Tress Kurzym
Program Coordinator, Theater Education
BFA Stephen F. Austin University
A graduate from Stephen F. Austin State University, Kurzym received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Directing. As a directing student, Kurzym was chosen to study abroad in London, England where she assisted directors on London’s famed West End and studied a variety of theatrical techniques. After earning her degree, she was selected to work as an assistant director at Milwaukee Repertory Theater and at First Stage Theater Academy in Milwaukee. Kurzym was then hired as a development associate for Houston’s Alley Theatre and worked with the education and community outreach program for the Tony award winning theatre. It was in these theaters that she was able to teach in-school residencies, run production talk-backs, and foster her love for theater education. In 2002, she was hired as a classroom theater teacher in the state of Texas and taught at the high school and middle school levels until 2014.
As a theater teacher, Kurzym frequently presented for the University Interscholastic League, the Texas Educational Theatre Association and Texas Thespian Festival. Under her direction at Austin High School, the department had three state-qualifying plays, eight district championships, over 20 Tommy Tune Award Nominations; including two wins, and over 50 students that qualified for the national thespian competition. Many of her students were fortunate enough to win scholarships to the top drama schools in the country and abroad. Since moving to Illinois in 2014, she has continued her work with theater education; most notably founding and operating her business StagePlay Learning, which is a company based on the concept of using theater skills as life skills. She resides in Edwardsville; is married to Kevin, and is the mother of their two children, Charlie and Chloe…whom she considers to be her most creative productions.
