Kendra Vanderbeek

By Lorraine Lieswald,
Atkinson Graphic reporter

Kendra Vanderbeek was born with theater running through her veins. It was her life. It was her passion. She knew it was her calling and she worked hard to make it so. 
In her growing into a teenager years, Vanderbeek was a cast member in the Atkinson Children's Theater (ACT). When theater regulations deemed her too old for on stage acting she could be found behind the scenes volunteering her services by helping with costumes, sound, staging - anywhere needed. 
Through it all the young actress was soaking up information needed to stage a play. Little did she know the ACT board was taking note and would single her out when she was still in college at Wayne State to be the ACT director.
“In my second year of college they asked me to be their director and without hesitation I said, 'absolutely’.” 
That was seven years ago.

GET YOUR COPY OF THE AUGUST 6, 2020 ISSUE OF THE ATKINSON GRAPHIC TO READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE!