Bobbi Kidder’s work as a facilitator and educator is creating environments that foster confidence and transformation. She utilizes creative arts, particularly movement and play, to create breakthroughs for individuals, educators, families, and communities—from her home base in the Pacific Northwest to around the world.

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In Oregon’s Rogue Valley, Bobbi is an emeritus instructor at Rogue Community College, an adjunct professor at Southern Oregon University, and an independent consultant for schools and businesses. In Seattle, Washington, Bobbi teaches courses and workshops at Northwest Creative and Expressive Arts Institute and Antioch University that emphasize the importance of curiosity, spontaneity, and connection.
 

​She has served on the National Association of Drama Therapy executive board, and chaired the Board Certification committee. At Antioch University she was on the Creative Arts Therapy diversity committee and led the university’s Playback Theatre troupe.  She has worked in many schools in the United States and facilitated classes and workshops in international sites including England, Japan, Thailand, Cuba, and China.

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The "utility of imagination" has long been a theme in Bobbi’s work.  Her use of improvisation as a tool for listening and understanding is one of her primary visioning strategies, often leading to reframing personal narratives and healing old stories. 

 

​Her awards and accolades are many. But her greatest achievement is collaborating with others to change lives. In her own words: 

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"If I look at improvisation as a way of playing and imagining, I can see that I have always been an improviser.  What has changed is my awareness of what that identity means and how basic it is to acceptance, curiosity, and nimbleness. It feels fundamental— this art and life form where the language of 'yes and' is in relationship with impermanence. Improvisation combines embodied play and imagination in ways both lighthearted and able to harness the deeper spirit of discovery. I have always loved that range of options, claiming it each day more fully in my life and work."

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EDUCATION/AFFILIATIONS

Advanced Certificate of Narrative Therapy – Vancouver School of Narrative Therapy, 2017

Board Certified Trainer (BCT) – North American Drama Therapy Association, 1995

Registered Drama Therapist (RDT) – North American Drama Therapy Association, 1984

Masters of Arts (MA) – Cal State University Los Angeles, 1983

Bachelor of Arts (BA) – University of Northern Colorado, 1972

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UNIVERSITIES

Marylhurst (Portland, Oregon)

Chico State University

Southern Oregon University

Kansas State University

Center for Creative Arts Therapy (Downers Grove, Illinois)

 

AWARDS

2011 – Received the David West 7th Generation Diversity Award

2008 – Governor’s Award for Community Service Organization – Drug Court Theatre

2007 –“Can Do” award from the Winema Council of Girl Scouts

2003 – Zonta “Community Rose” award

2001 – Asante Foundation (Southern Oregon Healthcare system) Spears Award for Excellence in Education

2001 – Southern Oregon Adolescent Training and Treatment Center – Child Advocate Award

2000 – National Corrections Film and Video Festival- Award for Best PSA (Worked with Youth to produce the PSA through funding from Listen UP!)

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BOOKS (see more)

ImaginACTION: Activities that allow students to get up on their feet and moving! Fort Collins: Cottonwood Press, 1995. Second Edition 2002; Third Edition 2009

Big Window. New York: Writers’ Club, 2002

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ARTICLES 

“Sally Bailey’s Barrier Free Theatre for Arts and Psychotherapy.” Fall, 2011

“Robert Landry’s The Couch and the Stage for Arts and Psychotherapy. ”Fall 2008

“Healing Through Action” Focal Point, A National Bulletin on Family Support and Children’s Mental Health; spring 2002 (3-6)

 “Healing Through Action” Dramascope, New York: Fall, 2002

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FULL LENGTH PLAYS

Of America I Sing: the Epiphany of Walt Whitman, 1987, produced via grants from Oregon Committee for the Humanities and The Carpenter Foundation. Archived in Impact Collection

Private Interlude of Eleanor Roosevelt. 1995. In cooperation with American Association of University Women and Rogue Community College. Archived in Impact Collection

Blinding Shadows, 2006. Collaboration between Impact Theatre and RCC. Archived in Impact Collection

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VIDEO

What You Want – 1995. Archived in Impact Collection

Ask for More – 1998. Archived in Impact Collection

PSAs –1999-2002. Archived in Impact Collection​

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