Assistant Principal Krista Keogh was acknowledged with the 2023 Administrator of the Year Award by the Colorado State Thespians, which is awarded to one administrator in the state who has proven their support for the theater program at their school.

As department liaison for Fine Arts, Keogh’s job was to help Admin know what was happening in the department and she was particularly involved with the theater program. Theater teacher and Director Alex Burkart was one of several on a team consisting of faculty, admin, staff, and past district leadership who nominated her for the prestigious award to recognize her support that went beyond the requirements of her formal role.

“What’s great is she’s really accessible,” Burkart said. “She wants you in [her office]. She wants you talking to her about situations that you’re in and she wants to be a part of the resolution on those things, too.”

Senior Natalie Wilkes, current Troupe 1730 president, has been involved in theater since their freshman year and remembers how Keogh has helped thespians overcome roadblocks over the past few years. They recall how Keogh spent several afternoons supervising students to make sure they were safely mopping the high walls in the aftermath of theater floodings last spring. She also helped approve the web streaming of theatrical productions and mask usage for the Fall 2020 play. She assisted in social events, setting up ticketing, and arranging for Student Senate and the thespians to work together on the popular Haunted House fundraiser last year.

“You can tell that she really has a genuine love for the arts and wants to help out any way that she can,” Wilkes said.

Keogh also played a role in advocating for what the students and Burkart believed would make the production the best it could be, even if they were risking some backlash. Many performances by Troupe 1730 address difficult topics; most recently, the Oregon Trail had scenes depicting drug and alcohol abuse as well as mental health issues. Keogh had conversations with students and Burkart with how to best navigate these topics.

“How can I as an administrator support that and get behind it, and then also, make sure we’re doing what’s right with the community?” Keogh said, speaking to the nuances of her role.

Keogh approached this question and her role in aiding the Fine Arts department from an administrative standpoint, but also as a former member of Creek’s fine arts programs. She participated in Creek 21, Meister Singers, and Jazz Choir, also performing in the musicals for all four years she attended Creek.

“I know firsthand how important the arts were for my experience as a student,” Keogh said. “It’s a welcoming environment to lots of different kids.”

After 10 years of being department liaison for Fine Arts, Keogh is the liaison for Library, Technology, and Science departments. Though her official role has changed, she anticipates that she will continue to gravitate toward theater even without the official title, admitting that she has already committed to helping out for the first few nights of the fall play.

“I definitely see myself continuing to be a supporter and a cheerleader and somebody they can go to and still ask questions,” Keogh said. “I still love going to the theater and I still love going to the production so I don’t think that will change in any way.”