Starting Aug. 14, Southwest’s theatre department welcomed Mr. Austyn McKee as the new director after the retirement of former director Mr. Bob Henrichs.
Born in North Dakota, McKee moved to Lincoln during middle school, where he later attended North Star High School (LNS) and became involved in theatre and speech. McKee attended Southeast Community College to earn an associate’s degree in business administration and attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for a degree in language arts. He is currently working on a master’s degree in literacy through the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
McKee got his start in theatre in second grade when his parents signed him up for a play. He continued to be involved in theatre all the way through eighth grade and participated in many shows at the Lincoln Community Playhouse. By the time McKee attended LNS and was introduced to his high school theatre program, he was already hooked on the hobby.
“My eighth grade year we toured North Star, where I met the theatre director and was pulled into the office. They (theatre department) were so excited,” McKee said. “The rest was history.”
After working with the participants in the Southwest theatre department for a short time, McKee is looking forward to his time at Southwest. One of his major goals for this year is to see his students come together as a team to grow as people and actors.
“I have been just blown away by the effort and passion of the students,” McKee said. “I just want to see continual growth from everybody.”
Theatre students are excited to work with McKee this year, finding him willing to listen.
“What I like about working with him (McKee) is that he’s really open to feedback,” theatre vice president senior Eden Wilder said. “He will listen to you, and you can go to him for other things besides just theatre.”
A self-described Beyonce and Dr. Pepper lover, McKee is already starting to see growth in his students.
“As a team and as a family, we’re coming together and we’re growing,” McKee said. “I’m excited to really feel at home with myself and in the place that I teach.”
