Meet Teaching Artist Kirsten Baity
We’re highlighting the incredible Teaching Artists who contribute their skills, energy, and enthusiasm to Court’s Education Initiative. These artists have a wealth of experience in both education and theatre, and we feel honored to partner with them for our Artists-in-the-Schools program. In this post, we’re featuring Teaching Artist Kirsten Baity.
When did you know you wanted to work in theatre? At what age did that become clear?
I saw a live performance of The Lion King at 6 years old. I was overwhelmed by how beautiful the costumes and puppets were, and there were so many gorgeous Black people on stage singing and dancing. I knew that I wanted to be part of making something that awe-inspiring.
Was there a teacher, teaching artist, or mentor that helped you find your love of theatre? Tell us about them and how their guidance still helps you today.
I had a lot of teachers and teaching artists who I think shaped me as an artist and a human but Khanisha Foster and Jireh L. Drake are definitely standouts. Khanisha is simultaneously intimidatingly awesome and incredibly inviting. I always felt like if she was impressed by my work that she truly thought it was good and not just good for a kid. She taught me that I never needed to apologize for being who I am and that my story is worth telling. JLD (a term of endearment bestowed on them by the youth) taught me that I didn’t have to always be working to deserve community and care. That’s a lesson I’m still working to internalize, but their voice is always in the back of my mind when I’m thinking about taking on more labor.
Why did you want to become a Teaching Artist?
I’ve always loved teaching. I love that moment when someone understands a new concept or does something they didn’t think they could. Ultimately I wanted to be a teaching artist specifically because I got to see great teachers who were also amazing at their chosen art form and keeping my own artistic practice is important to me.
What’s your favorite thing about being a Teaching Artist at Court, specifically?
The freedom to build a relationship with the partner teacher so we can create the best residency for their youth.
Other than teaching artistry, what other hats do you wear in theatre?
I’m a playwright, intimacy director and performer.
What play or character from a play most describes you?
I think the plays that describe me best are A Year with Frog and Toad and American Psycho: The Musical.
Kirsten Baity (they/them) is a Chicago-based playwright, intimacy director, and teaching artist. Kirsten’s plays have been developed and produced by About Face Theatre, Second Site, Perceptions Theatre, and Definition Theatre. Favorite intimacy directing credits include Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Haven Chicago); Last Night and the Night Before (Steppenwolf Theatre); Tick, Tick…Boom! (BoHo Theatre), Rent (Porchlight Music Theatre); Jekyll & Hyde, American Psycho: The Musical, and Sweeney Todd (Kokandy Productions); Mosque4Mosque and The Magnolia Ballet (About Face Theatre). As a teaching artist, Kirsten has designed and facilitated residencies, intensives, and workshops across Chicago with organizations, including Goodman Theatre, 2nd Story, About Face Youth Theatre, Free Street Theater, and the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health.