About Kenzie
I'm a dedicated theater teacher and designer based in Salt Lake City, UT and I recently graduated from the University of Utah’s Theater Teaching B.F.A. program.
In the Fall of 2023, I enrolled in the Urban Institute for Teacher Education at the University of Utah. While working toward my teaching license in theater, I student-taught at Cottonwood High in Murray, UT. There, I taught four classes full-time: beginning, intermediate, and advanced theater, as well as stage crew.
After completing my student teaching in March 2024, I took on a full-time substitute role for the theater teacher at Legacy Preparatory Academy in Woods Cross, UT. For two months, I taught grades 7-9 in Dance Company, Intermediate Musical Theater, Advanced Musical Theater, and two tech theater classes. I also taught four rotating sixth-grade classes. I had such a positive experience at Legacy that when a music theater position opened up at their joined elementary school, I jumped at the opportunity. Starting in August 2024, I'll be the elementary music teacher, where I'll also get to produce two musicals a year with grades 1-6.
I served as the Vice President of the Theater Teaching Students’ Coterie at the University of Utah and have been teaching at the University’s theater summer program, Youth Theater at the U, since 2022.
When I'm not teaching, you'll often find me behind the stage, working on various projects such as costume design and construction, scenic design and construction, scenic painting, as well as costume and deck running crew.
I'm passionate about using theater education to create positive social change, combining my love for the arts with a desire to make a meaningful impact on the world.
Contact me via email - kenziemerritt4@gmail.com
As a theater educator, my teaching philosophy is centered around the belief that theater is a powerful tool for personal and social transformation. I believe that theater has the ability to foster empathy, cultivate creativity, and empower individuals to tell their stories and explore different perspectives.
In my classroom, I strive to create a safe and inclusive environment where students feel comfortable taking creative risks and expressing themselves freely. I believe in the importance of creating a collaborative learning experience, where students can learn from one another and contribute to a shared understanding of the material.
As a theater educator, I also believe in the power of theater to create positive social change. I encourage my students to use theater as a means of exploring social issues and advocating for change in their communities. I believe that theater has the ability to inspire empathy and understanding, and I strive to help my students harness this power to make a positive impact in the world.
Teaching Philosophy
“The true purpose of arts education is not necessarily to create more professional dancers or artists. Its to create more complete human beings who are critical thinkers, who have curious minds, who can lead productive lives” -Kelly Pollock, 2018
Current Projects
Director
Director
Original Devised One-Act
