Brian Grunkowski is an award-winning theatre educator and artist based in Plano, TX (DFW).

I began theatre as a high school student at Frisco High School in Frisco, TX. Under the direction of the brilliant Patrice Hesselbein, my love for theatre and theatre education began. After graduating high school in 2000, I continued assisting my high school theatre with productions as an assistant director. When the opportunity came for me to build my own program in 2009, I jumped at the opportunity. I was fortunate to open Heritage High School in 2009 as the first theatre director. While there, we tackled Shakespeare, contemporary plays, and children's theatre. I was chosen 2015 Teacher of the Year for Heritage High School. After building the program at Heritage High School, I moved to Plano East Senior High School in Plano, TX to tackle new challenges. I served as the Technical Director for my first three years before moving to the Artistic Director position. Since arriving in 2015, I have directed more than 20 plays at Plano East Senior High. Some of my favorite plays to work on have been: Urinetown: The Musical (Tech Director/ Choreographer), Chicago (Director), Blood Wedding by Federico Garcia Lorca (Translator/ Director), Machinal by Sophie Treadwell (Director), and The Marriage of Bette and Boo by Christopher Durang (Director). 

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In addition to theatre, I also have a wonderfully supportive family who supports and loves me unconditionally. My husband Corey and the light of my life, my 15-year-old son, Jaxson Samuel. When I am not working on theatre in some fashion, I am spending all the time I can with my mini-me. Below is a picture of our first meeting- the best day of my life!

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