About

Elena Kent

Founder & Creative Director

HEY Y'ALL, I'M ELENA KENT

If it’s artsy, let me get my hands in it.

I’ve been creating and performing for as long as I can remember. After earning my BFA from the University of Texas, I worked in television and commercials before returning to San Angelo, Texas, with my husband, Kevin, to raise our family. In 2021, we came back to Austin so I could explore more opportunities in the arts, and reconnect with the best city in the world. (Yes, it's changed a lot since those glory days of the 90s, but we still love it!)

I bring over 22 years of experience as a teacher, coach, and director. In 2024, I wrote, produced, and directed GoodWill, a short film created in Austin. I’ve directed dozens of productions, led full theatre seasons, and founded the Youth Performance & Production Workshop at Angelo Civic Theatre, where I worked with hundreds of young artists over 7 years with ACT.

I’m the founder and former Artistic Director of Be Theatre, a nonprofit I led for 11 years, focused on community-driven, accessible theatre. Through that work, I co-created programs such as Literature Alive and helped launch Shakespeare on the Concho, both rooted in making theatre accessible to everyone. We gave away over 10,000 free books to children and changed Shakespeare skeptics into Bard lovers.

The friends and colleagues at Be Theatre deeply influenced how I show up as a creative leader.

As an actor, I continue to work in film, TV, and commercials. I’m currently represented in the South Central and Southeast markets. I also enjoy teaching at The Actor’s School and collaborating with studios across Austin, working with both youth and adults in scene study, on-camera work, and professional development.

I am drawn to collaborations with other artists, which is one the motivating factors in creating Kent Collecitve.

MY PARTNER IN LIFE AND BUSINESS...

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 my creative spirit. I like this guy A LOT. And you will, too.