Faculty Profiles

Colleges and Departments

KLV Vaeni

  • Associate Professor - School of Theatre, Dance, & Film
Portrait of KLV Vaeni

Education

Master's Degree

MFA in Directing

Yale University, 2004

Bachelor's Degree

BFA in Theatre Arts

Hofstra University, 1992

  • Vaeni, Kara-Lynn. Physical Theatre, Meadows Summer Research Fellowship, Southern Methodist University, Institutional (Higher Ed), $10000. (Funded: December 2021). Grant.
  • Vaeni, Kara-Lynn. Ath(literature); Equitable, Accessible Physical Theatre, University Research Council, Southern Methodist University, Institutional (Higher Ed), $15000. (Funded: August 2021). Grant.
  • Vaeni, Kara-Lynn (Co-Principal), Percent Contribution: %50, Herrington, Yesenia Yadira (Co-Principal), Percent Contribution: %50. Get in SHAPE: Centering Safety and Consent in Immersive Performance, Research Enhancement Program, Division of Research, TXST, Texas State University, $24000. Grant.
  • Vaeni, Kara-Lynn (Co-Principal), O'Gara, Bevin (Co-Principal). Arts Project Grant for World Premiere of SHAPE, a new play written/directed by Kara-Lynn Vaeni, National Endowment for the Arts, Federal, $10000. (Funded: January 2020 - June 2021). Grant.
  • Vaeni, Kara-Lynn (Principal). Professional Enhancement, Athena at Undermain Theatre, School of Theatre, Dance and Film, Texas State University, $300. (Funded: September 27, 2024). Grant.
View all grants
  • Director, Devisor, Co-writer, The Happiness Gym. August 2025 - April 19, 2026.
    Performances:
    • 38th Season. March 29, 2026 - April 19, 2026 The Vortex Theatre, Austin, TX.
    • (Peer) Reviewed by: Laura Lane.
  • Bue Pearl Residency, Na'alehu, Hawaiʻi. Director/Devisor/Writer. March 12, 2026 - March 22, 2026.
  • Intimacy Coordinator and Script Supervisor, Auteur by Christina Pumariega, Puma Libre Productions. November 1, 2025 - December 22, 2025.
  • Director/choreographer, The Persians. February 2024 - May 2024.
    Performances:
    • May 2, 2024 - May 26, 2024 Undermain Theatre, Dallas, TX.
    • (Invited) Reviewed by: Rich Lopez.
    • (Invited) Reviewed by: Christopher Sodden.
  • Director, POTUS: or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive, Regional Premiere. January 2024 - March 7, 2024.
    Performances:
    • Theatre Production. March 7, 2024 - March 30, 2024 Stage West, Fort Worth, TX.
    • (Peer) Reviewed by: Manuel Mendoza.
    • Reviewed by: Sam Lisman.
    • (Curated) Reviewed by: Jan Farrington.
View all scholarly/creative works
  • Award / Honor Nominee: 2025 Zelda Fichandler Award, Society of Directors and Choreographers Foundation. December 2025
  • Award / Honor Nominee: Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching, Texas State University Faculty Awards Program. November 2025 - Present
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Best Theatre Director, The Dallas Observer. September 24, 2020
  • Award / Honor Recipient: The Kilroys List, The Kilroys. July 7, 2020
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Top Ten Dallas Theatre Productions; #9, Noises Off, directed by Kara-Lynn Vaeni, Dallas Voice. December 30, 2019
View all awards
  1. Undergraduate Advisor

    BFA P&P Directing Track Coordinator

  2. Reviewer / Referee

    The School of Design and Production at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts

  3. Member

    Personnel Committee

  4. Member

    Theatrical Intimacy Committee, School of Theatre, Dance and Film

  5. Member

    Season Selection Committee

  6. Member

    COFAC Presidential Excellence in Creative/Scholarly Award Committee

  7. View all activities