Kirsten King

Kirsten graduated from Auburn University with a BFA in Theatre Performance and then studied at the Circle In The Square Summer Conservatory on Broadway in New York. As an Atlanta-based educator, actor, arts activist, comedian, writer, creative director, host, and improvisor, she's also a member of the Atlanta-based improv group Dark Side Of The Room, which tours the US and Canada. Along with teaching youth, teen, & adult improv & acting classes, along with corporate team building workshops, Kirsten has also created multi-tiered youth & teen programming including a summer camp programing and a year-round youth & teen training ensemble, as well as an intern and free community workshop program. Kirsten brings over 20 years of improv and teaching experience to the AMAW teaching team. She has studied Shakespeare, Meisner, Linklater, classic works, musical improv, and both short and long-form improv. Some of the places Kirsten has worked with are the Alliance Education Department, Georgia Shakespeare, Onward Theatre, Actor’s Express, the Center for Civic Innovation, Kate’s Club, The Center for Puppetry Arts, Blankstage Productions, The Austin Improvised Play Festival, The Home Depot, Hartmann Studios, Rapid Fire Theatre, The Ocean State Improv Festival, The Stumptown Improv Festival, and The Moth Atlanta as both a performer and host. Kirsten was a chosen performer for Kenan Thompson Ultimate Comedy Atlanta Showcase, and has also performed on multiple occasions with comedy colleagues Colin Mochrie, Greg Proops, and Mark Meer. Kirsten got her AMAW start as a student in Katelin's Chesna's class and has since become an AMAW Atlanta on-going teacher in addition to being the resident improv instructor for the Atlanta location. Kirsten trained with AMAW LA instructor Tom Warner and also collaborates with Sustainable Actor's Lindsay Frame Buss. It’s an absolute pleasure to partner with AMAW by being a part of the teaching team and the resident improv instructor for the Atlanta studio. TESTIMONIAL of student Rick Pasenow: “ I would like to take this opportunity to heap massive amounts of praise on Kirsten King. Not only is she an excellent improv performer, but a stellar improv teacher. During the 8-week improv class, I learned so much thanks to Kirsten’s engaging and entertaining teaching style. She made me feel comfortable on stage and I was fully prepared for our showcase, my first performance in front of an audience since about 3rd grade. But the best proof of how much I enjoyed the class is that I am signing up for the next 8-week session!” ~Rich Pasenow WHY DID YOU BECOME AN ACTOR? I became an actor, because it was an opportunity as a creative to, how I tell my students, start where I am everyday, in every given circumstance, and in every way. Unapologetically and fully as I am. Being an actor has been such a goldilocks zone for all of my strengths, passions, and interests of music, theatre/film, and storytelling. What a gift that I get to open and I wouldn't rather be anything else.