Karen Berthel
Curriculum Vitae
E-mail:
Office: 269-337-7128
Kalamazoo, MI 49006
EDUCATION / TRAINING
2010 Fitzmaurice Voicework ® Associate Teacher Certification
1997 M.F.A. in Acting, American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco, CA
1989 Teacher Certification, Sivananda Vedanta Yoga, Grass Valley, CA
1987 National Institute For Dramatic Art, Kensington, Australia, Acting, Improvisation,
Feldenkreis, Shakespeare
1987 Australian Film School, Sydney, Australia
Film Acting, Voice-Over Instruction
1985 B.A. in Psychology, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI
Minor in Theatre
TEACHING APPOINTMENTS
2007 – Present Associate Professor & Chair, Theatre Arts, Kalamazoo College
2003 – 2007 Assistant Professor, Theatre Arts, Kalamazoo College
2000 – 2002 Visiting Professor, Theatre Arts, Kalamazoo College
1999 – 2000 Adjunct Visiting Professor, Theatre Arts, Kalamazoo College
1998 – 1999 Guest Artist, Theatre Department and Sindecuse Educational Theatre, Western Michigan University
COURSES TAUGHT
THEA 115 Theatre for Community Dialogue THEA 320 Advanced Acting
THEA 120 Fundamentals of Acting THEA 490 Senior Seminar
THEA 225 Developing A Character THEA 593 Senior Individualized Project
THEA 305 Voice And Diction WMST 490 Senior Seminar
THEA 498 INDEPENDENT STUDIES
Phonetic Ear Training Beginning Dramaturgy
The Audition Package Advanced Directing
Activating Theatre Activating Theatre For Anger Management
Acting IV Advanced Auditioning Technique
Advanced Character Development
AREAS OF SPECIALTY
Acting Voice for Stage
Classical Style Fitzmaurice Voice (VASTA member)
Performing Gender Activating Theatre
KALAMAZOO COLLEGE GRANTS
2006 Enrichment Grant, Women In Town. Political Science Collaboration, co-writer
2000 McGregor Grant, The Jordan Project, Dept. of Education collaboration, co-writer
COLLEGE COMMITTEES and OTHER SERVICE
Kalamazoo College
2014 – present, College Assessment Committee
2010 – 2014, Educational Policies Committee
2010 – 2011, Women and Gender Studies GLCA Liaison
2009 – 2010, Women’s Studies Concentration: Director & GLCA Liaison
2008 - 2009, Experiential Education Committee
2007 – 2008, Athletics Committee
2006 – 2007, Campus Life Committee
2006 and 1999 - 2001, Academic Standards Committee
2005, Women In Town: Art hop & Evening of Performances
2002 – 2003, Experiential Education Committee
2002 – 2004, Michigan State School of Social Work, Family Therapy Simulation
2001 – 2003, GLCA Women’s Studies Committee
2001 – 2007, ARK partnership
1999 Art Department Search Committee
1999 – present, Women’s Studies Associate
1999 – 2004, High School Drama Day Workshop Leader
1999 – present, American College Theatre Festival: Responder, Regional Judge,
Workshop Leader, Acting Coach
DIRECTING EXPERIENCE
Kalamazoo College
Goodnight Desdemona, Good morning Juliet (2015)
In The Next Room (2013)
Cloud Nine (2012)
Tongue of a Bird (2011)
Tempest (2010)
Hamlet (2007)
The Imaginary Invalid (2006)
The Rover (2005)
Macbeth (2004)
Top Girls (2003)
As You Like It (2002)
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (2001)
Western Michigan University
‘Tis The Season (1999)
Great Sexpectaions (1999)
No More Lies (1999)
Kalamazoo Civic Theatre (Parish Theatre)
The Miracle Worker (2014) {A.D and dialect coach}
The Imaginary Invalid (2012)
The Imaginary Invalid (2013 ACCT Festival entry)
Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre Programs
The Asthma Show (1998)
It’s Never Easy (1998)
Electra Theater
Flesh and Blood (2005 San Diego Premiere)
Flesh and Blood (1997 San Francisco)
SCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
2005 and 1997, Flesh and Blood: Electra Theater Company
2000, The Jordan Project: Kalamazoo College, McGregor Grant
1999, No More Lies: Western Michigan University
1998, Peace Signs: Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre Programs
1997, It’s Never Easy: Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre programs
PROFESSIONAL ACTING EXPERIENCE (selected from 1987 – present)
Role Show Company Director
Maundy Sir Patient Fancy Queen’s Co. (NYC) Rebecca Patterson
Sir Andrew Tewlfth Night Queen’s Co. (NYC) Rebecca Patterson
Jane The Gabriels NYSPF Rebecca Patterson
Fool King Lear (workshop) Queen’s Co. (NYC) Rebecca Patterson
