Theater prof finds passion through teaching and the stage
In theater things are always changing. New shows continue to be created and the dream of becoming a star on Broadway is the ultimate goal. It’s bright, it’s new, there’s no business like show business. That is why Kevin Doyle, professor in the theatre arts department, enjoys what he does.
“That’s what I like about theater,” Doyle said. “There’s always another new project.”
Doyle holds a bachelor’s degree in theater from St. Louis University and a Master of Fine Arts in acting and directing from University of Missouri. But that’s not what Doyle thought he would pursue for his degrees or career.
Doyle went to college for business but took theater classes for fun and socializing. During the summer, he performed in shows to raise money for a local children’s hospital which he enjoyed by benefiting from performing while helping in a community cause.
While working on his undergraduate degree, Doyle worked for a prestigious printing company. The company offered him a full-time job during school and a job after he graduated, but Doyle wondered if printing and business was something he wanted to do for the rest of his life.
Doyle began to take more theater classes and auditioned for a scholarship where the qualification for receiving the scholarship was to become a theater major. Hoping he could get his business degree in a year without becoming a theater major, Doyle took theater classes to hold the scholarship. That’s when Doyle found himself looking into theater seriously for the first time. One of Doyle’s professors encouraged him and demonstrated the excitement of theater and teaching.
“He just really became a mentor and I quickly thought, ‘Well, I really want to do what you’re doing,'” Doyle said. “That’s where I started to take it seriously.”
Doyle said he thinks both teaching and performing are important as a theater professor.
“I figured I’d do both and I actually still do,” Doyle said. “I think you can only be effective and justified in a classroom if you’re actually doing what you’re trying to train these people to eventually do themselves.”
Doyle teaches beginning and intermediate acting, scene study, stage combat and other courses. Doyle is finishing up his 16th year teaching at Utah State.
Doyle is a member of the Actor’s Equity Association, a labor union that represents American actors and stage managers in the theater. Doyle has had professional experience with Salt Lake City equity companies such as Pioneer Theatre Company, Salt Lake Acting Company and Plan-B Theatre Company. He has also worked at other equity theaters in Kansas City, Mo.
The characters Doyle have portrayed range from troubled individuals, naïve academics and even women. Doyle played Ellen Terry in “Sherlock Holmes and the West End Horror” at the Pioneer Theatre Company. Doyle said he played 12 parts where the woman was one of the roles.
“The neat thing about ‘Sherlock Holmes’ was there were only six of us in the cast so we all had good parts,” Doyle said.
Doyle recently directed Utah State’s musical for the year, “Assassins.” Doyle said he likes contemporary plays and musicals best.
“When I get my hands on something contemporary, I think I get more satisfaction out of those shows,” he said.
Doyle said he plans on continuing to teach and perform and still remembers when he realized the power of the theater.
“I remember the first time it hit me,” Doyle said. “It was suddenly like I was making a discovery and it was something that would be different for me than for other people.”
And with that discovery, Doyle continues to feel the breakthrough when he performs or when watching others perform.
“It’s like cracking this locked box open,” he said. “That’s the best part and that’s what keeps me going.”
–mackenzie.love@aggiemail.usu.edu