Popular theater training program accepting fall registrations.
After seeing an elementary school friend in a play, Kyle Kate Dudley enrolled in her first class at The Drama Studio, an after-school conservatory-style theater training program based in Springfield.
There, Dudley, who struggled in ballet, fell in love with acting, but had no idea she would one day return as the studio's managing director.
After graduating Springfield Central High School, Dudley headed to -- where else -- New York University.
"It was very important for me to go to New York. I was one of those 18 year olds who could see myself in no other place. NYU was both challenging and enlightening, and the time I spent earning a BFA in acting was important to me, but on a different level," said Dudley, whose education sent her exploring in a different direction.
"It was heartbreaking to fall out of love with acting at that time, but it opened doors for me that had been closed before by my single-mindedness about a life in the theater," said Dudley, who interned at Western Massachusetts Legal Services after graduation.
She also worked for Flying Kites Global, an organization with stateside offices in Rhode Island, that operates Children's Home and Academy is in Kinangop, Kenya.
While studying in Barcelona to become an English as Second Language teacher, Dudley received an invitation that brought her back to Springfield.
"Steve Hays called and asked me to be his apprentice," said Dudley, about the founder of Stage West, who went on to establish the Drama Studio some 27 years ago.
"I was fortunate to have worked with Steve for so many years as a student, actor, and teaching artist, so that by the time I was his apprentice, we had a great way of communicating and working together."
Dudley transitioned into the role of managing director when Hays retired in 2011. She is now leaving that position to resume her education.
"He knew everything about everything," she said. "Steve has the greatest artistic leadership mind and his ability to balance creativity with business is mind-boggling. He was a transformative role model for me."
Dudley also worked with conservatory director Amelia Hays-Rivest, and artistic director Dan Morbyrne.
"Amelia is a compassionate, thoughtful, empowering educator, and Dan is, in my opinion, one of the most provocative, exciting theater directors of our generation," Dudley said.
Dudley cultivated the program's outreach expansion project, and worked to increase theater opportunities for young people in the form of training residencies with Greater Springfield public schools, and community organizations during the school day and afterschool.
She also helped to strengthen the studio's touring program, literacy workshops, and field trip collaborations. In the last three years, the outreach programs have served more than 30 schools and organizations.
"It was difficult at first to be on the other side because I missed the creativity and companionship that came with being a student, but I found great joy in providing new young people with The Drama Studio experience," Dudley said.
To register for fall classes at The Drama Studio, visit http://dramastudio.org/