MSU Award for Outstanding Service to Education Abroad
Student Testimonials:
I remember going to the National Theatre for the first time, and I will never forget it because it was the first time I felt so utterly accepted.
Courtney Way, BA in Theatre and Human Development and Family Studies (2020)
KKP was one of the best professors I ever had during my time at MSU. I have never met a classier person 😉. I recommend her and the Theatre in London program to anyone and everyone who will listen. I always knew I wanted to study in other countries but was nervous about doing a study abroad. That was until I met KKP. She met with me individually before applying to the program and completely erased my apprehensions. She knew so much about London and knew how to take advantage of every opportunity. I came to her with this crazy idea to not only do all the courses that I signed up for with her but to do a master’s level independent study because I wanted to learn more about drama therapy in the UK. She was so supportive and helped me form a paper and PowerPoint that I took to several conferences after studying abroad.
The just over five weeks that I spent in London were filled beyond the brim with museums, shows, mini trips, tours, masterclasses, and much more. Because of her amazing skills and connections, I got everything out of London that I ever wanted and much more. She made me feel safe and confident even when I had to navigate (sometimes not very successfully) the streets of a new city in a new country. I remember going to the National Theatre for the first time, and I will never forget it because it was the first time I felt so utterly accepted. KKP took the time to contact the National Theatre and reserve a pair of Smart Caption Glasses so that I could understand the show like my fellow classmates. It was the first time that I was provided with something and met with such forethought without having to ask, and that moment still holds a place in my heart. She also took the time to provide me with a script of the show if there weren’t glasses available so that no matter what, I could understand what was happening. She always went above and beyond for me, even if she never had to. Now that I am in grad school, I like to think of her as a mentor and someone I can always reach out to if I need help. To this day, she still answers my endless questions about London and the UK for me.
Karen is an educator who empowers her students and supports their growth wholeheartedly.
Andrew Harvey, MFA in Theatre: Acting (2012)
When I reflect on my time serving as her TA for Theatre in London in the summer of 2011, I’m in awe of the program she put together. Karen shepherded a full liberal arts experience that not only enriches students’ foundational knowledge in theatre, but also introduced students to new career possibilities that exist beyond what is typically taught in Theatre programs through workshops, tours, and general meetings.
The coursework was designed to engage and challenge students while helping them to forge a deeper connection to their crafts, and the slate of performances Karen arranged for students to attend was as mighty as it was diverse. I remember how excited the students were to visit Stratford-upon-Avon and to see the premiere of Cardenio, one of Shakespeare’s long-lost plays, performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company. It was electrifying; the students felt like they had unearthed a special piece of literary history.
Karen is an educator who empowers her students and supports their growth wholeheartedly. She is a wonderful candidate for this award.
Thanks to Professor Karen’s advice, my research, the support of my projection mentor, and the production team of Pride and Prejudice, I was able to create a great Projection Design and could win The Lansing State Journal Thespie Award for Best Media Design in 2016.
Hector Hernando Claros Velasco, mFA in Theatre: Design (2017)
I am Hernando Claros from Colombia South America. Professor Karen advised me to participate in MSU Theatre Study Abroad in London program in fall 2014; she also told me that if I participated in this program, I would have a great opportunity to do an Independent study about Jane Austen, her lifestyle during the Regency era in Great Britain, that inspired Jane Austen to write one of her famous novels Pride and Prejudice.
I was selected to be the Projection Designer for our production of Pride and Prejudice at MSU Theatre in Spring 2016. During my time in the UK, I obtained information from more than 15 sources, including museums, libraries & theatres in 7 cities. Thanks to Professor Karen’s knowledge, she was able to show me the correct area(s) in a particular museum, library, or city to focus on obtaining the most important info to do my research for the five weeks that I was in the UK. I am a Lighting, Scenic & Projection Designer with more than 25 years of experience in Lighting Design, and I can say that thanks to Professor Karen’s advice and support, this research process has been one of the most extensive, complete, and fun that I have carried out in my professional life. Thanks to Professor Karen’s advice, my research, the support of my projection mentor, and the production team of Pride and Prejudice, I was able to create a great Projection Design and could win The Lansing State Journal Thespie Award for Best Media Design in 2016.
