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Artistic Vision

I believe that art education is one of the most valuable resources in providing a rich learning experience for young people today. I am dedicated to teaching young artists in order to enhance their confidence in their art and to cultivate their own artistic identity in today’s society. 

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Teaching Philosophy

Through the use of Kinesensic training by Arthur Lessac, I offer a holistic approach to voice and body training. I embrace a positive and constructive learning environment for the actor and encourage them through the use of Lessac body and vocal energies, to explore their vocal strengths and weaknesses. As a certified Lessac Practitioner, I am passionate about using this work to educate artists of all ages.

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Collegiate Courses Taught 

Theatre in Society  (Adjunct Professor Fall 16, Kennesaw State University)

A general education course in which students from all majors are taught the basics and the application of theatre in today’s society. This course was a hybrid course (face to face and online) using the D2L online learning system.

Voice for the Actor-Lessac (TA - Fall ‘15, Instructor Spring ’16)

Vocal and physical methods and techniques for use in the theatre rooted in the work of Arthur Lessac. 

Voice For the Actor-Voice Over Acting (TA- Spring ’15) 

A course for Theatre Majors which explores the recording, sound production and art of Voice over Acting. 

Theatre Appreciation (Fall 14’, Fall 15’, Spring ’16)

An introduction to theatre as an art form reflecting the aesthetic aspects and social conditions of a culture. 

Acting for Non-majors (Substitute-2 Weeks Spring 15’)

An introductory acting technique course using modern scene studies and improvisation specifically designed for interested non-theatre students.

 

Theatre Education

Musical Theatre & Acting Teacher for Da Vinci International School (Okinawa, Japan Spring/Fall 18’ 19’)

  • -  Created a Musical theatre program for High school and Middle school age

    children in which they learned to analyze musical theatre songs, read music, and perform them. Students learned group numbers, vocal warm-ups, physical wellness for the voice and body, as well as acting through song.

  • -  I created an Acting program for High school and Middle age children in which they learned acting skills specifically in the areas of voice, body, character analysis, and improvisation. Students worked in groups, pairs, and on solo pieces where they would analyze, rehearse, memorize, and perform their pieces. Students also learned how to put the acting skills the acquired in an improvisational setting.

Teaching Artist for Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre (Fall/Spring 16’ 17’)

  • Taught theatre workshops and provided one on one acting and speech coaching to students

  • Served as a judge for the August Wilson competition

Midsummer Musical Theatre Experience-Director/Educator (Summer 15’)

  • Cast & Directed We Are Monsters for the Performance Camp

  • Taught Improvisational technique, storytelling and Musical Theatre through creative Theatre games

Harlem Theatre Group USM-Founder/Director/Advisor/Mentor/Actor (Spring 14’, Fall 14’, Spring 15’, Fall 15’, Spring 16’

  • Co-founder of The Harlem Theatre Group on campus. This group was created to provide performance opportunities for minorities and to present the works of playwrights, poets, and writers of color. 

  • Directed the first Harlem showcase for the group

  • Advised the officers of the group on different show selections, pieces, and showcase ideas

  • Provided coaching sessions and audition material to group members

  • Taught Vocal health techniques to members

Sounds of Joy Theatre Camp - Director Of Drama (Summer 13’)

  • Cast & directed the Drama showcase

  • Taught Improvisational technique, storytelling and Musical Theatre through creative Theatre games

  • Individually coached students through their monologues

Young Actors Mentoring Program-Co-founder/Mentor/Drama coach (Spring 12’, Fall 12’, Spring 13’)

  • Co-founder of the Young Actors Mentoring Program under Alpha Psi Omega Theatre Honor society at Albany State University. This group was created as a means to travel to low-income schools and provide coaching and training to students involved in their respective theatre clubs. 

  • Individually coached students through monologues, dances, and songs

  • Provided audition material to students and helped them prep for school auditions

  • Overall mentor for students in low-income areas

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Workshops Taught

Vocal Projection (Department of Health, Spring 16’)

  • Presented on healthy vocal projection to an undergraduate class in the Health & Science department

  • Emphasized specific vocal techniques to keep the body healthy and happy

Vocal warm-ups for the Working Actor (FST showcase, Fall 15’)

  • Led students through various vocal warm-ups and techniques and guided them through their applied text

  • Gave the Director some notes on specific actors and some ways to help guide their voices to his desired outcome

Graduate School Workshop (Albany State University, Spring 15’)

  • Presented on how to find and apply for Theatre graduate school programs.

  • Provided a talk-back session to students and shared my experiences in Graduate school 

Lessac Workshop (Savannah Stage Company)

  • Led the cast & crew of The Wizard of Oz through a series of vocal techniques that are applicable to their everyday warm-ups

  • Worked with individual cast members in helping solve problems with vocal fatigue/fry

Vocal Coaching

  • USM’s production of As You Like It

  • Harlem Theatre Group

  • One Man Show Project

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Certifications

  • Lessac Practitioner (Spring 16’)

  • Hand to Hand Combat (Spring 14’)

  • Broad Sword (Spring 14’)

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Education and Honors

Master of Fine Arts - Performance - Acting

    University of Southern Mississippi

Bachelor of Arts - Speech & Theatre

    Albany State University

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  • KCACTF Irene Ryan Regional Semifinalist (16’)

  • USM Graduate School Hall of Fame (15’)

  • Three Minute Thesis Competition Semifinalist (15’)

  • Outstanding Graduate Student (15’)

  • KCACTF Irene Ryan Nominee 

    • Clybourne Park 14’

    • By the Way, Meet Vera Stark 15’

  • Dr. Walter Washington Award of Scholastic Excellence (15’)

  • University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagle Award for Outstanding Female Graduate Student (15’)

  • Langston Hughes Artistic Excellence Award (14’)

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Notable Literary Accomplishments

  • Co-Author

    • Children’s Play The Kingdom of Goodness and Manners

    • Available on Amazon (Fall 16’)

  • Writer

    • Creative Project on The Matchmaker, Dolly Levi

      • Research on Thornton Wilder,  the Historical Context: Economics, women during the time period, social class, matchmaking, script analysis and character analysis.

References

Robin Aronson- robin.Aronson@usm.edu, Monica Hayes- monica.hayes@usm.edu, Sean Boyd- sean.boyd@usm.edu, John Warrick- john.warrick@usm.edu 

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