Dr. M. Crystal L. Yingling

Dr. M. Crystal L. Yingling is the Executive Director of Theatre Puget Sound (TPS). They have a vast history of challenging social justice issues across the world. In Korea they worked on multilateral cooperation events and performed as a vocalist for the ROK President and foreign dignitaries. In North and West Africa, they facilitated sports and cultural festivals to counter violent extremism. As a military commander in Afghanistan, they developed radio dramas to protect children from war effects and worked with Afghan women to ensure equitable representation. A retired Special Operations Officer, Dr. Yingling has been awarded numerous accolades including the Bronze Star. 
As a consultant for equity, inclusion, and interculturalism, Dr. Yingling works with organizations and governments, speaks at conferences, and leads workshops across the globe. Dr. Yingling holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Wheaton College Conservatory, IL, a Post-grad Screenwriting Certificate from UW, an MFA in Arts Leadership from Seattle University, and earned their doctorate through USC’s Global Executive Doctor of Education Program with the dissertation, “Rock and Roll with It: Empowering Girls to Become Leading Womxn Through Music,” which evaluated the efficacy of Rain City Rock Camp's music education in the development of self-esteem and leadership skills among girls and young womxn.

Locally Crystal has worked with numerous arts organizations including designing and producing Intiman's Emerging Artist Program (IEAP), a pre-professional training initiative dedicated to increasing diversity in the theatre arts, and saving Bremerton's history Roxy Theatre, both endeavors started as a Graduate Management Practicum while an MFAL Student at SU. Recently they were elected to the board of the Western Washington Center for the Arts, published in the international ENCATC journal with the article “The Possibility Spectrum: Increasing Diversity & Inclusion in Arts Organizations,” designed the curriculum for Seattle Central College's AA Degree Emphasis in Technical Theatre for Social Justice, and helped guide MFAL 2022 through their second year in completing their Graduate Summary Projects. You can also find their work sourced in numerous research studies and the textbook “Management and the Arts” (Byrnes, 2022).