About Barbara Kite
Hi. Here's where I tell you a little about myself.
I am someone who is passionate about, and totally committed to, coaching actors and speakers in mastering the art of communication through acting skills - someone who has created a safe and challenging environment where all can grow.I'm a New York trained actress and I have worked as a professional actor, director and acting coach in Toronto, New York and Portland for over 30 years. It has been a very rewarding experience helping speakers, actors, writers, film-makers, directors and singers to grow in their art and their life.
My professional work includes over 300 movies, television series, soaps, commercials, industrials and voice-overs - some of which I wish I hadn't done. Oh well, - learning through mistakes.
Some of my credits include (TV - movies, series, soaps) All My Children, As the World Turns, So the Story Goes, Duplicates, Without Warning: Terror in the Towers, Praying Mantis, Under Suspicion and Nowhere Man. Theatre credits (New York and Toronto) include The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, The Beau Strategem, Hay Fever, Round and Round the Garden, A Little Night Music, The Cat and the Canary, Icarus's Mother and Trojan Women. I have to admit theatre is truly my first love. Film and TV are all about "hurry up" and "wait" and theatre affords one a real exchange between people and a real sense of the character's growth.
I graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (NY) where I had the best time exploring acting. Just to put the icing on the cake I received the Jehlingher Award when I graduated the AADA. I graduated with an Honors Bachelor of Fine Arts from York University and received a scholarship to study in Poland at the Grotowski workshop as well as at the Film Institute in Lublin (Polanski's alma mater).
I had an exciting time collaborating with poet/playwright Victoria Sullivan as Co-artistic Director of the Women's Production Company in New York City where I got to direct and act in plays specifically written for and about women.
I am a member of NSA (National Speakers Association), AFTRA (American Federation of Television Artists), SAG (Screen Actors' Guild). AEA (Actors' Equity Association), ACTRA, (Association of Canadian Television and Radio Artists), NWBN (Northwest Business Network), and the NWCA (North West Coaches Association), BDI ( Business Development Network) and Portland Connect. I am also a member of itafari, a very special foundation that helps the people of Rwanda rebuild their country after the genocide.
I am proud of the work I've done with Teen actors in helping them present important works to their community dealing with teen immigrants (Border Crossings) and Portland's remaining holocaust survivors (NAKT: Stories from the Holocaust).
See REVIEWS
Currently - as a director I am honored to have been the acting coach/director on TANGOING WITH TORNADOES a wonderful play about domestic abuse, written by award winning Oregonian journalist, S. Renee Mitchell.
TOGETHER WITH RENEE I HAVE CREATED A ONE WOMAN SHOW FOR HER THAT HAS TOURED GUAM, TALLAHASSEE AND NEW ORLEANS AND PLANS ARE BEING MADE FOR TOURING MORE CITIES AND COUNTRIES.
I enjoyed my work as Acting Coach on the movie, WELCOME TO MY SCENE (about a punk rock group from PORTLAND in the 80's).
As a speaking/presentation coach, I am working as a consultant for various firms as well is conducting PRIVATE SESSIONS IN authentic communication (speakers with acting skills always have the edge) on a regular basis. And I am scheduling LUNCHEON and DINNER SPEAKING EVENTS .I am proud of my work as advisor and producer for ITAFARI, an organization helping the people of Rwanda rebuild their country. For more information go to www.itafari.org