Teaching Artist Work

Experience

The REV Theatre Company, Teaching Artist, Spring 2022

I was thrilled to return to teaching artist work this spring with The REV Theatre Company, touring workshops on Careers in the Arts to third, fourth, and fifth grade classrooms in Upstate New York. Workshops included theatre games, storytelling structure, and theatrical design elements. It was a joy to work with children and see their excitement about how the arts were relevant to their lives.

The Anne Frank Project, 2019 Rwanda Delegation Assistant

Three years after my last trip to Rwanda as a Buffalo State student (below) I was selected by the Anne Frank Project to fill in as an assistant leader to the 2019 delegation. Our group of nine college students led intensive teacher training sessions with Rwandan professionals, using the model of story-based learning to activate classroom lessons. It was an incredible learning experience to witness the students owning the work and taking it to the next level.

Purdue University, Graduate Teaching Assistant, 2016-2019

While pursuing my MFA I taught a variety of classes to undergraduate students and assisted two others. Classes taught include Intro Acting for Non-Majors (6 sections taught), Voice for the Actor, and Vocal/Physical Preparation. Classes assisted include Theater Appreciation and Next to Normal (assistant directing a mainstage show).

Springville Center for the Arts, Summer Intern, 2017

As an intern for the arts center I worked with young children and teenagers. I helped to lead summer programming including improv classes, acting workshops, and theater games. I worked on two children’s theater productions; Aladdin Jr. (costume designer) and Beauty and the Beast Jr. (choreographer). I also stage managed the high school SLAM production of American Idiot.

The Anne Frank Project, Teaching Artist, 2014-2016

I was a devising member and actor in several different plays during my time with The Anne Frank Project at Buffalo State College. The Anne Frank Project (AFP) is a social justice initiative that started in the theater department in 2006. Our 2015 play, Mirror/Mirror, was toured around Buffalo city schools. Immediately following the performance we led students in interactive workshops reflective of the play’s topic matter (self image). I was also an actor in the production of Dear Me (devised by a previous class) performing for 1800 incoming freshmen and leading them in a workshop about connection. Other devised works I helped create through AFP were Shattered (dealing with issues of sexual assault) and Hello My Name Is (dealing with the topic of identity). In addition to devising I assisted in community workshops and presented in AFP’s annual social justice festivals.

The Anne Frank Project, Rwanda Delegations, 2015-2016

I was selected to go on two different student trips to Rwanda through the Anne Frank Project. While there, we learned about the history of the Rwandan genocide and the peace process. We performed a devised work based on The Diary of Anne Frank in locations across the country, including a refugee camp, a work camp for genocide criminals, and an arts center, among others. We conducted workshops in drama-based education techniques for Rwandan teachers and teacher trainers.

Camp Talooli, Camp Counselor/Art Director, 2010-2014

Camp Talooli is where I learned to love teaching. I was a day and resident camp counselor from 2010-2012 and the Art Director from 2012-2014. I worked with children ages 5-13 and learned how to adapt to different age groups. As the Art Director I had the opportunity to plan lessons and make changes based on theme, skill level, and experience.