Denise McKenna

Ms. McKenna began her entertainment career as a

professional dancer while in high school. She continued to

dance for the next fifteen years, appearing in scores of

productions, including the Los Angeles Cast of 42ND STREET and

the films ANNIE, THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER, STAR 80, HISTORY OF THE

WORLD, and PENNIES FROM HEAVEN. Ms. McKenna attended Stanford

University and received B.A. in Art Design. After returning to

Hollywood full-time, she studied acting with Martin Landau,

Milton Katselas, Nina Foch, and was accepted into the small

Master class of Lee Strasberg. She appeared in commercials, on

daytime and prime-time television, and in Los Angeles theater.

Her work as a choreographer includes: NBC promotional spots,

segments on CBS's NEWXART and CAPITOL, and the comedy film MAID

TO ORDER. Her work as a director includes four years with THE

DISNEY CHANNEL. She has directed and/or choreographed more than

160 half-hour episodes of the award winning children's series

WELCOME TO POOH CORNER, and DUMBO'S CIRCUS, and the child-abuse

special TOO SMART FOR STRANGERS. Ms. McKenna is currently a

second year director at the American Film Institute.