Lily Odekirk is an applied theatre maker, educator, writer and producer. Currently pursuing her M.F.A. in Theatre with a specialization in drama and theatre for youth and communities at The University of Texas at Austin, Odekirk was born and raised in West Virginia and has worked both across the United States and internationally; her experience as a guest in each place she has lived influences her practice. Odekirk is passionate about applied theatre and youth-led research and collaboration. Projects include: co-director of Different Flowers Blooming, a Performing Justice Project original piece created by young people incarcerated in Travis County; co-deviser of Metamorphosis, a performance piece at The Blanton Museum of Art with GirlForward; co-producer for the climate-justice documentary theatre project Wild Home (Notch Theatre Company); co-facilitator for the international Applied Drama Institute. Her interactive documentary Bearing Witness premiered with The Salt Institute at the Portland Museum of Art. Odekirk’s research interests include youth agency and softness as a resource in documentary theatre practices. She is currently working on a documentary theatre project with young people within the juvenile justice system. Odekirk is the co-artistic producer for the 2025 Cohen New Works Festival.