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KARIN DE LA PENA
First Artistic
Director, 1995-2003
Karin delaPena has a lifelong devotion to fine writing, the
performing arts, and education. During a 15 year sabbatical from an
international career as an actress, singer and dancer, Karin earned an MSW (LCSW),
and conducted a seven year private psychotherapy practice in
New York City
. She is also a published journalist and writer.
Karin was the first Artistic Director of Speaking of Stories. Guided by her artistic vision, Speaking of Stories’
‘Fine Actors Perform Great Literature’ thrived locally for eight seasons. Karin also devised
a dynamic
educational program, which Speaking of Stories uses under the name of Word
Up! Word Up! is taught to people from all socio-economic and
educational backgrounds, and has been particularly successful in its application
to at risk youth through
Santa Barbara
’s Juvenile Probation Department, and to students at
Santa Barbara
City
College
--particularly those in the English Department.
Karin is the founding partner of Grace & Competra, through which she
teaches the same technique (under the name Well Read!) outside of
Santa Barbara
. Most recently, sponsored by the U.S. Embassy, she taught Well Read! at several
universities in
Kuala Lumpur
,
Malaysia
. She also directed Beautifully Read!, a high quality theatrical performance in
the style of Speaking of Stories, in
Kuala Lumpur
, which was attended by the U.S. Ambassador. Karin is currently in negotiations
with the U.S. Embassy for a return trip to
Malaysia
, adding on other Asian countries.
Each winter holiday from 1999 to 2002, Grace & Competra (through Panto
Productions) also brought professional Panto to
Santa Barbara
. Productions included Jack and the Beanstalk, the Panto!, Goldilocks, 3
Bears and Then Some! And Puss in Boots, the Panto! at the Lobero Theatre.
Karin has enjoyed being a cast member in a few select productions over her
years in
Santa Barbara
, including the Ensemble Theatre’s Private Lives, in 1999. She will
perform in two plays in the Ensemble’s 2002-03 season, including Communicating
Doors and Moon Over
Buffalo
.
Karin has served in a volunteer position since 1998 on the
Santa Barbara
’s Arts Advisory Board. Her educational program was honored by a prestigious
California Artist in Residence grant, and she has received three Independent
Theater Awards.
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