Kathleen Buttolph returns to Milligan University as Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts and Guest Director for the 2026-2027 academic year. She holds an MFA in Theatre Education from Mississippi University for Women, an MA in Teaching from East Tennessee State University, and a BA in History and Theatre from Emory & Henry College (University).

Professor Buttolph has worked for the public school system and has served as adjunct faculty for Virginia Highlands, Walters State, and Northeast State Community Colleges, King University, and at East Tennessee State University as a Teacher Candidate Supervisor to aspiring Theatre Educators. In 2009, she was a guest director and lecturer with Milligan.while also working for the Town of Jonesborough as the Artistic Director of Jonesborough Repertory Theatre (2003-2009).

Professor Buttolph has worked in theatre arts education, directing, and programming for almost 30 years, specializing in building theatre arts programs that centralize access, community, and education. She initiated a skills-based theatre camp through Washington County Public Schools, Virginia, in 2021. She continues to write proposals and grants while serving as camp director to keep Washington County Schools Theatre Arts Camp and similar theatre education programs growing in her community.

Professor Buttolph is a proud co-founder of POP Arts – Power of Performing Arts, an inclusive performing arts program for individuals with and without disabilities. Her leadership in the arts is founded on creating and building opportunities – promoting the benefits of theatre arts education in schools and communities, serving the growth and accessibility of the art of theatre, and most importantly, carefully focusing on the interests, needs, and goals of students.

She lives with her family in Southwest Virginia.