About Director

Kimberly Sumerel / Executive Director

Born in Birmingham Alabama and growing up in South Carolina, Ms. Sumerel attended Columbia College where she studied Speech Communications and Dance. She continued the remainder of her studies on a talent scholarship awarded by Brigham Young University in Theater/Cinematic Arts, followed by a successful career performing professionally, writing and directing plays for various arts and theater organizations throughout the South as well as designing cultural leisure events for city parks and recreation. After a short stint in New York City studying the dance choreography to the Broadway show, "A Chorus Line," Ms. Sumerel went on to further her artistic talents by directing and appearing in radio and television commercials for Mercantile Stores of New York, N.Y., Belk Lindsey Stores, J.C. Penny and Sears Stores.

In an effort to promote literacy, Ms. Sumerel organized Alabama high school creative writing events in cooperation with local and national literacy organizations by coordinating the book publication, What the World Needs Now. Ms. Sumerel has been involved in children’s theater for over 20 years and currently serves as Executive Director for Children's Educational Theater as well as produces live theater productions for Southern Arts & Artists Productions LLC www.livetheaterproductions.com As Director, Ms. Sumerel works in cooperation with organizations, schools and libraries throughout Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and parts of Florida, offering young people the opportunity to observe and understand the importance of self worth through educational theater with presentations and programs designed to encourage and promote self esteem. Ms. Sumerel is best known for writing and producing the award winning children's show, A Magical Pond, which was created in 1995.

A Magical Pond was winner in a national children’s writer’s competition. The story was later published by Kelly Press for a children’s bedtime story book. In 1996, the story was re-written for the stage, complimented with award winning music, recognized for its inspiring elements and uplifting beat and performed by some of the top talents in stage and theater. A Magical Pond has been critically acclaimed by parents and educators as one of the most innovative and inspirational stories about self worth, and the belief that…“Anything is possible, if you only believe”

In 2006, Ms. Sumerel was recognized as an award winning playwright at the Panoply Arts Festival in Alabama. Her play, Dinner with the Dixons, a story about families in the South, gave readers a look into the every day life of growing up “southern” with a humorous twist. In addition to writing and directing children's theater presentations, Ms. Sumerel offers creative programs to libraries. Ms. Sumerel & Company completed a busy 2008 library tour program, "Catch the Reading Bug," along with the Tennessee library program, "Starship Adventure at Your Library." All concluded to rave reviews with invitations to return again to assist with the 2009 summer theme, "Be Creative at Your Library."

Because Ms. Sumerel works very closely with the Alabama, Florida & Tennessee Department of Education, she is constantly challenged to design new creative programs for extended school summer curriculums. 2009 offered communities in three southern states, an opportunity to exercise their imagination in a summer filled with art, music, dance and drama! Summer 2010 was also a huge hit with Ms. Sumerel and Company touring 3 states where everyone "SPLASHED into READING!"

Ms. Sumerel also offers her talent as director and producer for Southern Arts & Artist's Productions LLC, a company designed to showcase the talents of artists in the South www.livetheaterproductions.com

When not directing or performing, Ms. Sumerel writes promotional and media material for private companies and individuals seeking to promote their business through written work and is a contributing writer to several businesses on the Internet. Ms. Sumerel has 2 daughters, one a renowned professional make up artist and the other a marketing graduate of Florida State University . She enjoys painting, creative writing, jazz, scuba diving, golf, hockey, pro baseball, crafts and the fabulous singing voice of Linda Eder!!

E-mail: Sumerel@theaterforchildren.com

A Night at the Copa

SOLD OUT!!

A special thank you to all who attended and for also supporting the arts!

www.livetheaterproductions.com

Highlights of Ms. Sumerel's Career

Ms. Sumerel has been presenting educational programming and cultural events for over 25 years. She brings her expertise and experience to organizations wanting to enhance their creative curriculums by offering programs that encourage, educate and inspire!

