Career Transitioning Testimonials
"Kaitlin Hopkins is a priceless gift to our industry. Not only is she an incredible mentor, but she is someone who leads without ego. In my career transition from a professional Broadway actor into academia, Kaitlin gave me her limitless support and guidance; helping me build excellence into the dream of my next path as an educator. She supported this, just as a director would help an actor find their character, by helping me find my own voice as an educator; allowing me to build the confidence necessary to endure the unknown path ahead. With Kaitlin’s mentorship, I was able to attain my dream of becoming an Assistant Professor of Music Theatre immediately following my completion of my Master of Fine Arts. I am so thankful for her mentorship but even more so for her heartfelt friendship."
~ Michael D. Jablonski (Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre, Brenau University) "It would have been enough that Kaitlin took me by the hand and guided me through the process of structuring how to effectively meet all the requirements and expectations of the places I was applying to. The unexpected benefit of having her help is that I came to understand fully what made my qualifications and my experience truly unique, and through that, why I was worthy of serious consideration. I built confidence working with Kaitlin that is going to serve me no matter where I end up."
- Noah Racey (Actor, Director, Choreographer, Educator) "As an industry professional making the transition into higher education, Kaitlin was invaluable in helping me successfully prepare for the interview process, and in giving me an in-depth and thorough understanding of university culture. I highly recommend her."
- Dan Cooney (Actor, Director, Artistic Director) "Kaitlin Hopkins is an invaluable resource for the theatrical community. She has done an incredible job fostering a dialogue between professional artists and academia. I have sought her advice and guidance many times and she is my first phone call when I need to hash out balancing my role as a professional theatre artist with my role as a theatre educator. Kaitlin is an open-hearted, wildly gifted collaborator whose insight has proven to be selfless and deeply wise time and time again. I am proud to call her a colleague and friend.”
- Alexander Gemignani (Actor, Composer, Music Director, Educator) "I spent the majority of my career as an actor, singer, and playwright performing and making work in theatre and television and began to consider a shift into academia. After spending four years at my first job I began to realize that my needs were no longer being met with regard to practice and my new research goals. My first step was to seek guidance from Kaitlin Hopkins, who had accomplished a similar shift from practice to education. She was able to guide me through how best to convey the needs of the artist to administrators with limited experience in attending to the needs of the artist in transition. Kaitlin’s expertise and knowledge in multiple areas of theatre, performance, and arts administration provide both emerging young artists and professionals the opportunity for growth in practice and education. Thanks, Kaitlin, for your sharing and professionalism."
~ Keith Byron Kirk, Ph.D. (Actor, Director, Educator) "Kaitlin is a wealth of information. It was clear that before our first meeting she had mapped out specific ideas and thoughts that pertained not just to the path I want to pursue in my career but also just to me in general. She is knowledgeable, organized, and can obviously relate to where one is coming from due to her extensive work in the arts and academia. Talking to Kaitlin was a great step in planning the next chapter in my career."
~ Ben Crawford (Actor) “I can think of no greater 'midwife' for actors navigating the tricky terrain between academic and professional worlds than Kaitlin Hopkins. A brilliant actress and consultant, she is that rarest of individuals who can support both left- and right-brainers in uplevelling their art and business acumen simultaneously. ... I wish I had an angel like Kaitlin on my shoulder at all times!”
- Erik Liberman (Actor, Educator) |