Bells, Tennessee
During her fifty-seven years as a theatre educator, Freda Kenner taught at least ten thousand students and mounted more than 250 shows. Her purpose in teaching was not to make stars but to give students an opportunity to express themselves and to learn to hold their own in all types of situations.
Ms. Kenner served as Tennessee state chair of the International Thespian Society from 1960 to 1965 and as a member of the ITS Board of Directors from 1966 to 1972. Other positions that she held include: vice president of the Southern Speech Association and of the Tennessee Theatre Association, chairperson for the National Speech Communication Association and the Memphis Speech Teachers, and member of the Legislative Assembly Speech Communication Association. Among her many honors and awards is induction into the Tennessee High School Speech and Drama League’s Hall of Fame.
