About

Elena Kent

Founder & Creative Director

MEET ELENA!

Elena Kent is an Austin-based director, acting coach, and creative artist with a lifelong commitment to storytelling and performance. She holds a BFA from the University of Texas and began her career working in television and commercial projects before spending several years in San Angelo, Texas, where she and her husband, Kevin, raised their family. In 2021, she returned to Austin to reengage with the city’s creative community and expand her work in the arts.

Elena brings over two decades of experience as a teacher, coach, and director. Her directing work spans numerous productions and full theatre seasons, and she previously founded the Youth Performance & Production Workshop at Angelo Civic Theatre, where she worked with hundreds of young artists over a seven-year period. In 2024, she wrote, produced, and directed GoodWill, a short film that is now complete and currently in the international festival circuit.

Her proudest accomplishment is as the founder and Artistic Director of Be Theatre, a nonprofit theatre she led for 11 years. During her time there, she co-developed programs such as Literature Alive and helped launch Shakespeare on the Concho, both of which were developed to broaden access to theatre and engage new audiences. In addition to community outreach, Be Theatre produced large-scale musicals and award-winning plays in which Elena was creatively involved, either as a director, artist, or actor. Her work with Be Theatre defined her career in the arts and continues to influence how she collaborates with the community and artists.

In addition to her behind-the-scenes work, Elena continues to act in film, television, and commercial projects. She is currently represented in the South Central and Southeast markets. She also teaches at The Actor’s School and collaborates with studios throughout Austin, working with both youth and adult actors in scene study, on-camera technique, and professional development.

Elena is the co-founder of Kent Collective, a space built on collaboration and creative exploration. She works alongside her studio partner, Sarah-Marie, who specializes in Scene Study and Dramatic Improv.

MEET KEVIN

Kevin began his career in the early 1980s in Austin’s hospitality scene with Chuy’s Comida Deluxe, growing from management to co-owner and building a strong foundation in operations and business development. He later became a licensed real estate broker and continues to work in both San Angelo and Austin.

He spent more than 20 years as President of StudioStream, a national in-store radio platform for Sonic Drive-Ins, where he oversaw operations and managed music licensing and billing for more than 3,500 locations.

Kevin is deeply committed to community, especially supporting young people in the arts and education. He has served in leadership roles with Ballet San Angelo, the San Angelo Performing Arts Center, and First Christian Church. He was also a hands-on PTO President at his children’s school and is well known for feeding hundreds of teenagers at weekly church gatherings.

Kevin’s heart for doing good is bigger than Texas, making him a natural match for Elena's creative spirit.