Experience

(current) Director of Learning and Development, Three Brothers Theatre, Chicago

  • Co-wrote and received 21st Century Community Grant for partnership with theatre programs in schools through middle school ages in the Chicagoland area

  • Hired teachers and implemented first after school program with original curriculum and lesson plans exclusively.

  • Spearheaded first outdoor TYA production; Directed and produced with highest attendance rate to date

  • Hired and Facilitated staff meetings for productions

  • Created a video series for the school district reaching over 16,000 students

  • Spearheaded a Theatre for Youth branch of the theatre company; Initiated membership with TYA affiliate

  • Developed Educational classes for summer program including descriptive curriculum with lesson plans

  • Taught Middle school and high school drama classes

  • Developed 3 radio plays for national exposure Summer 2020

  • Directed two radio plays including Zero Hour by Ray Bradbury, with adult actors Fall 2020 and a family radio show Miracle on 34th Street, both for national exposure. 

  • Attended a theatre summit hosted by TYA.

(current) Cultural Arts Specialist, Waukegan Park District, Waukegan, Illinois 

  • Creating new theatre programming for teens and adults

  • Initiating TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences) programming

  • Producing high quality performance events including radio plays and outdoor performances and Disney youth shows for teens

  • Establishing community outreach to underserved populations

  • Budgeting programming including hiring and overseeing staff

  • Heading up staff meetings for innovative approaches to grow programs and increase attendance and raise awareness

  • Prioritizing being the face and leadership of the Cultural Arts Program

  • Scheduling staff and overseeing payroll

  • Working with local organization and establishing sponsorships for theatre programming

Related

  • Master of Arts in Communications and Theatre, December 2018

    Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA

    Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, 2001

    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL

  • Proquest

    New Play Exchange

    Click here for direct links

  • Illinois Arts Council Grant Reader

    Board Member Creative Space, Kenosha, Wisconsin

    Board Member Celebration Company at The Station Theatre

    Board Member Twin City Squared Theatre Company

    Board Member Bright Lights Theatre Company

    Member, ASSITEJ Theatre for Youth

    Company Member, Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company

    Member IESA Speech Advisory Committee

    Judge, Illinois State Theatre Festival

    Workshop Volunteer, Illinois State Theatre Festival

  • DAR Award, 1985

    American Legion Award, 1981

  • Drama and Speech Teacher, Middle and High school, Judah Christian School, Champaign, IL

    Head Music Teacher, Next Generation School, Champaign, IL

    Music and Social Skills Teacher, Simpson Academy High School for Young Women, Chicago, IL

    English and Drama Teacher, Circle Academy at Cunningham Children’s Home

    Musical Theatre Teacher and Director, Illinois Summer Youth Music, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL

    Music and Drama Teacher, Campus Middle School

    Department Chair, Director of Theatre Enrichment Program, Leal School, Urbana, IL

    Head Teacher, Theatre for Youth, Chicago Performing Arts Center, Chicago, IL

  • Directing Credits

    I Remember Mama (Radio Play written by Angela Marcum) Kenosha Creative Space, WI

    It’s A Wonderful Life (Radio Play) Kenosha Creative Space, WI

    Zero Hour (Radio Play) Three Brothers Theatre, IL

    Miracle on 34th Street (Radio Play) Three Brothers Theatre, IL

    The Shop Around The Corner (Radio Play) Kenosha Creative Space, WI

    Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Mainstage, Three Brothers Theatre, IL

    Mary Poppins, Mainstage Memorial Opera House, IN

    The Bishop’s Wife, Taproot Theatre Seattle, WA

    Lend Me A Tenor St. Joseph’s College, IN

    Picnic (Assistant Director) St. Joseph’s College, IN

    Up The Down Staircase Virginia Theatre, IL

    The Wiz Parkland College, IL

    Wizard of Oz Parkland College, IL

    Miracle on 34th Street Bright Lights Theatre, IL

    Stop Kiss (Assistant Director) Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, IL

    C-U Kids on Broadway Sunshine Dinner Theatre, IL

    West Side Story Holy Cross School, IL

    Cinderella Holy Cross School, IL

    Wizard of Oz, Bright Lights Theatre Co

    Miracle on 34th Street, Bright Lights Theatre Co

    Sound of Music Artco Theatre Company, IL

    King and I Holy Cross School, IL

    Honk Holy Cross School, IL

    Seussical Holy Cross School, IL

    Into The Woods Judah Christian Theatre, IL

    Singin’ in the Rain Judah Christian Theatre, IL

    Beauty and the Beast Judah Christian Theatre, IL

    Shrek Jr Judah Christian Theatre, IL

    Annie Jr CUTC Theatre Company, IL

    Beauty and the Beast Jr Judah Christian Theatre, IL

    The Littlest Angel Stone Soup Theatre, IL

    West Side Story Home High School, IL

    Sound of Music Home High School, IL

    Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Station Theatre Company, IL

    Producer Credits

    Frozen Kids, Jack Benny Cultural Arts Center, Chicago, IL

    Moana JR, Jack Benny Cultural Arts Center, Chicago, IL

    It’s A Wonderful Life Radio Play, Jack Benny Cultural Arts Center, Chicago, IL

    First Black History Program, Jack Benny Center, Chicago, IL

    Dandelion Wine Festival, Jack Benny Center, Chicago, IL

Additional Experience

  • Directed full scale production for the Mainstage

    Marketing Associate for Social Media promotion on two Mainstage productions

    Produced Facebook Live content for media exposure

    Developed partnerships with community businesses

  • Assistant Director to Karen Lund of Taproot Theatre

    Attended educational touring shows and staff meetings

    Extensive note taking for director and staff

    Worked with staff on marketing, attended donor event nights

    Created marketing advertisements using social media

  • Theatre consultant for promotion and marketing

    Coached students in acting and performance

    Adjudicated performances

    Consulted with Faculty on best performance practices

  • Produced and Directed college production of Lend Me a Tenor

    Introduced new and innovative ways to promote Saint Joseph’s College theatre events, including imaginative fundraising and promotional events with local businesses.

    Initiated community outreach with the theatre department

    Increased theatre attendance from both the college and the community

    Solicited cooperation from other college departments including both visual arts and sports teams

    Assisted with teaching college acting class

    Co-coordinated new Christmas festival for the College

  • Promoted and marketed theatre using contacts with schools, businesses, local celebrities and political leaders

    Raised funds from businesses, individuals using professional contacts

    Budgeted funds for productions and handled accounting tasks

    Planned and conducted special marketing and fund-raising events including world-wide XM Radio promotional campaign

    Surpassed expectations in theatre attendance leading to extended show runs

    Directed and performed in shows using self-scripted multimedia

    Hired and supervised staff

    Oversaw planning and brainstorming staff meetings

    Responsible for deciding shows for all seasons

  • Director of theatre productions at Sunshine Dinner Theatre, Virginia Theatre, Parkland College, Champaign Park District, Station Theatre, Holy Cross School, ArtCo Theatre Company

    Assistant Director at Krannert Center on Stop Kiss; Director Karen Lund of Taproot Theatre

  • Launched thriving private studio with over 30 weekly students including University of Illinois College students and several professional singers and actors

    Prepared students for auditions, singing and acting, including preparations for college and all-state auditions

    Ran all aspects of the business including budgeting, accounting, and scheduling