Kevin McClatchy

Kevin McClatchy is an associate professor and the head of acting and directing in the Department of Theatre, Film and Media Arts at The Ohio State University (OSU). He is also the director of the groundbreaking OSU Shakespeare and Autism Project and the Shakespeare and Veterans Initiative. McClatchy was named the Ohio State Artist Laureate, beginning a year of traveling across Ohio to bring Shakespeare and Autism and his work with military veterans and family members – including his solo show Scrap Heap – to various communities.

McClatchy is one of only three artists worldwide who facilitate ongoing training, workshops, performances, and presentations in the Hunter Heartbeat Method, the system of Shakespeare drama games used in Shakespeare and Autism. Some events where he has been featured include: Worlds Together/World Shakespeare Conference at the Tanks at Tate Modern in London; TEDx Ohio State University: Precipice; National Council of Teachers of English; Brooklyn Academy of Music; UCLA; UIDP-29 Conference; University of Colorado; Royal Shakespeare Company; and Park Avenue Armory.

McClatchy has been a professional actor for more than 30 years. His theater credits have taken him to New York, Los Angeles, St. Louis, London, and Columbus, including originating the role of Prospero in Kelly Hunter's adaptation of "The Tempest" at the Royal Shakespeare Company. His film work includes "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Vile and Evil," "Old Man and the Gun," "On Sacred Ground," "Unstoppable," and "Love and Other Drugs." He has been seen on television in shows such as "Outsiders," "Gone," "NCIS," "ER," "That '70s Show," "X-Files," "The Practice," "Another World," "Guiding Light," and "One Life to Live."

McClatchy has an array of topics and methods with which to engage audiences from classrooms to boardrooms. In addition, he has distilled all his experiences into a motivational talk on resilience, longevity in the arts, and finding joy in saying yes to new and challenging opportunities. Through numerous unlikely rises — college athlete, professional actor, tenured professor, and internationally recognized teaching artist — McClatchy's personal journey of salvaging his artistry through serving others is not about achieving stardom (though he has graced a few magazine covers) but about achieving purpose.