Kristen Lynch is a Brooklyn native, director, educator, and arts leader, and the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Brooklyn Acting Lab. She grew up immersed in the arts, attending Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts as a dance major before going on to study Drama at New York University.
Kristen’s love of theater has taken her across the world. She spent seven years living in Paris, where she worked with adults as both a teacher and artist—using theater as a tool to teach English, build confidence, and foster connection. During that time, and after returning to New York, she also worked as an actress, performing on stages across NYC.
In 2008, Kristen co-founded Brooklyn Acting Lab with a vision of creating a joyful, inclusive space where young people could explore storytelling, music, and imagination. At BAL, she leads the organization with heart and intention—designing programs, directing productions, supporting teaching artists, and building strong relationships with families. She has devised original theater works and directed many of BAL’s mainstage musical productions.
Kristen also directs the Shelter Island History Museum children’s theater program and leads the PS 107 Talent Show residency, bringing her playful, ensemble-driven approach into schools and communities.
At the core of Kristen’s work is a belief that theater helps young people grow into confident, empathetic, and expressive humans. She is passionate about creating spaces where kids feel safe to take risks, be themselves, and experience the joy of collaboration.
Kristen is also a mom of two daughters and lives in Brooklyn with her family—deeply rooted in the same community she serves.
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