My Story

Kenna (they/them) is Queer Artist based in San Diego, CA. They are 24 years old and were born and raised in Oceanside, CA. They have always had a love for the arts and a passion for helping people. Kenna started performing Shakespeare as early as 7th grade and has been expanding on their skills in all places of the theatre since then.

After Kenna came out in high school, they joined the leadership team for their high school’s GSA where they discovered a passion advocating for justice for houseless LGBTQ+ youth. Kenna then pursued a Bachelors in Drama and a Minor in Sociology from University of California, Irvine.

During their time at UC Irvine, Kenna became a Producer and Head of Communications for “Brick Theatre Company”, an LGBTQ+ based theatre company at UC Irvine that focuses on new works and intersectional stories. There, they helped produce Brick Theatre Company’s “New Play Festival”. Kenna’s play “Goodbye Letters from Ghost’s Brothers” was featured during this festival through play-reading and movement-based storytelling (directed by Lauren Rotante). Goodbye Letters from Ghost’s Brothers tells the story of a young queer teen who runs away from abusive homophobic parents after coming out and ends up in an even worse situation. This is told through the perspective of “Ghost’s” friends.

Kenna also had the opportunity to produce and direct the play “Acute Exposure” written by Alice Hakvaag. This is a coming-of-age play which tells the story of two young queer girls coping with being new adults in the world while the weight of the climate crisis hangs over their relationship and their mental health.

Kenna’s future goals includes expanding on their play “Goodbye Letters from Ghost’s Brothers” and having it fully produced, directing and writing more coming-of-age themed plays and screenplays, bringing theatre arts to people in need, writing a poetry book, performing more physical-based theatre, and pursuing a Masters Degree. They are currently working at New Village Arts, Carlsbad as a stage manager, carpenter, and props designer.