Since there was talk about Jonathan Flom's earlier this spring, I thought I would post this follow-up. Kevin is a gifted teacher and incredible person. He is going to be a great addition to SU! ~VT
Shenandoah Conservatory has appointed Kevin Covert as director of musical theatre and assistant professor of theatre beginning August 2016.
“After leading this program for nine years, there is no one I’d rather be handing the ‘keys’ over to than my friend and colleague Kevin Covert,” stated current Musical Theatre Program Coordinator and Associate Professor of Theatre Jonathan Flom, M.F.A. “He is an industry insider with years of experience in New York theatre, and he’s a terrific teacher and mentor to students.”
Covert will succeed Flom who is pursuing his long-time dream of living and working internationally at the end of this academic year. Flom will move to Oslo, Norway, this summer to begin working with the musical theatre program at Bårdar Academy and will continue his relationship with Shenandoah through the ongoing exchange partnership with Bårdar.
“I’m grateful for the tremendous program building that Jonathan Flom has overseen,” said Dean Michael Stepniak, Ed.D. “Kevin will build on many exceptional initiatives that Jonathan developed during his time here.”
Covert comes to Shenandoah Conservatory as an accomplished actor, teacher, director and choreographer. He has performed in the original casts of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musicals Monty Python’s “Spamalot” and “Memphis,” as well as the Broadway revival of “How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying” where he performed alongside Daniel Radcliffe, John Larroquette, Beau Bridges, Darren Criss and Nick Jonas. Covert has also performed on the national tours of “South Pacific,” “Cats” and “Oklahoma!” Regional theatre appearances include performances at La Jolla Playhouse, Kansas City Starlight, Goodspeed, Houston TUTS, Sacramento Music Circus, North Shore Music Theater, and many others.
“It was a delight to meet Kevin when he was on campus and I wasn’t at all surprised when he rapidly emerged as the clear candidate of choice for our students and faculty,” said Stepniak. “Kevin brings exceptional experience in and around musical theatre performance at the highest level. But so very importantly he also brings a tremendous passion for mentorship and program building, and a real understanding of the hard work that great performance demands. In joining the conservatory, Kevin joins an exceptionally creative and collaborative community. I know that he will quickly become a highly treasured colleague. The fact that he originally heralds from Winchester is delightful too; he is poised and ready to further strengthen our already wonderful ties to this town and region.”
In addition to his extensive performance experience, Covert has directed and choreographed for a number of theatres, academic institutions and other performing arts organizations in New York, Florida and more. He has served as a director at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center in western Pennsylvania, DeSoto Family Theatre, Theatre Jacksonville, and Florida State University. He has served as associate director for “Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter” at Goodspeed Musicals, the pre-Broadway run of “In Your Arms” at NY Stage and Film, and the off-Broadway production of “Pageant.” Covert also worked as associate choreographer for the Tony Award-winning revival of “South Pacific” at Lincoln Center starring Kelli O’Hara and Matthew Morrison.
In addition to his extensive performing credits, Covert has also been an active educator serving as a guest instructor at Florida State University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Memphis, Flagler College, St. John’s River State College, Northwest Florida State College, Jacksonville University, and many others. Since 2013, Covert has served as Theatre Department Chair at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, Florida.