Kirk DeSoto was born and raised in Hobbs. He finished his teaching degree in Roswell and got his first teaching position at Sunset Elementary. He became a principal at Missouri Avenue Elementary School in Roswell, but he missed the classroom. Kirk returned to the teaching fulltime. Kirk is well placed in the classroom as he loves to teach and encourage. He brings out the best in his students.
His acting debut came in the performance of Hello Dolly at Roswell Community Little Theatre (RCLT). He enjoyed working with the director Cathy Cook. He has a beautiful tenor voice. The musical director put Kirk’s vocal abilities to good use in his supporting role. Kirk will never forget coming up from a hole in center stage. He doubts that RCLT will use this trap stage door again, but said it was fun.
Kirk’s love for community and skill as a strong tenor voice prompted him to sing with the Roswell Community Orchestra in Handel’s Messiah. The Community Orchestra was delighted to have him.
Shyness and his reserved personality kept Kirk from the theatre for a few years after Hello Dolly. However, now he is back with RCLT and happy to be an assistant director.
Kirk re-connected with Denise Samuels and her husband Chris through teaching. He and Denise work together in the Roswell Independent School District. With encouragement from Denise, Kirk returned to the theatre. First, he went to the shows and rekindled his love for live performance.
Kirk his happy and proud to be a part of The Flock, a group of three friends from his school who meet and encourage each other. They have matching T-shirts and meet at least once a week to share burdens and delights. Through The Flock, Denise coaxed Kirk back into the theatre and RCLT. According to Denise, Kirk is the most excellent assistant director for Four Old Broads. The cast of Four Old Broads echoes Denise’s sentiment. The skills Kirk has honed in the classroom translate well to the job of directing. He has a good eye for scene dynamics and blocking. He spots strengths in performers that help the play move forward without aggravating sensitive egos.
Kirk recalls a favorite moment in Hello Dolly when, in the middle of one of the monologues, a fellow cast member was backstage dancing. The whole scene seemed to encapsulate the wonder and joy of live performance.
Kirk identifies two creative impulses in theatre. First, he is usually scared out of his wits on opening night, but in trusting his director and pushing through his stage fright, he marvels at his abilities. Second, as a director and an actor, he delights in the performance coming together almost impossibly through the work and diligence of the actors and crew.
Catch Kirk’s latest efforts as assistant director in Four Old Broads.
Four Old Broads opens Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the theatre. For more information go to:
I am a mother, author, engineer, farmer, occasional actress, and incurable dog-sap. I think things and write things and embarrass myself often.