Ariana Karp

Actor, director, educator, and cellist

Artistic Director, International Shakespeare Center Santa Fe

M.A. Classical Acting for the Professional Theatre, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art

B.A., Literature-Theatre, Reed College

I am so excited about the development of the Performing Arts Wing at Memorial! In these very difficult times, performing arts have the capacity to empower us, foster our intellectual and creative growth, and create community. It is not a coincidence that when local arts are supported and strengthened, communities flourish. When I have the privilege to work with high school students on theatre, it has struck me that one of the by-products of learning to act is the cultivation of radical empathy, and the power of that skill should never be underestimated. It is what makes people support and have the courage to stand up for each other, and that empathy is more vital than ever. High School students desperately need safe spaces to express themselves creatively, intellectually and emotionally. Building a revitalized space at JMM and giving them tools to express themselves through music, movement, and theatre is essential. 
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Ariana is an actor, director, educator, and cellist based in NYC. She is the Artistic Director of the International Shakespeare Center Santa Fe, a member of The Shakespeare Ensemble (curated by Ben Crystal), and the producer and curator of Tabling: The Podcast, and Radio Shakespeare Lab, available on all podcasting platforms. She has made theatre in New York, London, Madison, WI, Portland, OR, Santa Fe, NM and Japan. Ariana has also completed residencies and conducted workshops for actors of all ages throughout the US. She is an alumna of London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) with a Masters degree in Classical Acting for the Professional Theatre, and Reed College with a BA in Literature-Theatre. Over the last three years she has incorporated original cello and vocal compositions into her theatrical work and is also a cellist for the Brooklyn-based progressive folk rock band, Satin Nickel.