As a director and choreographer of large-scale musicals, Anna's work is defined by playfulness, human connection, and movement-driven storytelling. With years of experience as a theatre and dance educator, she brings clarity, flexibility, and warmth to every rehearsal room. Recent projects include Footloose at Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Holiday Inn at Western Carolina University, Cabaret at University of North Carolina Asheville, A Christmas Story: The Musical at Argenta Contemporary Theatre, and A Charlie Brown Christmas at Flat Rock Playhouse.
"FOOTLOOSE was phenomenal. The 26-member cast, young and the young at heart, made choreographer Rachel Perlman and director Anna Kimmell look almost as good as they did in production numbers that consistently brought down the house."
Arkansas Democrat Gazette
"Directed with tremendous spirit by Anna Kimmell and buoyed by an infectious cast of teen performers, this A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS does its part in wiping away the gloom of a pandemic that has kept live audiences away from The Rep. The smile this induces will linger for a while."
Arkansas Democrat Gazette
"The entire cast is strong and clearly well-rehearsed. These kids act, they sing and dance, their comic timing is startlingly sharp. It’s a chain with no weak links. Plaudits to director/choreographer Anna Kimmell for a job expertly done."
Roanoke Times
Production Photos
Cabaret
Choreographer
University of North Carolina Asheville
Director: Stephanie Hickling Beckman Choreographer: Anna Kimmell Music Director: Matthew Richmond Set & Lighting Design: Robert Berls Costume Design: Casey Watkins Props Design: Stone Sound: Carolina Perez Stage Manager: CJ Long 📸 by Rodney Smith
Holiday Inn
Director/Choreographer
Western Carolina University
Director/Choreographer: Anna Kimmell Assoc. Choreographer: Justin Chaple Assoc. Director: Devon West Musical Director: Ike Webster Scenic Design: Tory Depew Lighting Design: Cassondra Klepzig Opal Costume Design: Trent Pcenicni Hair & Makeup Design: Ozzie Long Stage Manager: October Carper Photos by Trent Pcenicni & Ben Howard
Footloose
Director
Arkansas Repertory Theatre
Director: Anna Kimmell Choreographer: Rachel Perlman Clack Music Director: Robert Frost Scenic Designer: Sydney Lynne Costume Designer: Celeste Jennings Lighting Designer: Levi Wilkins Sound Designer: Luke Mitchell Production Stage Manager: Luisa Ann Torres Assistant Stage Manager: Ash Willeby Assistant Music Director: Sarah Chen Photos by Matthew Sewell Photography
A Christmas Story: The Musical
Director
Argenta Contemporary Theatre
Direction: Anna Kimmell Choreography: Allison Stodola Wilson Music Direction: Leann Jones Set Design: Drew Posey Lights: Griffen Birdsong Costumes: Shelly Hall Props: Lauren and Rick Nicholas Sound: Nathan Abshire Stage Management: April Marie ASM: Taylor Fulgham 📸: Warren McCullough
Arkansas Repertory Theatre
Flat Rock Playhouse
Arkansas Repertory Theatre
Arkansas Repertory Theatre
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Director/Choreographer
Flat Rock Playhouse & Arkansas Repertory Theatre
FLAT ROCK PLAYHOUSE Set Design: Dennis C. Maulden Costume Design: Ashli Arnold Crump Lighting Design: Ben Hamann Sound Design: Kurt Davis Music Direction: Lenora Thom Projection Design: Jeb Purcell Props Manager: Sam Gainer Photos: Scott Treadway/Treadshots ARKANSAS REPERTORY THEATRE Direction/Choreography: Anna Kimmell Assistant Direction: Bridget Davis Music: Julia F. Buckingham Costumes: Hailey Eakle Sets/Props: Benjamin Kramer Lights: Bill Miller Stage Management: Nicholas Bius
Willy Wonka Jr.
Director/Choreographer
Arkansas Repertory Theatre
Director/Choreographer: Anna Kimmell Music Director: Mark Binns Associate Director: Zachery Ingersoll Costume Design: Holly Payne Props Design: Lynda Kwallek Set Design: Mike Nichols Stage Manager: Merit Glover
Into the Woods Jr.
Director/Choreographer
Mill Mountain Theatre
Director/Choreographer: Anna Kimmell Music Director: Seth Davis Set Design: Karen Gierchak Costume Design: Jessica Gaffney Lighting Design: Alicia Varcoe
Beauty and the Beast Jr.
Director/Choreographer
Mill Mountain Theatre
Director/Choreographer: Anna Kimmell Music Director: Seth Davis Set Design: Karen Gierchak Costume Design: Amanda Phillips
Wizard of OZ YPE
Director/Choreographer
Mill Mountain Theatre
Director/Choreographer: Anna Kimmell Music Director: Seth Davis Set Design: Karen Gierchak Costume Design: Amanda Phillips
Choreographer The School for Lies Arkansas Rep
Director/Community Engagement American Patchwork Project The Wortham Center Photo features Jarrett Wildcat
Co-Director/Choreographer The Wizard of Oz Playground Stage
Choreographer The School for Lies Arkansas Rep
Other projects
Arkansas Repertory Theatre, The Clinton Center, The Wortham Center, Playground Stage
TYA: Various
Director/Choreographer
Mill Mountain Theatre
Alice, Tall Tales: A Folk Musical, Shel's World, Aesop's Fables,