Professor Karen also encouraged/supported me to do a presentation of my experience in the Study Abroad in London program during the Learning Abroad Conference Presentations day at the International Center. After my presentation, I received an invitation from the Office of Study Abroad to participate in a “Generation Study Abroad: International Students and Study Abroad” with 4 international students who have studied abroad, to share and highlight our experiences as international students with study abroad programs in MSU to a group of faculty and advisers from The Office of Study Abroad and the Office of Faculty and Organizational Development.
This study abroad experience in London Summer 2015 was my second study abroad experience; my 1st was when I started my MFA studies in August 2013 at MSU Department of Theatre.
KKP easily went above and beyond for all of us during the entirety of our study abroad experience.
Marley Boone, BFA in Theatre: Acting (2015)
My name is Marley Boone, and I did the Department of Theatre travel abroad trip to London in the summer of 2013. Professor Karen Kangas-Preston (affectionally known to the students as KKP) was our trip advisor, leader, guide, and professor extraordinaire. KKP easily went above and beyond for all of us during the entirety of our study abroad experience. It was unbelievably well organized, with the itinerary laid out in advance, and ran smoothly. She was crystal clear on what each day entailed, all the assignments and classes we took, and what our experiences were going to be. If by any chance something wasn’t clear, she had answers for everything and didn’t hesitate to help. The trip was the perfect combination of learning, education, cultural experiences, and fun. I know it’s the cheesiest thing in the world to say, “study abroad was a life changing experience,” but for me, it really was. I look back on that trip constantly and the fond memories I have from it. I know the trip was as memorable as it was because KKP was leading it. She was phenomenal in every sense of the word and made those 5 weeks a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I am forever grateful for her and that study abroad.
Her attention to the whole student – as an academic, as a tourist, as an emotional being (and we certainly were), made the trip into a learning and growth adventure that was incredibly fulfilling.
Meredith Wagner, MFA in Theatre: Design (2019)
Karen Kangas Preston devised and supervised a Study Abroad Summer in London that I look back on as one of the best summers of my life. Her attention to the whole student – as an academic, as a tourist, as an emotional being (and we certainly were), made the trip into a learning and growth adventure that was incredibly fulfilling.
At the root of Karen’s genius is a dedication to the quality and diversity of programming for her students. We studied Iambic Pentameter with a Company Actress from Shakespeare’s Globe, toured the formal gardens of Hampton Court, and saw a truly astonishing amount of live theater – which we dissected every morning after in class, led by Karen’s arched-eyebrow of inquiry.
Throughout the prep, actual programming, and trip wrap up, Karen’s fun yet no-nonsense manner enabled students to explore, maintain some respect for the rules, gain an appreciation for a new country and culture, and learn through doing and seeing. Four years later, I am still grateful that I had the chance to learn and grow through Karen’s excellent work as an educator and planner in London.
KKP organized, secured, and communicated every element of our program to make sure we had the highest quality education experiences available to us while studying abroad.
Sarah Botruff, BFA in Theatre: Stage Management, Minor in Arts & Cultural Management (2015)
I will forever look back on my time in the study abroad program as one of the best experiences of my college education. KKP organized, secured, and communicated every element of our program to make sure we had the highest quality education experiences available to us while studying abroad. Not only did we have access to exceptional professors and speakers during our month in London. KKP also secured intercultural experiences for us almost every night of our stay. Allowing us to experience over 30 productions, multiple backstage tours, and personal connections with influential members of the London theatre community. KKP is one of the best mentors, leaders, and educators I’ve had the privilege of traveling with.
Karen’s passion for educating, combined with her outstanding patience, was a pillar of success for all Study Abroad programs.
Katelyn Wilson, BFA in Theatre: Acting (2017)
During my final year at MSU, I decided to skip out on my final credit to earn my Bachelor’s degree. I made this choice with the help of Karen Kangas-Preston. In preparation for the program, KKP held an informative meeting and spent two hours of her time simply answering questions—any questions. When I posed the question, “Would it be okay to take Theater History again after I take it in the Spring?” She posed the situation, “just don’t take the class, and then you’ll HAVE to study abroad—to finish your degree.” This meant that I would study abroad just a few weeks after walking across the stage at the Breslin in a cap and gown. And thank goodness I did because my retention of Theater History was WILDY impacted by this program. KKP developed a program so diverse and exciting that it had me ready to start my undergrad over because I never wanted to stop learning.
