Mary K

Mary K. Baxter

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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Mary K. Baxter is a co-founder of Dramatic Adventure Theatre, a dynamic creative force with a remarkable journey. Her path began with a BA in Communications from Concord University and has since led her to the forefront of theatre, where she's achieved notable recognition for her acting, including awards for outstanding productions. Beyond her stage accomplishments,

Mary K. has been a driving force in the day-to-day operations of DAT, pioneering international programs and fostering community connections.

With a deep commitment to non-profit work, she has left her mark on organizations such as Free Arts NYC and Heal My Voice. A published author and now a proud mother of two, Mary K. currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Howard County Arts Council, where she continues to shape the arts landscape.

Mary’s Story

Mary K. Baxter co-founded Dramatic Adventure Theatre in 2006, shortly after completing her BA in Communications from Concord University, where she focused on Public Relations and Theatre. During her time at Concord, she was actively involved in the theatre program and later served as the President of her school's chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, a National Honors Theatre Fraternity. With her chapter, Mary organized various community service projects aimed at raising awareness and funds for local charities, primarily focusing on victims of domestic violence, AIDS, and sexual assault. She also designed programs to promote appreciation for the visual and fine arts divisions at the university.

Mary K. has worked as an actor for companies such as Summit Theatre in Bluefield, WV, Texas Legacies in Canyon, TX, Run of the Mill Theater and Downstage Productions in Baltimore, MD, as well as DAT and aWe Creative Group in New York City. Her acting credits include a wide range of productions, including 'Cinderella,' 'Little Shop of Horrors,' 'Grease,' 'Night of January 16th,' 'Under Milk Wood,' 'Oleanna,' 'Sylvia,' 'Antigone,' 'Sex without Pliers,' 'Flora and Fauna,' and 'Variations on Fear,' which received accolades such as 'Best Production of the Year, 2006' by The Baltimore City Paper and 'Outstanding Experimental Production, 2006' by The Greater Baltimore Theatre Awards.

Since DAT's inception in 2006, Mary K. has been instrumental in the day-to-day operations. She also held the position of Production Manager while acting and traveling through Zimbabwe during the workshop process for the original work 'Voices from Zimbabwe' in the summer of 2007, and again for 'Flight 360,' the first Ecuador Project, in the summer of 2008. In fact, since 2009, she has produced every international program at DAT — including 2013, while pregnant with her daughter. In 2023, Mary K welcomed her second child, a son, into the family.

A devoted mother, Mary K. actively seeks opportunities to further her non-profit experience. She has coordinated programs at Free Arts NYC, managed finances at the Washington International Horse Show, and served as a board member for Heal My Voice. Additionally, she has provided training, workshops, and consulting for numerous other organizations. Mary K. is also a published author with short stories in several books, and she notably wrote the foreword for 'Feminine Voices: True Stories by Women Transforming Leadership.'

Currently, Mary K. serves as the Deputy Director of the Howard County Arts Council and facilitates community programs and exhibits at the Howard County Center for the Arts.