In this episode, we sit down with Khalia Davis Philp, Producing Artistic Director of The Coterie Theatre in Kansas City. Khalia is a multidisciplinary artist, director, and producer whose journey has taken her from Broadway workshops to children’s theaters across the country. In our conversation, she shares the inspirations, mentors, and opportunities that shaped her path, how she came to lead The Coterie, and what it means to center inclusion, creativity, and accessibility in youth-focused theater.
Khalia co-leads The Coterie with the managing director, helping guide its performances and programs throughout the Kansas City region. Before taking on that role, she served as Assistant Director for the Broadway-bound world premiere The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical. As the former Artistic Director of Bay Area Children’s Theatre (BACT), she oversaw new works like A Kids Play About Racism, which involved over 40 theater partners (including The Coterie) and reached nearly 80,000 viewers via Broadway on Demand — later becoming a free resource for classrooms. She also led The Imaginaries: An Immersive Musical, developed through the BACT Writer’s Room to amplify opportunities for BIPOC playwrights and composers. During the pandemic, she and her team pivoted to digital and audio storytelling for young audiences, exploring how digital and theatrical experiences can merge.
Her directing and devising credits include the award-nominated She Persisted, The Musical (based on Chelsea Clinton’s book); a stage adaptation of Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings for New York City Children’s Theater; and Arthur and Friends Make a Musical! for First Stage, inspired by the long-running PBS series Arthur. She’s worked with major theaters including A.C.T., Atlantic for Kids, Disney Theatrical Group, Spellbound Theatre, and more, and as a producer has helped organizations expand their reach through interactive “edu-tainment,” digital preschool content, and children’s media initiatives via her own company, Kids at Heart Productions.
In our conversation, we dig into:
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the mentors and moments that shaped Khalia’s artistic identity
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the choices that led her to Kansas City and her role at The Coterie
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how she and her team approach season programming and curation
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what inclusion, representation, and accessibility look like in practice at The Coterie
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the future she hopes to build through theater that reflects and inspires all ages
Tune in to hear how Khalia is helping shape the next generation of storytellers- and to get an inside look at The Coterie’s vision for children’s theater in Kansas City and beyond!
Follow Khalia on Instagram and visit her website.
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What We’re Loving In Kansas City
Clementine’s Ice Cream
Sarah and her husband, Shea, recently made it over to the new Clementine’s Creamery in Prairie Village. It’s known for its small-batch, handcrafted ice cream and has expanded from St. Louis to PV at 6966 Mission Road.
The parlor offers 24 chef-inspired flavors daily, including non-dairy, vegan, gluten-free, and sorbet options, with favorites like Gooey Butter Cake and Salted Caramel Cookies & Cream. Guests can enjoy ice cream in waffle bowls, sundaes, floats, or take-home pints. Sarah said it was the best ice cream she’s ever had!
Trunk or Treat in KC
Megan loves taking her kids to check out a couple of the trunk or treat events in Kansas City every Halloween Season. We have a guide here with the full list! Know of one we don’t have down? Please e mail us! [email protected]
Connect with Megan and Sarah
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