KRISTOPHER WILLIAM MCDOWELL

Houston, TX 312-***-**** ad15of@r.postjobfree.com linkedin.com/in/kristopher ACCOMPLISHED MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT LEADER

Accomplished Arts & Entertainment industry leader with a proven record of success planning and leading touring productions th at have included the West Australian Ballet, Kyiv City Ballet, Charlotte Ballet, The Dancing Wheels Company, and Beijing Dance Theater.

Adept in working with C-level executives to ensure the success of media and entertainment businesses across television, digital video, and streaming video. Eager to lead advertising measurement to drive strategic planning and revenue growth.

Produced over 1,200 performances in North America and toured major companies between 17 countries in the Americas, Asia and the Middle East.

Unwavering commitment to promoting social justice via the performing arts. Led strategic planning and tours for two of America’s premier contemporary Black Dance companies, the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble (via KMP) and PHILDADANCO! Dance Company (via Rhizome).

Holds an unwavering commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity in the Arts, building long-term financial stability, and cultivating positive workplace cultures.

Offers a skill set that includes marketing, talent acquisition, event production, and project management. Skilled in leading fundraising and grant writing to finance projects and events. Additional experience includes managing the operations of a multi- venue campus and facility.

Offers a proven history of delivering results in the Fine Arts, Performing Arts, and execution of special events. Career his tory spans hands-on experience as a performing artist as well as leadership roles as a producer and manager. Serves as a consultant and advisor to Arts & Entertainment clients on venue and event management, marketing, fundraising, grants, and artistic ventures, including the MUMMENSCHANZ Foundation in Switzerland.

Experienced in growing and developing top teams, building the skill sets necessary to deliver results under all circumstances . Credited with building strong relationships, recognizing individual strengths, and continually improving capabilities to meet the demands of highly competitive markets.

Maintains a reputation as a sought-after speaker for conferences and festivals around the globe. Provides guidance on digital and hybrid retreats and conferences.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Executive Leadership Strategic Planning/Execution Arts & Entertainment Industry

Revenue Growth

Fundraising

Grant Writing

Event Production

Government Relations

Creative Projects

Marketing

Team Leadership

Live Events

SELECTED CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS

Founded a consulting firm, advising clients in the Arts & Entertainment industry on optimal strategies for venue and event management, marketing, fundraising, grants, as well as artistic projects.

Served as a Producer for Doja Cat’s 2021 appearance at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami, Florida. Served as a promoter for Beyonce in the Philippines in 2007.

With the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, evolved an unfunded program from $0 to nearly $180,000 in 12 months .

Produced RUTHLESS! The Musical and The Golden Age of Broadway – A Film by Rick McKay.

Launched the Central California Cabaret Series, a nonprofit organization that presented music headliners at cultural and historic venues in Central California and San Francisco. Recruited a Board of Directors and presented five seasons of cabaret and musical revue entertainment celebrating the Great American Songbook and its composers.

As a Playwright, wrote two one-act plays.

Writer of comedic and special material for celebrities and fundraising galas.

History of providing career mentorship, mediation and wellness for artists and arts professionals. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

RHIZOME CONSULTING, Tacoma, WA (2019 to Present)

Founding Partner

Pioneered the launch and continued managing of this consulting firm, advising clients in the Arts & Entertainment industry on optimal strategies for venue and event management, marketing, fundraising, grants, as well as artistic projects.

Supports and strengthens the Arts by working with state agencies in the United States and their counterparts in Asia to build educational and match-making programs.

Produced a 15-city tour in the United States for the Kyiv City Ballet.

Works with the West Australian Ballet, the country’s first ballet company, coordinating touring and fundraising in Asia and the Americas for the 2024-2025 season.

Contracted to tour the Charlotte Ballet in Canada in October 2023. KMP ARTISTS, Houston, TX (2004 to Present)

Founder and Strategic Consultant

Established a tour management and production company for live cultural arts spanning dance, theatre, family and music programs, as well as visual arts exhibits. Writes grants and leads marketing and fundraising to secure support for domestic and internati onal projects. Oversees offices in the United States and Asia, supervising six agent managers and two administrative staff members. Launched the company by touring a concert evening by the late Carol Channing.

Served in a variety of executive leadership roles, including CEO until 2017 and as Creative Producer for Special Projects since 2019.