Gremio, et. Al. Taming of the Shrew Queen’s Co. (NYC) Rebecca Patterson
Cardinal Duchess of Malfi Queen’s Co. (NYC) Rebecca Patterson
Macbeth Macbeth Queen’s Co. (NYC) Rebecca Patterson
Macbeth Macbeth Women’s Shakespeare Co. (LA) Rebecca Patterson
Ensemble Faustus In Hell ACT (San Francisco) Michael Smuin
Allissa Dilsberry (premiere) Purple Rose Jane Wegnar
Allissa Dilsberry Boscov Productions Cliff Mayott
Helena Midsummer SF Shakespeare Festival Albert Takazaukus
Helena, et. Al. Shakespeare’s Dream SF Shakespeare Festival (tour) Albert Takazaukus
Amiens As You Like It SF Shakespeare Festival Richard Seyd
Monica Secrets Educational Theatre Programs Sabrina Klein
Denise Secrets Educational Theatre Programs Scott Kessler
Natalie Nightmare on Puberty St. Educational Theatre Programs Regina Dwerlkotte
Malika Nightmare on Puberty St. Educational Theatre Programs Judith O’Rourke
Carol It’s Never Easy Educational Theatre Programs (LA) Lisa Lippman
Ariel Limbo Electra Theatre Co.(San Fransiscio) Rebecca Patterson
Maggie Penetration Play Electra Theatre Co. (Taos, NM) Karen Paull
WORKSHOPS DEVELOPED and TAUGHT
2015 Western Michigan University
Raise Your Voice Project: Sexual Harassment Interactive Theatre Project
2004 Denison University (Conference: Perceiving Gender and Performance)
What is Gender?
2001 Kalamazoo College
Viewpoints Workshop
Voice For Women’s Studies program
Activating Theatre for Community & Social Change
2000 Western Michigan University
Women In Theatre Group
Starting Your Own Theatre Company
Women’s Challenges & Solutions in This Business
1999 Sindecuse Health Center (WMU)
No More Lies
1999 Michigan Youth Arts Festival
Voice For Stage
1999 Summer Program For Gifted & Talented (WMU)
Beginning Stage Combat (hand-to-hand, sword)
1997 – 1999 Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre Programs
Understanding & Appreciating Diversity
Preventing Sexual Harassment
On Camera Media Training
Conflict Resolution
Character Development
Improvisation
RELATED TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2007 – 2013, Kneading Serenity Wellness Center, Kalamazoo, MI
Beginning & Intermediate Yoga, Meditation, Guided Relaxation
2000 – Present, Kalamazoo College
PED 089, Beginning Yoga
1999 – 2005, Henderson Castle Bed & Breakfast, Kalamazoo, MI
Yoga, Meditation
1999 – 2004, Sherman Lake YMCA, Augusta, MI
Beginning Yoga
1999 – 2000, Still Waters Holistic Health Center, Holland MI
Beginning & Advanced Yoga
THEATRE ADMINISTRATION and TOUR MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE
1997 – 1999, Kaiser Permanente Educational Programs, Manager, Actor, Director
1996, Human nature Theatre Company, Company Member
1989 – 1994, Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre Programs, Actor, Manager
1987 – 1989, San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, Actor, Manager
RELATED EXPERIENCE
The Queen’s Company, 1995 – Present, Founding Company Member
This all-female company was started to provide women undergraduates in UCLA’s theatre department the opportunity of performing challenging roles with stage combat. Our first production of Macbeth was the basis of my Master’s Thesis from A.C.T. Now, based in New York, we concentrate on classical plays, always with a gender “twist.” Website: Queenscompany.org
CENTRAL WORKS THEATRE ENSEMBLE, 1989 – 1994, Ensemble Member
This non-profit, Berkeley-based company was started with friends, who simply wanted to work. I was a founding member and officer. I participated in various capacities: actor, fundraiser, house manager, box office manager, and set builder. The company now has residence in The Berkeley City Club.
ELECTRA THEATRE COMPANY, 1989 –2014, Artistic Consultant
Now based in Taos, New Mexico, Electra began with the intent to produce emerging female playwrights in San Francisco. In 1989 we produced our first show at Studio Ermos, in Theatre Artaud. Electra continues to support female playwrights with workshop productions of new, and in-progress, play and musicals. In 1998 and 1999 Electra received Finalists Awards in the San Francisco Fringe Theatre Festival.
RELATED INTERESTS / TRAINING
International School of Hypnosis (clinical license) certified Health Coach
Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, certified practitioner