Theatre Faculty & Staff

Kris Dietrich, MFA

Director of Theatre

Kris Dietrich received his theatre training at the University of Missouri at Kansas City under the instruction of John Ezell. During his time there, he had the opportunity to interact with and work alongside some of the best theatre professionals in the industry. Their influence and teaching fostered an environment where Kris could not only grow in his craft, but develop into a theatre professional who values hard work, supreme effort, and constructive collaboration.

He enjoys all aspects of design and is fortunate to have worked in theatre for the past 20 years. During that time he has been a part of over 90 productions, many of which he was a principal designer for one or more aspects of the production. He enjoys finding visual solutions in a quest to tell great stories worthy of an audience. He also enjoys teaching and mentoring his students, always working to build them up into the type of artists that he would want to collaborate with as a colleague.

Carol Anderson, MFA

Theatre Lecturer
(859) 858-3511, x2207

Professor Anderson has an MFA in Acting from UNC-Chapel Hill and a BA in Biblical Studies and American Studies from Barrington College. Carol teaches acting and directing courses. She has also directed several plays for Asbury’s Theatre Department, as well as the sold-out show “Crowned with Glory and Honour” that Asbury students performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (2019).  Prior to Asbury, Carol taught at Montreat College as  Associate Professor of Theatre.  Carol is also a professional actress and in her other life performs nationally with husband Jim Shores as Acts of Renewal.

She has spoken and performed at over 60 of the CCCU schools across the country as well as at Harvard.  Her one-woman show on eating disorders was aired on PBS.  Their work combining professional theatre and speaking has given them ministry opportunities to present across the US, UK and Israel.  As Acts of Renewal, Carol has been able to to offer Asbury students professional theatre/ministry opportunities; such as directing  the show that gave 6 students the opportunity to perform with them on a Familylife marriage cruise performing for the audience of 2500.  Asbury students  also performed with Carol in Nancy DeMoss’ Revive Our Hearts women’s conferences, where their performances live streamed to over 400,000 globally.  Investing in the next generation of artists is one of Carol’s highest priorities. She’s excited about new opportunities both in the classroom and out as we’ve been asked to bring Asbury students back to the 2021 Edinburgh Festival and are in the midst of creating theatre projects. 

Catherine Gaffney, MFA

Adjunct Instructor
(859) 858-3511, x2207

Professor Gaffney is delighted to be an adjunct professor at Asbury University. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Catherine holds a BA in Theatre (San Francisco State University) and an MFA in Acting and Directing (Regent University). A professional stage actress for over 30 years, some of her favorite roles include Beau Jest (Sarah) at Taproot Theatre, Our Town (Mrs. Gibbs) and The Lady With All The Answers (Ann Landers/Eppie Lederer) at Cortland Repertory Theatre, The Importance of Being Earnest (Miss Prism) with AthensWest and most recently Holes (The Warden) at Lexington Children’s Theatre. In addition to her stage work, she is also a voice over talent and film actress (Can I Get A Witness Protection? now on Amazon Prime). Her favorite role is wife to writer & professor Sean. Catherine is a member of Christians in Theatre Arts, Southeastern Theatre Conference and the Kentucky Theatre Association. She is also an Equity Membership Candidate and a former member of SAG-AFTRA.