“Keni combines a total artistic vision with a precise and uncompromising attention to detail. He loves seeing, teaching and creating live theater and his love animates his shows in every moment of rehearsal and performance. Keni is a natural-born teacher, an unquenchable font of energy, and a true theater artist. Keni believes that creating great theater brings positive energy into the world and that his role in life is to do just that. I have known him to create and record music and sound effects second to none; to hunt down costumes and props that brilliantly, almost magically, fulfill his vision, and to do whatever it takes to make his shows great.”
-Don Flemming
Former Summer Season Director – Seattle Children’s Theater
“Keni is a truly unique and gifted teacher. He is one of those rare teachers who is comfortable with and connects with students from ages 3-1/2 to 19 years old. Keni is extremely skilled at creating a rich, multi-layered experience for our students. He has an incredible ability to bring out the individual best in each and every student he has taught at Seattle Children’s Theater.”
-Karen Sharp
Former Education Director – Seattle Children’s Theater
“Keni is a master at this type of arts integration. Through his decades of work as a theatre teaching artist, performer and social justice advocate, he has developed skills to not only produce important pieces of theatre, but to equip others to find their voice and speak for the greater good. Keni is a generous collaborator who listens and assesses each new environment and set of students, and skillfully leads them from where they are to places that they did not realize they could go. He is a powerful charismatic force that inspires students to do their best. He is a devil’s advocate that isn’t afraid to ask the hard questions that challenge the status quo. His belief in the ability of the arts to change the world for the better inspires young people to find their voices for social change. Those who have been lucky enough to work with Keni have been changed for the better.”
-Jeanne Fhaliff
Drama Teacher – Kenmore Middle School
“Each year Keni and Esther would not only write, direct, and perform but also design and build their own sets, costumes, and props. The shows were wonderfully imaginative and featured content that was sensitive to the audiences and conveyed positive values. Utilizing the popular theater forms of mime, clowning, juggling, magic, masks, puppets and music they captured the hearts of many children and adults.. As performers, their lively and spontaneous interaction with the audience was a special treat. These holidays quickly became a Santa Fe tradition.”
-ELLEN FELDMAN
Co-Director – Santa Fe Children’s Museum
“His hard work and innovative work was recognized by the public. His original theater pieces with the youth and earned them local recognition three years in a row as being one of ten best theater shows according to Pasatiempo, the entertainment, arts and culture magazine of our local New Mexican newspaper. Keni’s inspiration was transferred to the teen actors as he was able to help them realize their potential in the performing arts. His dramatic and street theater experiences brought on new youth perspectives which stimulated their curiosity and helped them become true committed emerging artists in theater. He also was capable of increasing awareness on social impact issues which made his audiences feel overwhelmed with the energy on stage. This type of audience development was impressive as they were amazed at the talent that was cultivated through intense dialogue, movement, dance, mime, story telling, poetry and acting.”
-ANNA GALLEGOS Y REINHARDT
Executive Director – Warehouse 21 (Santa Fe)
“Keni has ideas, energy, and a fun-loving attitude. I have seldom worked with an artist that has such respect from the students and for the students. He is someone any organization would benefit from”
-RICK LEMBERG
4-5th Grade Teacher and Collaborator for 11 years – Decatur Elementary
“Keni is one of the best directors I’ve ever worked with throughout my years as an actor. His charisma, enthusiasm and directorial insights make all of his shows amazing and a joy to be part of. He is also a fantastic teacher who taught me the ways of acting and how much fun it can be. Without him, I never would have gotten as far in acting as I have today.”
-IAN
Student and Actor