Kiley Lawrence is a Virginia based creative with entrepreneurial drive and a well read imagination.

Kiley is a graduate of Hillsdale College with a BA in Theatre. She works as a freelance script writer for The Merry Beggars . She is the founder and executive director of the summer traveling theatre company, Embers. Kiley aspires to own and operate her own community theatre in Northern Virginia to create opportunities for young artists through summer camps, a year-round professional performance season, and an annual college theatre festival.

Employment History

Founder, Producer & Director at Embers Theatre, Arlington, VA

2016 — Present

  • Built a trusted brand and community of artists and families.

  • Developed an annual amateur tour: directed 11 actors, recruited 6 musicians and raised $3,000 for a 5-night tour in 2023.

  • Directed summer theatre camps starting in 2016 (25 campers in 2023).

  • Wrote and directed seven original plays.

Script Writer at The Merry Beggars at Relevant Radio, Chicago, IL

2020 — Present

  • Developed the 22-episode original radio series On the Night Train.

  • Recurring writer on The Saints series. Wrote 40 produced scripts in 1 year.

  • Mentored by Peter Atkinson, Buzz McLaughlin, and Judy Zocchi.

Writing Assistant at The Merry Beggars at Relevant Radio, Chicago, IL

September 2023 — Present

  • Gave copy edits on scripts and casting breakdowns.

  • Contributed to writing style guides with Head of Script Development.

  • Organized writer's workshops for ongoing learning and increased communication. On boarded new writers to The Saints team.

  • Developed an automated meeting process using Calendly.

Education

Theatre BA, Hillsdale College, Hillsdale

2021 — 2024. 3.7 GPA. 

 Kehoe Family Initiative for Entrepreneurial Excellence

2021 — 2024: Developed Embers Theatre with this inaugural entrepreneurship cohort at Hillsdale.

Directing

Saints Series, The Merry Beggars at Relevant Radio

December 2023 — April 2024: Directed Saint Dymphna and Clare of Assisi in the Saints series.

Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare in the Arb at Hillsdale College, MI

April 2024

As You Like It, Embers Theatre

July 2023: A touring five-night production with high school and college students. Commissioned and coordinated live music.