Karin Hendricks-Bolen

Karin Hendricks-Bolen is an Associate Professor of Acting and Performance at Cal Poly's Theatre and Dance Department, serving as Associate Chair and Mainstage Production Director. She teaches courses in acting, voice/diction, dialects, musical theatre, and community-based theatre. Her professional work spans acting, directing, and dialect coaching in theatre.

Education:

• MFA in Acting, University of California, Irvine
• BFA in Musical Theatre, University of Arizona

Research & Practice: Hendricks-Bolen co-founded the Community Speaks! verbatim theatre project (2009–2016) and has developed over two dozen original clown shows using Eli Simon's Clown technique. She specializes in movement pedagogy, having designed curricula at PCPA (Pacific Conservatory Theatre) for 9 years. Her work emphasizes gender equity in theatre-making and community engagement through performance.

Teaching & Leadership: Faculty advisor for Cal Poly's improv troop Smile and Nod. Taught workshops internationally on topics like 'Bridging Movement and Impulse' and 'The Story Matters: Gender Equity in Theatre.'

Collaborations: Worked with notable figures such as Annie Loui (LMT founder), Scott Schwartz, and Anne Bogart, and presented at conferences including ATHE, SETC, and NAMT.