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ACT Out East was founded and is directed by

Kim Galway, LCAT, RDT-BCT is a registered drama therapist, theatre educator, and licensed creative arts therapist with over 15 years of experience. She is committted to developing children's strengths and potential through creativity. She has taught creative drama, acting, and scene study to children and teens and maintains a private practice in drama therapy. Kim holds a BFA in Acting from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts where she studied technique through the Lee Strasberg Institute and NYU's Experimental Theatre Wing.  She has acted off-Broadway, and in film and television. Kim also holds an MA in drama therapy from NYU, and was the director of  Goddard Riverside Community Center's outpatient psychiatric rehabilitation program from 1997-2002. She taught drama therapy and developmental psychology at the New School University and has lectured at conferences and schools across the country. She is the former Chair of the New York Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies, and a published author of several articles and chapters. Her most recent chapter on drama therapy for children with high functioning autism, PDD-NOS and Asperger's was released in October 2009, in the book The Creative Therapies and Autism (Charles C.Thomas). Kim is also the mother of three young children.


Kristen Poulakis specializes in voice. Kristen is a long-time member of the theatre arts community and teaches private vocal lessons with many students being Broadway bound.  Kristen's education began early with voice lessons at the age of 8 and dance at the age of 3. Kristen's first break was in high school as scholarship recipient at the New England Conservatory Preparatory Program to begin a college education. Upon high school graduation Kristen was accepted into The Boston Conservatory where she studied Vocal Performance. After attending the conservatories, Kristen studied Vocal Perfomance and Music Therapy at Berklee College of Music. Kristen completed her well rounded music education and training at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. Kristen's teaching philosophy is, "there is always time to learn through having fun in the process."  Also a mother, she understands the importance of nurturing children's development. She believes the arts are so important in ones personal life development that it should never be compromised by stress or competition. Kristen feels honored to be a part of our community here on Long Island as a children's musical theatre director and instructor. 



STAFF MEMBER Darby Moore, RDT-BCT, LCAT, specializes in acting.  She is a registered drama therapist and licensed creative arts therapist with expertise in adolescent issues. For the past 20 years, Darby has worked in NYC public schools and in the child and adolescent psychiatry department at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital. Among other things, she has organized and directed over 200 high school students in a single production. She is currently a consultant for the Partnership for After School Education, where she specializes in ethics and the emotional needs of youth. She has also consulted for NYU's Creative Arts Team on violence prevention in the schools. She holds a BA in theatre from Vassar College, and an MA in drama therapy from NYU.  She is the former Adjunct Clinical Professor and Internship Coordinator for NYU's Graduate Program in Drama Therapy. She has lectured at educational and therapeutic conferences thoughout the country and has brought drama therapy to Bosnia. 


STAFF MEMBER Alison Jannette specializes in jazz and tap.  Bio coming soon!