Redfern Welcomes New Artistic Director

The Redfern Arts Center at Keene State College is pleased to welcome its new Artistic Director, Stephanie Bass Abrams. Bringing more than 20 years of experience in arts management, Bass Abrams has worked as an artistic director for several companies in the San Francisco Bay Area and later founded Kinetic Theory Circus Arts in Los Angeles, Calif.; now she brings her expertise to our quaint corner of New Hampshire. Under her leadership, Kinetic Theory grew into the largest school for circus-theatre in Southern California. The company launched the careers of many professional artists — including performers with Cirque du Soleil and 7 Fingers — while serving thousands of patrons annually in Los Angeles' only dedicated circus-theatre venue. Kinetic Theory also collaborated with high-profile productions such as Cirque du Soleil and America's Got Talent. Bass Abrams credits her strong work ethic to her roots in mime, circus and vaudeville. A world-touring mime and contortionist, she is an award-winning performer and director. Over the years, she has written and directed more than 30 original productions and served as director and dramaturg for many others. Her theatrical work has been performed across New England, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Berkeley, New York City, Washington, D.C. and in 10 countries — including a run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2015. Bass Abrams is excited to join the Redfern and has ambitious plans to support and strengthen its mission. These include showcasing student and faculty performances and presenting nationally recognized programming to the wider community. "Moving from LA to this region has felt a little stifling to me. We need to drive to Boston or Burlington to see shows and it's not accessible to a lot of people. I want people to know that the intention is for the Redfern to bring high-caliber performances and see the same type of performances as there would be in the city," explained Bass Abrams. Since 1981, the Redfern Arts Center has been committed to fostering creative collaboration between students, faculty, artists, staff and the community. Its goal is to spark meaningful cultural engagement through the performing arts. This fall season is no exception, with a lineup of exciting performances and new developments already underway. Fall 2025 Season Highlights Include: Apple Hill String Quartet – Oct. 17, 7 p.m. Dances on Film by Tori Lawrence – Oct. 24 & 25, 7:30 p.m. Faculty Series: Calliope's Call Presents Emily/Edna: Art Songs of Dickinson and Millay, Christina Wright-Ivanova, Piano – Nov. 1, 7 p.m. The Bridges of Madison County, Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, Book by Marsha Norman, based on the novel by Robert James Waller – Nov. 19–21, 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 22, 2 p.m. In addition to these mainstage and spotlight events, the Music Department will present 14 student concerts, six guest and faculty recitals and a free Wednesday workshop series at 2 p.m. The Theatre and Dance Department will also feature a choreography showcase in the Mabel Brown Room at the Student Center. "Next fall I plan to offer students and the larger Keene community enriching cultural arts performances. It's been several years since they've officially had a presenting series. The series is designed to bring in companies from other regions ideally nationally and internationally recognized companies that we can bring in and offer to students and the community," Bass Abrams said. "I want people to see live performances, especially the younger generations. Going to live performances, whether it is live concerts, theater, dance, whatever it may be, we should make sure that young audiences are a part of that and that our community has access to it." All Redfern performances are free for Keene State students, $15 for the general public and $10 for seniors and youth. The Redfern Arts Center is located at 90 Wyman Way in Keene. For the full performance calendar, visit www.keene.edu/redfern.