Leadership & Teaching

Khanisha Foster is an award-winning and visionary artistic and educational leader with 20+ years of experience. She has the unique skill of recognizing and nurturing what is most alive in plays, organizations, and people.

Executive Leadership

  • Artistic Director, Columbia College Chicago School of Theatre and Dance, 2026—Present

  • Director of Equity, Belonging, and Engagement, Center Theatre Group, 2023—2026

  • Board Committee Leader, Center Theatre Group, 2023—Present

  • Associate Producer & Director, Ojai Playwrights Conference,
    2021—2024

  • Associate Artistic Director, 2nd Story, 2006—2018

  • Board Member, Stephens College MFA in TV and Screenwriting, 2013—2020

Academic Appointments

  • Artistic Director and Full-Time Faculty in Acting and Directing, Columbia College Chicago School of Theatre and Dance, 2026—Present

  • Wanlass Visiting Theatre Artist Fellow & Guest Director, Occidental College, 2022—2023

  • Associate Director, Stephens College MFA in TV and Screenwriting, 2019—2020

  • Adjunct Faculty, Stephens College MFA, 2017—2020

  • Resident Teaching Artist, Center Theatre Group, 2010—2020

  • Adjunct Faculty, USC School of Dramatic Arts, 2016—2020

  • Faculty, Columbia College Chicago, 2004—2010

  • Faculty Artist Exchange Recipient, Scottish Arts Council, Citizens Theatre, and Columbia College Chicago, 2008—2010

Classes Taught - Selected

Graduate Level

  • Feature Screenwriting

  • Writing the One-Hour TV Series

  • Writing the Digital Series

  • Video Game Writing

  • History of Black Cinema

  • History of Women in Film

Higher Education

  • Artist as Entrepreneur

  • Acting for Film

  • Directing

  • Scene Study

  • Viewpoints

  • Meisner

  • Improv

  • Professional Actor: Creating A Career

  • Devised Performance

  • Generating Independent Theatre

  • August Wilson’s Century Cycle

  • Writing the Solo Show

  • Leadership

  • Clown

  • Shakespeare

  • African American Theatre & Performance