Orchestrated and executed touring productions showcasing the work of the Pacific Rim, as well as North America, Middle East and North Africa. Produced over 1,200 performances in North America and toured major companies between 17 countries in the Americas, Asia and the Middle East.

Over a period of eight years, expanded the roster of talent by 800%, from five artists to 40.

Coordinated and led international tours, marketing, and fundraising for clients that included The MUMMENSCHANZ Foundation; West Australian Ballet; Charlotte Ballet; International Association of Blacks in Dance; Cleo Parker Robinson Dance; The Dancing Wheels Company; Chicago Children’s Theatre; and Beijing Dance Theater.

Worked with Molly Ringwald on the development and release of her debut solo album and concert tour.

Managed Mariah Carey’s tour in China in 2014.

Led tours for the late Supreme Mary Wilson as well as Carol Channing.

Served as a Producer for Doja Cat’s 2021 appearance at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami, Florida.

Served as a promoter for Beyonce in the Philippines in 2007.

Served as the Creative Producer for high profile events for Disneyland’s California Adventure; Disney Shanghai; New South Wales, Australia; Princess Cruises; Cunard Cruise Lines; SinoCap Holdings; Shanghai International Expo 2017 and 2018; and the Bonifacio Global City Arts District.

ILLAWARRA PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE, New South Wales, Australia (2017 to 2018) Strategic & Commercial Consultant

Advised the venue on strategies to build new audiences through the development of innovative and compelling programming. Served as the architect of a commercial season of events held at the Music Lounge and the Main Auditorium at the Town Hall. Introduced new event standards to govern crew members and staff working commercial events.

Outstanding results, navigating an unfunded program from $0 to nearly $180,000 in 12 months. Captured an average annual revenue increase of 25%.

AMERICAN MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC ACADEMY, Los Angeles, CA (2010 to 2015) Faculty Member (Part Time)

Developed and facilitated courses that included Arts Management and Cabaret, serving as a mentor to students and directing student productions. Served on audition and adjudication panels. Early Career

Producer, RUTHLESS! The Musical, San Francisco, CA (2003) Producer, The Golden Age of Broadway - A Film by Rick McKay (2002) Founder and Producing Artistic Director, Central California Cabaret Series, Merced, CA Development and Fundraising Roles in Arts and Choral Organizations in California Performer, Gilbert & Sullivan US National Tour

Assistant Company Manager, Dein Perry’s TAP DOGS and STOMP, Richard Frankel Productions, New York City, NY Recorded solo debut album and toured internationally Roles in two Off-Broadway productions, New York City Theater Director, Performing Arts Camp, New York, NY EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

EMPIRE STATE COLLEGE

Associate of Arts Degree in Arts Administration

AMERICAN MUSICAL & DRAMATIC ACADEMY

Integrated Musical Theatre Training Program

FORDHAM UNIVERSITY

Coursework in Theatrical Management & Playwriting

Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (ERYT)

U.S. National LGBT Chamber of Commerce Business Certification PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Friars Club

Association of Performing Arts Presenters

International Society for the Performing Arts

International Blacks in Dance

Western Arts Alliance

UNESCO World Dance

Dance/USA

BOARD ROLES

Current

Membership Committee Member, International Society for the Performing Arts, New York, NY Past

(2015 to 2019): Council Chair and Board of Trustees Member, Dance/USA, Washington DC

(2020): Force Majeure & Ethical Cancellation Working Group Member, Association of Performing Arts Professionals

(2018 to 2019): Conference Programming Committee Member, Association of Performing Arts Professionals AWARDS, HONORS & RECOGNITION

Outstanding Faculty, American Musical and Dramatic Academy 2012 & 2013 Outstanding Cultural Leadership, Fresno PRIDE, California 2007 San Francisco Dean Goodman Award for Best Actor in a Musical 2006 Outstanding Male Cabaret Debut, New York City 2001 SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS AND WORKSHOPS

Speaker – International Connectivity, International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference, 2023

Speaker – Cross Industry Innovations, Dance/USA National Conference, 2021

Host, Introduction to Anti-Racism for White Folks for North Carolina Presenters Consortium’s Annual Meeting, June 2020

Speaker for the International Association of Blacks in Dance annual conference in Philadelphia, PA, January 2020

Keynote Speaker for Dance/USA Dance Forum “Setting the Stage” at APAP, January 2020

Dance Presenting & Representation: What Works at APAP, January 2020 (Session Lead/Co-Moderator)

