Kyle J Showalter

I'm Kyle (they/them), an actor, singer, movement deviser, and scholar currently based in Staunton, Virginia. Since the age of 3, I have always been a performer, taking part in theatre all through grade school. Then, I joined the Harrisonburg High School's Fine Arts Academy specializing in vocal music and theatre, a rigorous program involving multiple public showcases throughout my four years. My junior year, I performed at James Madison University's Forbes Center as a part of their Fine Arts Festival. 

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I continued my fervent pursuit of my performing dreams at Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, Virginia where some might say I have spent too much time. This school pushed me to become a more well-rounded theatre artist , with both the undergraduate and graduate programs insisting upon a multi-hyphenate experience. I received a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theatre, a Master of Letters (MLitt) in Shakespeare & Performance, and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Shakespeare & Performance with a focus in Acting. 

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My scholarship has prioritized gender performance, particularly by trans or queerable individuals in early modern drama and their experiences with traditional gender performativity. I've also dedicated my time to creating theatrical spaces that welcome both queer and BIPOC communities. 

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Outside of theatre and scholarly spaces, you can find me taking care of my two kittens; practicing photography; painting abstract art; or propagating one of my many house plants.

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MLitt Thesis: "And All His Quality": Gender Subversion Through Mischief and Magic

MFA Thesis: Acting Outside of While Inside the Box: Performing Gender as a Nonbinary Actor