SOUTH CAROLINA

Former member/SC Fine Arts Commission
Recipient of grant from Washington D.C. to represent South Carolina in Cali South America/ Purpose: Present Cultural Arts Presentation

Artistic Instructor/ Columbia College Gingerbread Theater, Workshop Theater, Columbia College Dance Company

Programming/ Writer & Artistic Director for Stage and television fashion shows for Mercantile Stores, Fashion Freedom, Changing Moods on Campus, Fashion Phoenix, Fashion Forum, etc. Professional model and commentary for J,B, Whites television and radio commercials (Seen on WNOK TV/CBS affiliate, WOLO TV/ABC affiliate, WIS TV/NBC affiliate. Performer and production coordinator for SCTV (South Carolina Educational Television)

Organizer and writer for various city benefit fashion events; Easter Seal Society for Crippled Children, Heart Fund, Mid Carolina Health Society, Midlands Association for the Retarded Children, etc.

Selected Youth Advisory Council for SEVENTEEN MAGAZINE

Special Events Programming Instructor/ South Carolina Commission for the Blind

Special Media Promoter/Writer and participant in radio and television commercials for J.B. White’s Department Stores, Belk Lindsey Stores, J.C. Penny Stores and Sears Stores

Winner of Junior Fashion Board Award (Mercantile Stores) in a non-visual program for blind teenagers of SC and for the boards program on Drug Abuse

Writer/Movement/ Script Consultant South Carolina First Nighters Theatrical Readers

Artistic Choreographer/Stage South Touring Company

Writer/ Coordinator for Stage South Playbill/ Seasonal (Advertising)

Public Relations/ Writer for Belk Linsdey Department Store Fashion Shows

Special Events and Dance Coordinator/ St. Andrews Parks Department

Creative Programming Designer/ Charleston Parks Department

Served on the Advisory Board of the University of South Carolina Health Fitness Program

UTAH

Scholarship/ Brigham Young University/ Drama Cinematic Arts Award

Choreographer/ Director/ Brigham Young University

NEW YORK

Studied choreography/ A CHORUS LINE BROADWAY SHOW

FLORIDA

Served as Hostess to the Annual Congress for Recreation and Parks

Served in the Entertainment and Education Department/ Sea World of Florida/ Public relations and commentary for shows

Contracted to design leisure, cultural and fitness programs for Metropolitan Life Properties

Committee Member Florida Artisans

ALABAMA

Organizer for high school literacy program, '"What the World Needs Now," in cooperation with local and national literacy organizations. Coordinator of book publication for Alabama students who participated in the promotion of literacy programs.

Speaker/Presenter

2005 Alabama Alliance for Arts Education

2006 Alabama Readers Association State Conference /Huntsville
2008 Alabama Library Association Conference/Birmingham

2006/2008 Alabama Book Festival/Montgomery
2006-2010 Florida Libraries
2006- 2010 Alabama Libraries
2006-2010 Tennessee Libraries

Executive Director –Children’s Educational Theater Programs

Southern Arts & Artists Productions LLC

PROMOTIONAL EVENTS

WOLO RADIO AND WLTX TV

WIS TV

WNOK TV

SECTV Educational TV South Carolina
FOX MORNING SHOW
IN THE KNOW WITH THE SHOALS Alabama

DECATUR TV PROMO
STARBUCKS COFFEE
NBA & NFL CHEERLEADING SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR/

Tennessee and Alabama

Mall Associations
Woodhill Mall/ Dutch Square Mall & Richland Mall

Decatur Mall Special Events

Bridge Street

Carolina Coliseum

(Half time entertainment coordinator for The University of South Carolina) Audience 17,000+

Summer 2010 has been a HUGE SUCCESS! On the behalf of everyone involved in making the summer educational tour a success, we sincerely thank you for your hard work and for also welcoming us into your wonderful communitites!

Thank you parents, teachers, library administrators, staff, students, performing artists, and most important, thank you to all those who "believe!"

Remember......"Anything is possible, if you only believe!"

K. Sumerel

Children's Educational Theater

"Where imaginations are allowed to RUN WILD!" ****************Instructor Jackie Mason with students