Kevin P. Kern

Kevin P. Kern is a Professor of Theatre and Artistic Director of Shakespeare at the Castle at Mount Union. He holds a B.A. in Drama from California Lutheran University and an M.F.A. in Acting from Brandeis University. His professional focus includes theatre education, emphasizing life skills such as public speaking and problem-solving through courses like Acting 1 and People, Society, and Theatre. Kern's research manifests through theatre creation rather than traditional academic papers. His proudest achievement is co-founding Shakespeare at the Castle, a professional theatre company in Alliance, Ohio, where he currently serves as Artistic Director.

He highlights Mount Union’s support for the arts via the Giese Center for the Performing Arts and notes the university’s unique culture of interdisciplinary double majors, including students combining Theatre with Japanese. Kern advocates for theatre’s relevance across academic disciplines, likening directing plays to a chef’s craft—transforming raw ideas into meaningful art.