IRA KIP - MUSICAL BOOK WRITER, PLAYWRIGHT
SHE/HER/HERS
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IRA KIP (pronounced Era) is based in New York but hails from Amsterdam the Netherlands, with roots based in Suriname, Curacao and Aruba. She has been working in the theater for over a decade as a Director, Writer, Educator and Producer. In the early 80s she was trained as a dancer at The Dance Academy of Lucia Martha’s and studied acting and performing at The New Amsterdam (DNA) Interdisciplinary Theater Academy. In 2001 she studied at The Theater School of Amsterdam in the Drama educators program and completed her studies at the New School for Drama NY, receiving her MFA in Directing.
Together with her twin sister Ayra, she launched the production company; The Pancake Gallery in 2009. The Pancake Gallery is a production company that connects and creates a space for international artist from around the world to share, exchange, create and perform their works and skills. In 2010 Ira & Ayra executive produced the first international educational Arts program Art Rules, which is now based in Aruba and Curacao. Art Rules provides education within the Arts and Culture sectors for local youth between the ages 9-23. Offering intensive workshops and Master classes in 9 different Art disciplines during the summer. Over the years Ira has been an educator and Director in different youth programs and theater conservatories such as the Stella Adler conservatory in New York, Upward Bound in Baltimore, Capitol Hill Arts Workshop in Washington DC, MC Theater in Amsterdam and Process in Manchester UK. In 2011 she wrote her first play She’Baltimore, which investigates domestic violence within the LGBT community. She’Baltimore was performed in Baltimore MD, Washington DC during Pride weekend, New York at the Cell theater and in Amsterdam with 6 sold out shows at MC theater where Ira has been an artist in resident for several years. She’Baltimore brought the LGBTQ community together like never before. Finally there was a voice speaking on an issue that had never been addressed in the theater. The production went on to be recognized by the city of Baltimore with a certificate by its mayor, in addition to earning Ira a Pearl Award in literature and Arts. The production became a social project and several partner we formed with organizations that support victims and families dealing with domestic violence and or LGBTQ+ issues. In 2017 Ira directed and wrote adaptation of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, called Shrew Her, which explores gender identity in the context of the lgbtq community mixed with shakespeare. 
Photo by Brand New Guys
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