From a young age, performing arts were a safe haven. A place where I could grow, explore, and step outside myself. From the very beginning I have been interested in ways that performance art creates lasting impact. In high school, I co-wrote, directed, and acted in a set of skits that focused on domestic violence and bullying. This performance troupe set out into the community to share these stories and ways to resolve the issues. The goal: to create a discussion.  Bringing theater to a community, whether through professional or educational theater, continues that goal.

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In today's world, the role of a Teaching Artist is vital to creating dynamic theatre curriculum that inspires our youth. In the last four years working at Crane Country Day School, I designed and implemented a hands-on technical theater curriculum for middle school and high school students that allows students to explore the technical aspects of stage craft via the way that we tell stories through the use of these tools. In addition, I worked as a freelance technical director/designer and choreographer for local high schools. My skills and leadership experience working with youth, teachers, and the community  allow me to help develop exciting programming that works in conjunction with community goals. 

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A key part to being relevant in an educational setting is to continue work on a professional level. This allows me to consistently bring fresh ideas to the stage and to my students. It also allows students to see how developing their skills directly leads to work outside of an educational setting. To support this, I regularly work as part of a stage management team on additional shows at the professional and community level. The unique insider trade of stage managements allows me to observe and learn from a diverse pool of artists. This professional aspect challenges me to consistently learn and grow, taking on new feats - something we challenge our students with everyday.

 

All the way through high school, performing arts were a safe haven for me. After years of being on-stage, I decided to pursue my skills in digital post-production and pursue a degree in the film industry. I graduated from Brooks Institute of Photography in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Commercial Production. After several years working in the film industry, both in production and post-production, I sought to expand my skillset by returning to school.

Little did I know that one acting class would return me to my childhood roots in performing arts. During my time in school, I began to translate my film production skillset into a stage management "toolbox".  In 2013, I graduated from SBCC with an Associate’s Degree in Theatre Arts emphasis in Acting/Directing and an Associate’s Degree in Business Management. I have spent the last four years as the Technical Director at Crane Country Day School, where I designed, built, stage managed, and choreographed various levels of children theater, including mentoring a student tech crew. To learn more about my technical theater curriculum, please click here.

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Recent credits include Sweeney Todd and Picnic at Laguna Blanca High School as well as Seussical Jr. and Bye Bye Birdie with Stage Left Productions.  Additional credits at Crane Country Day School include: School House Rock, Hairspray Jr., Winnie the Pooh, Puff the Magic Dragon, Wicked Wiz of Oz, Trial of the Big Bad Wolf, Chicken Little, Into the Woods, The Phantom Tollbooth, James and the Giant Peach, The Quest for P's and Q's, The Rainbow Fish, and the Little Mermaid.