Touring Production
2020
Romeo and Juliet
Directed by Carmen Khan
Touring Production
2022
The Butterfingers Angel, Mary and Joseph, Herod the Nut, and the Slaughter of Twelve Hit Carols in a Pear Tree
By William Gibson
Directed by Domenick Scudera
Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center
2023
The Mountaintop
By Katori Hall
Directed by Ryan George
Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center