Kristen Leigh Oliver is an actor, musician, dancer, educator, and fight/intimacy professional. She holds a BFA in musical theatre and a minor in dance from Jacksonville University, where she studied voice with Dr. Jay Ivey. Kristen has experience in a variety of dane styles, including ballet, hip-hop, jazz, fosse, vogue, and tap, and has worked with choreographers Cooper and Morgan at Jacksonville Center of the Arts, and Scott Jones at Scott Jones School of Dance, among others. Some of her favorite performances include Clara in Light in The Piazza, Vivienne in Legally Blonde, Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, and Ally in String.
In addition to her career on the stage, Kristen is a fight/intimacy professional. She is an SAFD Actor Combatant, with certifications in Rapier & Dagger, Unarmed, and Broadsword, and contact hours in Knife, Quarterstaff, Small Sword, Single Sword, and Sword & Shield. Kristen has trained and worked with the industry's best at a host of SAFD-sanctioned regional workshops. Additionally, her training includes 70+ hours of learning with TIE and IDC, in combination with her experience working in the field.
When not on set or in the rehearsal room, Kristen feeds her passion for education by teaching regularly with Synchronicity Theatre (Playmaking) and Aurora Theatre (Improv & Stage Combat).
With her free time, Kristen dotes on her cat, Mr. Squeakers, and her plants, of whom she has too many to name.
In all she does both on and off the stage, Kristen strives to be brave through vulnerability and inspire others to do the same.
