About Us
Dramatic License Productions (DLP) is a 501(c)3 non-profit, professional theatre and cabaret production company based in Chesterfield. Founded in April, 2009 by St. Louis veteran actress Kim Furlow and husband Andy Knef to offer additional directing, acting and design opportunities to local artists, DLP operates Dramatic License Theatre, an 85-seat black box theatre at Chesterfield Mall.
Mission
Dramatic License Productions (DLP) is dedicated to vivid story-telling through well known, thought-provoking, classic and contemporary scripts and musical performances, which engage, inspire and inform new and diverse St. Louis audiences.
Founding Principles
- DLP will provide the currently-underserved West St. Louis County audience with affordable, professional and geographically-accessible theatre and musical performances.
- DLP values the St. Louis-based actor, director and designer and will offer equitable opportunities in a professional atmosphere.
- Through our week-long children’s camps and educational outreach (called Lights Up! on Kids (ages 8-12) and Lights Up! on Teens (ages 13-17) DLP will offer children the opportunity to learn all aspects of theatre production including acting; stage management; set, sound and props design; and improvisational skills as they create a play on one week. This comprehensive programming, taught by local theatre professionals, is designed to boost self-esteem, promote personal growth and enhance teamwork and creative listening skills.
- Through educational outreach programs such as Lights Up! on YOU, DLP will offer free on-site theatre workshops to non-profits serving children.
Board of Directors
Beth Bender - Community Coordinator
Kim Furlow – Founder/Executive Producer, Dramatic License Productions
Ron Gibbs - Managing Dir., STAGES, St. Louis
Jill Gubin - Senior Account Executive, St. Louis Magazine
Andy Knef - Communications Lead Coordinator, BJC TODAY, BJC HealthCare; Co-Founder, Dramatic License Productions
Helen Liu – Events and Donor Relations Coordinator, Barnes Jewish Hospital Foundation
David M. Nowak – Dir. of Communications and Marketing, MICDS
Jill Nowak – Dir. of Finance and Administration, American Association of Orthodontists
Daisha Thomas – Community Coordinator
Arlinda Warren – Dir. of Marketing, Communications and Physician Services, Siteman Cancer Center
Staff
Founder/Executive Producer: Kim Furlow
Kim has lived and worked as a professional actress, singer and voice talent in the St. Louis area for more than 25 years. She continues to perform with such local professional companies as Mustard Seed Theatre, HotCity, Stray Dog, New Jewish Theatre, New Line, Muddy Waters and others.
Favorite roles include “Sister Aloysius” in DOUBT, A PARABLE; “Matron Mama Morton” in CHICAGO; “Jane” in THE MOST FABULOUS STORY EVER TOLD; and “Jessie Cates” in ‘NIGHT, MOTHER.
Kim spent nine years working as a morning show news anchor and sidekick on the nationally syndicated “Steve and D.C. Morning Show” and for two years was the news director for KCMQ-KTGR in Columbia, Missouri.
Following 12 years in radio, Kim was an advertising and communications coordinator and a public relations director for various firms in St. Louis. In 2007, Kim launched Dramatic License PR, a public relations enterprise. She has managed public and media relations activities for clients in the telecommunications, entertainment, hospitality, home goods and non-profit arenas.
Kim and her husband, Andy, saw a niche for a professional arts organization in the West St. Louis County area and founded Dramatic License Productions in April, 2009. She assists non-profit organizations in creating theatre arts workshops for children and is on the board of The Women’s Safe House, dedicated to domestic violence prevention and services for women and children.
Kim currently resides in Ballwin with her husband and daughter, is stepmother to five and “mom” to two Chihuahuas.
