Community Arts Partner

Teaching Approach

Teaching Philosophy + Approach

My goals as a teaching artist are to empower and challenge my students, to create a safe and engaging atmosphere for risk and experimentation, and (when applicable) to remove any preconceptions that Shakespeare is hard, elite, or boring. I love introducing theatre and Shakespeare to students who have had little or no exposure to them. Through exploring the text they find that their concerns and insecurities are more universal than they realized, and they see their feelings and experiences captured richly and beautifully. I do not train actors, but rather offer students engagement with and ownership of something that will enrich their lives in ways they may not even recognize or appreciate until much later. When I teach, I plan an assortment of activities appropriate to age and awareness level that are designed to demystify acting and text/Shakespeare, get students on their feet and having fun, and require them to read aloud or dissect text to get it in their minds, bodies, and mouths. Theatre can be a key to understanding yourself and your place in the world, and I love to help guide students through that experience.

Curriculum Integration Possibilities

English/Language arts; History/Social Studies; Creative writing; Art; Music

Special Skills and Areas of Expertise

Extensive experience working with at-risk populations, including homeless teens, incarcerated students, teen parents, drop-outs, and gang-affiliated students. I'm very interested in exploring themes of identity and self in drama, especially with adolescents.

Testimonials from Schools

Jim Riley, Head 3-5 teacher, University Cooperative School, jim@ucoopschool.org, 206-524-0653 Joel Isaksen, Co-teacher on Green Hill School Residency, joelisaksen@gmail.com