Check Out Andrew Grayman-Parkhurst’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Grayman-Parkhurst.

Andrew, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Originally from Kansas City, I started performing at age 9 and quickly knew that the performing arts would play an important part in my future. A senior in high school, I auditioned for and was chosen by Alvin Ailey to dance his “Memoria” on what became his final visit to KC in 1988. At college, I studied modern dance and theatre and moved to NYC after I graduated.

Some of my performance career highlights were working for almost 5 years as Dance Captain and Swing on the Broadway national tour (USA, Canada, Mexico) of “Mammia Mia!”, performing onstage at Radio City Music Hall on The Tony Awards, and spending a year in Vienna onstage in the mega-musical “Tanz der Vampire.”

My husband, Michael, and I met in Milan Italy on the 40th anniversary European tour of “West Side Story,” We became a couple on the “Mamma Mia!” tour, 19 years ago. After returning to NYC and exploring interim careers in directing and choreography, Michael and I followed a calling to return to my hometown, KC, and create a nonprofit theatre company. Spinning Tree Theatre was founded in 2011 and serves KC area youth with disabilities and without disabilities by providing inclusive, professional-level theatrical experiences.

Currently, I’m a student in Wichita State University’s Arts Leadership and Management master’s program, working toward the growth of Spinning Tree Theatre. (Michael and I are extremely proud parents to Sammy, who turns 5 this month!).

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As a performer, 90%+ rejection is no joke! I think it was good practice for managing a nonprofit arts organization and learning how to persevere in the ups and downs of fundraising… not to mention a global pandemic.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Spinning Tree Theatre is known for programming challenging, meaningful material and keeping a spotlight on the talent onstage and on the page. In working with youth, we aim to facilitate an environment that is at once nurturing and professional. We’re known for carrying high standards while encouraging everyone in the room to collaborate.

Spinning Tree’s reimagining into a year-round youth-serving organization is absolutely something of which I’m proud, as are the professional artists we employ to direct and design AND the families and young artists we serve.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
The book, The Practice of Adaptive Leadership: Tools and Tactics for Changing Your Organization and the World by Heifetz, Grashow, and Linsky have been life-changing.

Xavier Dagba’s Inner Alchemy Circle is instrumental in my spiritual development, which of course affects my work as a leader and collaborator.

Contact Info:

• Email: info@spinningtreetheatre.com
• Website: www.spinningtreetheatre.com
• Instagram: @SpinningTreeKC
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spinningtreekc
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpinningTreeKC
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4gi_sC7t3zkugfQ3KM1Ung

Image Credits
Julie Denesha and Spinning Tree Theatre