ABOUT ME

Howdy y’all!

 

I'm Katherine (she/her), a freelance journalist, photographer and social media manager.

 

Once upon a time, I dreamed of performing on stage. Now, I dream of writing about it.

 

I'm a dedicated storyteller with years of performance, education and production experience; extensive theater and journalism training; and an insatiable curiosity.

 

My undergraduate training in theater and dance at Rowan University, along with my experience working in the theater industry, gives me a unique perspective on creating and presenting stories that resonate with audiences. As a master’s candidate in the Goldring Arts Journalism and

Communications program at the

S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, I’m honing my reporting skills to integrate my theater artist past with my journalist present. 

I weave creativity, empathy and humor into my work. Art is playful, and my writing reflects that. I specialize in features, critical essays and profiles focused on theater, film, television and pop culture with a keen interest in the ways art interacts with identity.

 

I'm also skilled at translating my storytelling skills to successful social media marketing strategies that connect to and engage with audiences - all with a little razzle dazzle (and a few puns, for good measure).

Want to collaborate? Send me an email at kiessl.kat@gmail.com or find me on Twitter and Instagram @katkiessl.

Katherine in a light denim jumpsuit sits on a stool, chin resting on her hand as she looks at the camera.
Katherine in a light denim jumpsuit sits on a stool laughing and holding her forehead.

RESUME

SCROLL & READ OR DOWNLOAD AS A PDF

KATHERINE KIESSLING

she/her/hers - Syracuse, NY - 609-501-7211 - kiessl.kat@gmail.com - www.katkiessl.com

 

EXPERIENCE:

Freelance journalist - Central New York (Jul. 2021-present)

  • Pitch and report on arts and culture, specializing in theater, television, film and culture

  • Write critical reviews, essays, features and profiles

  • Shoot and edit coordinating photos as needed

  • Bylines include syracuse.com/The Post-Standard, The NewsHouse, Rochester City Newspaper and CNY Magazine

 

Social Media Director - The NewsHouse - Syracuse, NY (Dec. 2021-present)

  • Promote published stories on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

  • Create supplemental graphics

  • Analyze metrics to improve audience engagement

  • Oversee digital social media producers, including proofing social copy for AP Style, accuracy and branding.

 

Graduate Assistant - Office of Graduate Programs, Newhouse - Syracuse, NY (Sept. 2021-present)

  • Coordinate team of student bloggers to produce content for Newhouse Insider

  • Manage @newhousemasters Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

  • Communicate with prospective students to answer admissions questions, coordinate tours and schedule program director meetings

  • Create supplemental office and marketing material using Adobe InDesign

 

Digital Producer - The NewsHouse - Syracuse, NY (Aug. 2021-present)

  • Pitch and report stories on arts, culture and lifestyle news in and around Syracuse University

  • Package stories for digital publication in CMS

  • Analyze website traffic metrics

  • Assist with social media via  Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

 

Director of Education - The Levoy Theatre - Millville, NJ  (Nov. 2019-April 2021) 

  • Planned, budgeted and executed the dual county Cumberland & Cape May Counties Teen Arts Festival. Coordinate festival logistics including the hiring of teaching artists and adjudicators; communicating with schools; overseeing school registration; adjudication submissions; planning out workshop and adjudication schedule; coordinating local media coverage; maintaining the festival website; and communicating with the NJ State Festival. Doubled attendance in my first year and successfully executed a virtual festival my second.

  • Planned and budgeted The Levoy's annual Summer Camps for students age 7-17. Tasks included hiring staff; choosing shows and applying for production rights; overseeing registration; communicating directly with parents; tracking tuition payment; coordinating camp resources between two buildings; and serving as the camps' administrator, monitoring the teaching standards of the lead instructors. 

  • Organized and executed The Levoy's Daytime Series of educational programming. Tasks include surveying teachers for show options; booking touring performances for the upcoming school year; advertising field trips to schools and overseeing registration; developing study guides as needed for shows; creating seating charts for performances; and overseeing a team of volunteers and theater staff 

 

Marketing Assistant & Social Media Manager - The Levoy Theatre - Millville, NJ (Oct. 2018-July 2020)

  • Created and executed marketing plans for Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

  • Designed supplemental content including show-specific graphics, short video clips and rehearsal footage. 

  • Wrote and submitted press releases for various programming.

  • Managed the Facebook advertising campaign for The Levoy, including creating and executing ad campaign schedules, collaborating with the design team and artists' reps on content, researching target demographics, studying ad analytics to improve strategy and managing a social media marketing budget 

  • Developed a radio advertising schedule, scheduled spots with local stations and wrote scripts. 

  • Wrote and scheduled emails via Constant Contact to members, season subscribers and email contact 

 

EDUCATION:

Syracuse University 

S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications

Master of Arts Goldring Arts Journalism & Communications 

May 2022

 

Rowan University 

College of Performing Arts 

Bachelor of Arts Theatre Arts

Concentrations: Pre-Teaching; Acting & Directing

Bachelor of Arts Dance

May 2016 Summa Cum Laude

Joseph Robinette Excellence in Theatre and Dance Medallion Recipient 

 

SKILLS:

  • AP Style

  • Copyediting

  • Critical, news and feature writing

  • Familiar with non-profit business structures

  • WordPress, Wix

  • Mailchimp, Constant Contact

  • Event planning

  • Grant writing

  • HTML and CSS

  • Canva graphic design

  • Adobe XD, InDesign, Lightroom and Photoshop

  • Microsoft Office Suite; Google Drive Suite

  • DSLR Photography

  • Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

  • New Jersey State Drivers License & US Passport

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