Why Dance? A Discussion in Durham at Arts Market North Carolina, November 2019 (Session Lead/Co-Moderator)

Dance Forum Arts Midwest in Minneapolis, Minnesota, September 2019 (Host/Moderator)

Partnerships & Community: Education and the Performing Arts, Asia Pacific Arts Leaders summit in Manila, Philippines, September 2019

It Takes 3 to Make Things Go Right: Agent, Artist & Presenter, Dance/USA annual conference in Cleveland, Ohio, June 2019

Touring Concert Programs from China to the World, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, March 2019

Venue Management, Private Performing Arts Group of Shanghai, March 2019

Presenting Dance: The Why & How? Association of Performing Arts Professionals, January 2019

Relationship Development with Presenters and Representatives, Ailey Dance Center NYC, January 2019

U.S. Market for Chinese Shows, China Association of Performing Arts, Beijing September 2018

Collaboration for Foreign Markets, Shanghai Private Performing Arts Fair, April 2018

Preparing for the International Arts Market, Shanghai Performing Arts Fair 2017, China October 2017

Arts & Activism in Southeast Asia, Borak Arts Series, Malaysia October 2017

Being Bold: “A Look at Censorship of the Past, Present, Future” Panelist at Dance/USA conference in Kansas City, June 2017

Cultural Exchange: USA & CHINA - Keynote Speaker, China Private Performing Arts Conference Shanghai, April 2017

Speaker for Dance/USA Dance Forum “Setting the Stage” Authentic Dance & Community Impact, APAP NYC, January 2017

Speaker for International Blacks in Dance Conference “Career Transitions for Dancers” and “Service Connected Dance”, IABD, Dallas, January 2017

Panelist for Australia Arts Council’s Asia Link Summit Subject: Collaborating with Southeast Asia, September 2016

Speaker for Dance Forum West “Setting the Stage” Subject: Marketing Strategy & Growing Audiences for Contemporary Dance at the Western Arts Alliance conference in Los Angeles, August 2016

Speaker for the 1st Shanghai Contemporary Dance Festival Subject: “Contemporary VS. Modern Dance”, July 2016

Speaker for ARTERI Pop-Up Classes 15 - 17 April 2016 Petronas Gallery, KLCC Subject: “Preparing to Tour Internationally”; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; April 2016

Speaker for CAPA Conference, “What Do You Need To Prepare to Tour Internationally?”; Liuzhou, China; April 2016

Panelist on International Arts Market & Touring Sustainability for Artists from ASEAN Countries for Tini Tinou International Circus Festival 10th Edition, 2016; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; April 2016

Speaker for Dance/USA Dance Forum “Setting the Stage” Subject: Perceptions of American Dance, APAP, NYC, January 2016

Panelist for Shanghai Training Program for Arts Groups Subject: “What Do American Presenters Want?”, Shanghai, China; October 2016

Speaker for “The Producers View: Curation for International Work” Subject: Emerging Artists from Southeast Asia, Performing Arts Market Seoul, South Korea; October 2015

“Curating Contemporary Work Rooted in Tradition”, Panel Participant, Georgetown Festival & Borak Arts Series, Penang, Malaysi a; August 2015

“Touring Projects from China to the United States”, CAPA Conference, Enshi, China; April 2015

“Curating for Audiences with Disabilities, Accessible Arts and Culture”, Panel Participant; Tampere, Finland; March 2015

“Relationship Between Producers & Venues”, Training Program for Senior Promoters & Agents; Shanghai, China; July 2014

“Looking to China and Her Neighbors: Engaging in Cultural Exchange” California Presenters Annual Meeting; San Diego, California; May 2014

“The Role of an International Agent”, Training Program for Senior Agents in Mainland China; Shanghai, China; April 2014

“Touring in the United States”, The 1st Shanghai Private-Owned Performing Arts Projects Fair; Shanghai, China; April 2014

“Festivals Workshop”, Philippine Educational Theater Association, Manila, Philippines; April 2014

“International Agent Workshop”, Philippine Educational Theater Association, Manila, Philippines; April 2014

Panel Participant on Trends in Social Media and Performing Arts Marketing, National Arts Marketing Project Conference (a p rogram of Americans for the Arts); Houston, TX; 2008

“Community and Corporate Donor Engagement to Arts Education in Central California”; Rotary Club, San Francisco, California; 2 003

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