Community Arts Partner

Experience

Previous School Partnerships

After time away from classroom partnerships to focus on motherhood (and surviving a pandemic), I am excited to return to schools as a teaching artist. Below are examples of past partnerships that I have enjoyed through Seattle Public Schools. In addition to these experiences, I have also been guest artist-in-residence at San Juan Island Community Theatre (Shakespeare Summer Intensive), drama teacher at Sweetpea Cottage Preschool, co-founder and lead teacher of the Street Playwrights Project in partnership with PSKS (Peace for the Streets by Kids from the Streets). From 1997 - 2003, I was also a lead teaching artist throughout Chicago Public Elementary Schools, teaching creative writing and drama through Playmakers Laboratory. Before the pandemic, I served as education manager at ACT Theatre in downtown Seattle. For the past two summers I have taught drama with young artists at Coyote North in Lake City. CEDAR PARK ELEMENTARY - Feb - June 2021 In a volunteer capacity, I conducted interviews via zoom of all 5th grade class members as a way to offer time to reflect on their last year of elementary school, their experience of the pandemic, and their hopes or visions of the future. This resulted in an edited video - with input from students - that was presented to the 5th grade class as part of their promotion celebration during the last week of school in June. DANIEL BAGLEY ELEMENTARY - 2009-2010. Led two 8-week programs of after school drama class, with the themes of “Greek Mythology” and “Explorers” shaping the curriculum. Learning plans included games, creative storytelling, generating original performance pieces, and exploration with objects, music, and other inspirations. Participating learners were mixed age and represented a range of neurodiversity. KIMBALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - SPRING 2005. With 4rd grade classes, co-led a multi-week arts residency, integrating social studies with theatre. Helped students organize their researched biographies of Cesar Chavez, Rachel Carson, and Amelia Earhart into theatrical presentations of their lives and work. INTERAGENCY SCHOOL - RAINIER VALLEY - WINTER 2004. Students of varying levels of literacy studied, rehearsed, and performed a condensed version of Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It. Public performances were held at Union Garage Theater in Seattle. GREEN LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - 2003-2004. Developed and taught an after-school drama program for two age groups: Kindergarten- 2nd Grade: Focus on playing animals and objects, creating and exploring imagined environments, singing, dancing, listening and group skills for an ensemble based performance. 3rd-5th Grade: Our time together culminated in small group performances of original stories and characters created by the students.

WA State TAT Lab Graduate

Yes

Other Trainings or Certifications

Creative Advantage - professional development trainings Washington State Arts Commission Convenings. As a member of Theatre Communications Group, I am part of a national cohort of drama education administrators and teaching artists. As a professional actor, I am a proud member of Actors Equity Association.

Sample Lesson Description: Student / Classroom Residencies

Sample Workshop Description: Teacher Professional Development