1. Kelli Foster Warder M I N N E A P O L I S , M N | 6 1 2 . 7 9 1 . 3 6 9 5 | mkwarder@mac.com
Summary: A passionate leader with an expert capacity to build programs, engage people and maximize
strengths through collaboration, encouragement and example.
Skills & Experience:
Current Position:
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
Hennepin Theatre Trust
Education
B.A. EDUCATION STUDIES
Augsburg College
Key Strengths
Communicator
Leader
Strategegist
Teacher
Collaborator
Public Speaker
Consensus builder
Motivator
References
JUDY JOSEPH
Past VP of Programming-
Sueprvisor
Hennepin Theatre Trust
judyjsph@gmail.com
JIM SHEELEY
President,
Upper Midwest Region &
Historic Theatre Group
Braodway Across America
Jim.Sheeley@broadway-
acrossamerica.com
PETER ROTHSTEIN
Artistic Director, Theater Latté Da
peter@latteda.org
RANDALL PETERSON
Principal, Eastview High School
randall.peterson@district196.org
Theater Education Program Direction
• Create the work plans for three full time coordinators, oversee multiple program managers and over 50
contracted teaching artists. Methodology includes creating cross-functional teams, goal setting and pro-
fessional development objectives to achieve maximum results.
• Produce and direct the annual Spotlight Showcase featuring 80 schools and over 1400 students. Coordi-
nate a week-long rehearsal process engaging a staff of 10 artists, culminating in two nights of sold-out
performances at the Historic State Theatre.
• Re-branding of the Trust’s signature education program to Spotlight Education which included clarified
mission logos, streamilned and consistent language, and a restructure of the current initiatives to em-
phasize the educational opportunities.
• Leverage the Trust's celebrity spokesperson, Tony nominee Laura Osnes, through donor events, master-
classes and media appearances, managing booking, contract negotiations, and social media content.
• Strategize with the development team to plan events, write grants, and seek sponsorship opportunities
for our Education programs.
• Built and oversee a social media presence and campaigns to engage and inform our community.
• Develop annual Directors & Student Leader summer conference in partnership with Perpich Center for
Arts Education that provides professional development credit and educational opportunities for theater
students and educators.
• Create thematic community engagement and placemaking activities to align with our on-stage pro-
gramming.
• Oversee a sponsored onsite summer intern 8-week project including program development, mentor
training and curriculum development for high school students each year.
Diversity and Inclusion
• Led Volunteer youth program developing and directing trips both nationally and internationally for
groups of 50 plus high school students and volunteer adults leaders with an emphasis on poverty, racial
reconciliation, cultural immersion and service. Trips include 6 month training program, budgeting,
schedule coordination with multiple organizations, and and post-evaluation of both volunteer leaders,
participating students and parents.
• Developed and implemented Diversity Programs at two high schools. Including staff training, budget-
ing, identifying and developing student leaders, a peer mediation program in coordination with the
counseling department as well as presentations and curriculum support for staff.
• Convened and led a team of staff and a community advisory committee to offer a Sensory Friendly
performance of the touring production of Disney’s The Lion King. Created and facilitated awareness
training for over 80 staff and volunteers, raised $250,000, promoted the project through media appear-
ances and successfully engaged over 50 community groups
• Created annual Black History Month community performance partnering with our downtown high
school featuring students and local artists in a free performance for an audience of 1000. My responsbil-
ities included establishing consensus for the event, fundraising, creative collaboration and artistic direc-
tion.
• Initiated and developed school-wide Student Leadership Teams at the American School in La Paz, Bolivia.
Trained student leaders and facilitated large scale, all-school leadership and team building conferences for
grades Pre-K through 12th.
• Oversee the implementation of the Trust’s Access program providing opportunities for thousands of
patrons traditionally underserved by our theatres to attend Broadway performances with intentional
educational elements attached.
Program Evaluation
• Analysis of past assessment process and rubric for the Spotlight Education high school musical theatre
program including the complete re-writing of criteria and development of a new process and evaluation
for performance and technical production.
• Coordinate with technicians, theatre managers, and front of house staff at Orpheum, State and Pantages
Theatres to enhance and grow our post-show discussions and pre-show community engagement events.
• Facilitated the evaluation of a K-12 school in Panama City, Panama. Developed teacher survey, com-
piled the findings and presented recommendations to the School Board.
• Acted as liaison and facilitator for the change of leadership of MN Association of Dance Teams to the MN State
High School League. Led the evaluation and creation of a new scoring system for the State Tournament with a
committee of coaches, judges and high school league representatives.

2. Leadership
• Founding staff member at Eastview High School in Apple Valley, MN. Designed curriculum, developed
dance and diversity programs, created & oversaw budgets, supervised contracted staff, designed and
directed large performances including 200 student participants, developed and implemented school-
wide programs to promote inclusivity, tolerance and safe schools.
• Convened and facilitated programming filters and goals for the Trust’s three programming departments
(theatre programming, education and public art and placemaking) building alignment across the organi-
zation on decision making process and criteria.
• Over 20 years of teaching, coaching and speaking experience in a variety of settings including schools,
community groups and theaters to groups of students and adults of 50-150 participants.
• Host and facilitate community conversations in my home on current issues providing a safe space for
interaction and understanding.
Professional Experience
EDUCATION:
International
• CCA School (Panama City, Panama) 6th grade classroom teacher, musical director/choreographer
(2004-05)
• American Cooperative School (La Paz, Bolivia) Elementary PE teacher, Student Leadership Coordina-
tor, (2002-2004)
• Estudio Capezio (La Paz, Bolivia) Jazz and Hip-Hop teacher, choreography and program direction
(2001, 2002-2004)
National
• Eastview High School (Apple Valley, MN) Diversity Coordinator , Dance Teacher/Program Director,
Choreographer, Head Dance Team Coach *Conference & State Championships (1997-2000)
• Rosemount High School (Rosemount, MN), Diversity & Peer Mediation Coordinator, Choreographer,
Head Dance Team Coach *Conference, State & National Championship (1990-1997)
• Freelance choreogpraher, various high schools (2004-present)
PERFORMING ARTS:
Arts Administration
• Hennepin Theatre Trust (Minneaplis, Minnesota) Director of Education (2015-present)
• Youth Dance Ensemble (Burnsville, Minnesota) Board of Directors (2016-present)
Selected Creative Credits
• Choreographer, Ragtime, Theater Latté Da, 2016
• Associate Director, Our Town, Theater Latté Da 2014
• Assistant Choreographer, Cabaret, Theater Latté Da & Hennepin Theatre Trust 2014
• Assistant Choreographer/Dance Captain/Ensemble, Aida, Theater Latté Da & Hennepin Theatre Trust
2013
• Movement Coordinator, Steerage Song, Theater Latté Da, 2013 & 2014
• Featured Choreography, Singin' in the Rain, Bloomington Civic Theatre, 2013
• Featured dancer, Kingdom Undone, Theater for the Thirsty, 2013, 2014
• Director/Choreographer, Christmas Cantata, Panama City, Panama 2009-2013
• Dancer/Featured Choreography, Timberwolves Performance Team, 1999-2000
Awards
• Best Choreographer, Broadway World Minneapolis
• Superior Achievement in Stage Movement Direction, Lavendar Magazine
• Coach of the Year, Minnesota Association of Dance Teams
• Coaches Hall of Fame, Minnesota Association of Dance Teams