Arts for Humanity (AH!), Founder, Executive/Artistic Director: An Arts Outreach Organization that embraces diversity through the arts. AH! provides educational and therapeutic programs to people with developmental disabilities, at-risk youth, and the elderly. AH! also creates Theatre/Dance productions, performed by The Blue Moon Player’s, a troupe of actors and dancers with and without disabilities. Karsen works as an artist/facilitator, trainer, theatre director, commuity laison, and in program and organizational development.
Consultant Services / Creative Arts Specialist: Counseling, training and creativity development, providing services for individuals and groups of all ages and abilities. Consultant for therapeutic, educational and social service organizations. Presently, since 1989
Creator, Director, Producer and Performer: Original Theatre/Dance productions with mixed ability performers presented at professional venues. These innovative and inspired productions include: “Dreams Come True,” UCSB Multicultural Center, 1998, “Rising of the Grass and Blue Moon Flowers,”Center Stage Theater, 1999, “Blue Moon Rising,” San Marcos High School Theatre, 2000, “SapphireEyes,” Crane School Theatre, 2002, “Isle of Silk,” Center Stage Theater, 2004, and “Zabella’s Circle,” Center Stage Theater, 2006
Activities Specialist for the Elderly: Providing Expressive Arts groups and staff training in the integration of creative activities. Casablanca Alzheimer’s Care facility, Oakview, CA, Garden Court, Samarkand, Cottage Care, Casa Dorinda, Olive Gardens, and Buena Vista. Santa Barbara, CA. Presently, since 1999
Creative Arts Specialist for the Developmentally Disabled: Facilitating groups in Expressive Arts and directing developmentally disabled clients in therapeutic theatre. Also providing staff training in the application of creative arts activities for a wide range of differently-abled clients. The Devereaux Foundation, residential treatment facility for the developmentally disabled, Santa Barbara, CA. 1995 – 2002
Artist in Residence / 2001 & 2002 Summer Solstice Celebration: Inclusion-based community arts projects and parade participation including the general public, developmentally disabled and children of the Milagro Dance Project from Ladera Street Apts. Santa Barbara, CA. 2001 & 2002
Psychosocial Educational and Expressive Arts Therapist for Psychiatric Clients:: Originated and implemented programs and facilitated groups. Pacific Shores Outpatient Treatment Center, psychiatric, dual-diagnosed and geriatric population, Santa Barbara, CA. 1993 – 1995, Santa Barbara Women’s Center at Alamar Hospital, a community oriented center for personality and mood disorders, Santa Barbara, CA. 1991 – 1994
Rehabilitation Activities Coordinator, Primary, Group and Art Therapist: Facilitated groups for day treatment and in-patient psychiatric clients, children, adolescent and adult patients. Charter Hospital, Thousand Oaks, CA. 1990 – 1991, Vista Del Mar Hospital, Ventura, CA 1990 – 1991, The Sanctuary House, Residential Adult Psychiatric Center, Santa Barbara, CA. 1987 – 1993
Home / School Liaison: Provided social work services and play therapy for elementary school children. Family Service Agency, Child Guidance Clinic, Santa Barbara, CA. 1989 – 1991
Counselor and Creative Arts Therapist: Klein Bottle Social Advocates for Youth crisis shelter for adolescents, Santa Barbara, CA. 1989 – 1990
Assistant Group and Drama Therapist: Bellevue Hospital, psychiatric outpatient unit, New York, NY. 1986
Staff Educator: Facilitated public social servie staff towards better coping and professional skills through education and improvisation. “PACT” (Performing Arts for Crisis Training, Inc.) a public service program, New York, NY. 1984
Actor / Trainer: Co-facilitated theatre workshops for adult psychiatric patients in conjunction with the psychiatric staff. “Imagination Workshop” UCLA – Neuropsychiatric Institute Los Angeles, CA. 1980 – 1982
Creative Drama and Movement Teacher, Theatre Director (ages 5 – 18): At a variety of Santa Barbara locals: Center Stage Theatre, Peanut Gallery, The Waldorf School, Upward Bound, Charter Middle School, Roosevelt School, YMCA, Washington School, Alpha Resource Center, Devereux Foundation, Transition Program, Santa Barbara, CA. 1991 – 2008
Instructor for educational workshops “The Artist’s Way ” Antioch University, Santa Barbara, CA. “Creative Expression: Healing Tools for Those Touched by Breast Cancer” Breast Resource Center, Santa Barbara, CA.1996
Staff Educational Seminars in the integration of Creative Arts at various educational and therapeutic facilities such as Child Abuse Listening and Mediation (CALM), Alzheimers Association, Devereux Foundation, Samarkand, Santa Barbara, CA. 1997-2000
Director, Counselor and Teacher for after school and summer programs featuring field trips, art and performance (ages 5 – 14): “MOBOC” (Mobile Open Classroom), Alternative Elementary and Junior High School, Santa Monica, CA. 1981 – 1982
Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology /MFCC requirements with Creative Arts Therapy Concentration. Antioch University, Santa Barbara, CA. 1987 – 1989
Bachelor of Arts Double Degree in Creative Arts: Education and Therapy, and Theatre/Movement Arts. Empire State College, New York, NY. 1984 – 1986
Drama Therapy Training and Certification Course The New School for Social Research, New York, NY. 1986
Theatre School in conjunction with the dance and film schools. California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA.
1971 – 1973
Professional Acting School, The Goodman School of Drama, Chicago, IL. 1970 – 1971
• Certified Drama Therapist
• National Drama Therapy Member
References, DVD’s and reviews of theatrical work available upon request.