Laura Kirk is an accomplished filmmaker renowned for her remarkable work in the film industry. Based in Kansas, she has made a significant impact in the world of cinema. Her educational background is impressive, having studied with esteemed professionals such as Wynn Handman, Suzanne Esper, and Alan Arkin in New York.
Kirk's professional journey began with her association with the Workhouse Theatre Company, where she was a founding member, and later became a founding teaching artist with the Dreamyard Drama Project. Her extensive experience spans regional, off-Broadway, and commercial productions before she co-wrote and starred in one of the pioneering digital films, "Lisa Picard is Famous: Cannes," released in 2000. This groundbreaking film is featured in John Gaspard's book "Fast, Cheap and Under Control: Lessons Learned from the Greatest Low Budget Movies of All Time."
After a successful career on both coasts, Kirk returned to her native Kansas, where she pursued an MFA in Screenwriting from Stephens College, located on the renowned Jim Henson lot campus. Today, she serves as a professor at the University of Kansas, focusing on filmmaking and theatre performance. Her research areas of expertise include filmmaking and theatre performance.
When not engaged in her academic pursuits, Kirk is an avid birder, gardener, dog lover, and passionate mentor. Her commitment to social justice and storytelling drives her to address inequity, update historical narratives, and share untold stories that deserve to be heard.