Karen’s passion for educating, combined with her outstanding patience, was a pillar of success for all Study Abroad programs. Theatre in London provided me with endless memories and an impact on my life as a student and as an actor. I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn from her and have traveled overseas to witness her excellence.
Studying in London with KKP laid the groundwork for me to thrive as an actor when I moved to NYC to pursue my career.
Sarah Goeke, MFA in Theatre: Acting (2015)
Studying in London with KKP laid the groundwork for me to thrive as an actor when I moved to NYC to pursue my career.
I went to London with KKP for 5 weeks the summer after my first year in grad school I was at Michigan State University in the theatre department studying acting. At that point, the largest city I had lived in as an adult was Kansas City, MO, and the only productions I had experienced were some regional shows and a very few Broadway tours.
KKP was committed to making sure that while we were in London, on top of the trips we took to surrounding towns and teaching all of the courses, she booked as many shows as possible. We saw 22 shows in 5 weeks. That’s about 4 shows a week. I still remember the first one we saw. It was a new translation of a Gorky play, and it blew my mind. There were three strong female roles, a huge practical fire that made my face hot from the back row, and incredible actors. And afterward, for the first time in my life, I had a huge group of people to discuss the show with. As I saw more and more shows, I began to grow an opinion about theatre. I thought I’d had an opinion before, but since I had only seen probably one show every 3 months or so, of course, I thought all of them were magical and amazing and had a very thirsty palate for any kind of art. I was in no way discerning. Since I wanted to work in the theatre profession, I needed a more refined sense of what I actually liked, not just what was available to see in Missouri. KKP worked hard to make sure that the shows we saw were quality and that we pushed ourselves to see as much as possible while we had the opportunity. I came back to grad school with a much stronger idea of the actor I wanted to be and the work I wanted to be a part of. I still talk about this summer as a defining part of my artistic development.
Also, with a full school schedule, we were expected to get ourselves to the shows on time, with no excuses. This doesn’t seem that difficult, but we were a group of students used to traveling everywhere by car and not having to depend on public transportation. This was my first experience having to get somewhere by train. And, while the tube works much better than the subway, it challenged and prepared me for arriving at shows, auditions, interviews, and eventually to set and rehearsal on time, no matter what. I’m so grateful to KKP for this summer of my life, and I still think about the productions we saw while we were there. This was one small piece of the culture-packed summer KKP prepared for us, but the shows she chose and arranged for us were by far the most influential and paramount to my career as a performer.
I had never left the country before, and Karen made sure we all knew what to expect and learn how to handle situations we’d experience that we couldn’t predict.
Heather Brown, MFA in Theatre: Design (2018)
Karen was an amazing mentor and gave us tons of preparation before traveling. I had never left the country before, and Karen made sure we all knew what to expect and learn how to handle situations we’d experience that we couldn’t predict. I loved how she kept most days packed with activities when we weren’t in class. If we weren’t in class, we were out visiting museums or other notable locations, watching productions, or having additional masterclasses. We didn’t have many days off, but we experienced so much in our 5 weeks. Her advice abroad helped me later on in my career as well. She recommended that when visiting notable locations, that even if we don’t have any assignments due related to wherever we were visiting, that the historical value of the on-site locations in London may prove as invaluable research for future designs. So if we see interesting things, we could make sketches, take photos, or even notes. While on this trip, I took over 30,000 photographs (overkill, I know), not knowing if they would come in handy. I’ve had the privilege of using a few dozen as research images and short videos I took while in London in my career since the trip, not knowing if or when I’d even use them. Including one production I was working on during the trip that wasn’t going to happen until the following semester, and I was able to pull some research for the production of The Misanthrope for my scenic design. They inspired some creative concepts and inspirational images for both sound and lighting designs for over 6 different productions after obtaining my MFA, and it’s only been 3 years since. I imagine I will be using more in the future.