Kaiya Kirk
28 | Executive Director, Bennington Theater
Residence: Bennington
Career highlight: One of the career highlights I’m most proud of is growing with Bennington Theater from Production Manager to Executive Director and helping guide the organization into its next chapter. Since joining the theater in 2022, I’ve worked to expand our programming, strengthen our community relationships, and make live performance more accessible to audiences throughout Southern Vermont. Bringing the Vermont Film & Folklore Festival to Bennington is another milestone I’m particularly proud of, creating new opportunities for filmmakers, artists, and audiences to connect while bringing a longstanding cultural event into a new community. I’m proudest of the opportunity to build something lasting: an arts organization that serves its community, creates meaningful experiences, and contributes to the cultural vitality of our region.
Community involvement: I believe strong communities are built through showing up, contributing, and creating opportunities for people to connect. In addition to my work at Bennington Theater, I have served on the board of Shires Young Professionals and volunteered with organizations including Garlic Town, Better Bennington Corporation, the Southern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, NBOSS, and ArtsFest. I also volunteer with the Francis of Assisi Society for Animals, fostering cats in need of homes. These experiences have allowed me to support local events, strengthen community connections, and contribute to the organizations that make Bennington and the surrounding region a vibrant place to live and work.
Through my leadership at Bennington Theater, I’m especially committed to expanding access to the arts. I’ve helped make our facilities more accessible to local nonprofits through reduced-cost space rentals, managed a free New Works Series for playwrights and audiences, and collaborated with community organizations on programming, fundraising, and partnerships.
Motivation for living and working in Vermont: College brought me to Vermont, and COVID ultimately made me stay. Rather than returning to Los Angeles or moving to New York City, I chose to build a life here because I deeply value the opportunity to be part of a tight-knit community where relationships matter and individuals can make a meaningful difference. Vermont is one of the rare places where being part of the fabric of a community is genuinely valued.
Favorite part of your job: My favorite part of my job is connecting with an audience after a show! I love watching people come back down to earth after experiencing live performance.
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know: I’m obsessed with embroidery… It was a childhood activity with my grandmother and now it helps me cut back on scrolling while making cute home decor.
Favorite Vermont escape: My favorite Vermont escape is driving up Route 7, it’s too easy to take for granted the natural landscape when you live and work downtown. As often as I can I like to remind myself why I am particularly grateful not to live in LA (no traffic and gorgeous views from the “highway”).
Favorite smell: My favorite smell is, very specifically, tomato leaf. I hoarde candles when they are popular in the summertime so I never have to live without it.