Accessible Programming and Reciprocal Learning
I am an energetic and personable collaborator who draws on over twenty years of experience as a theater-maker, arts administrator, producer, director and performer. I value increased accessibility to and within the arts. I started Hello Arts as a way to be in community with creatives who also value curiosity and reciprocity in art-making. We share our skills in responsive partnership with communities and organizations from whom we also intend to learn. Program designs we create together will include space for reciprocal learning, impactful reflection, and program sustainability.
The Hello Arts Collective can help you: 
  • Identify and articulate your core values to potential collaborators
  • Facilitate community listening structures
  • Set sustainable, responsible programming goals
  • Discover and connect with inspiring artists in your own communities
  • Design creative programming for your space and your communities 
  • Ensure your programming is accessible
  • Create methods for reflection and assessment of your accomplishments
Previous Partners:
Contact me here for a free consultation. 

Related Skills and Work Experience

​Programming and Event Production, Management and Administration:
  • Special event and programming consultation and design for 12 different organizations in the US and abroad including cross-generational curriculum
  • Special event hosting using excellent interpersonal and public speaking skills
  • Partnership development and stewardship using various CRM software and grassroots relationship building
  • Maintained bookkeeping and budget management for entire organizations as well as for individual events

External Relations, Facilitation and Public Speaking:
  • Professional and community creativity workshop facilitation, movement studio and theatre classes for University of the Arts, Drexel University, Temple University, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Young Playwrights, The National Constitution Center, Diversified Community Services, Wilma Theatre, Pig Iron Theatre Company, Theatre Exile, New Paradise Laboratories, Arden Theatre Company
  • Non-profit grant writing, patron correspondence, creative and marketing copy for organizations in the US and abroad
  • Script-writing, song-writing, creative writing
  • Volunteer recruitment, coordination and training for projects in need of 20+ volunteers

Training and Facilitation:
  • Reception, clerical work and appointment scheduling, customer service and First Voice emergency training: Relate Counseling Services (UK), United Way, University of Pennsylvania
  • Employee and intern training and management informed by experience with creative team-building

Relevant Employment History

Portable Studio Program Director (and program designer), The Wilma Theater, 2017-2023
Self-employed Professional Theatre Artist/Host/Teacher/Producer/Grant Writer, 1997-2016
Interim Artistic Director, Brat Productions, 2011-2012
Office Manager/Assistant Program Director/Bookkeeper /Event Host: Philadelphia FringeArts, 1999-2003, 2013
Freelance Bookkeeper for various nonprofits in Philadelphia, PA, 2006-2009
Executive Assistant/Reception/Data Entry/Alumni Records/ Training, Temporary Staffing Agencies 1998-1999

Affiliations and Awards
Co-Founder and Director of the Hello Arts Festival, 2015, 2016 (now Hello Arts)
Knight Foundation Arts Challenge Grant Recipient, 2013
The National Constitution Center: Creative Consultant, 2006-present
New Paradise Laboratories: Board Secretary, 1998-2001 / Treasurer, 2002-2008 / Fundraising Committee
Philadelphia Theatre Initiative, Pew Charitable Trusts; Professional Development Grant, 2007
Independence Foundation Fellowship, 2006
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Fellowship, 2003
TEACHING
Bloomburg Arts Internships, Summer 2023; Philadelphia, PA
Professional Development Program Partner and Instructor (Self-Actualization)
  • Developed and Facilitated Professional Development classes for rising High School Seniors participating in paid arts internship program
  • Programmed co-facilitation with professional artists from the Philadelphia Area through the Hello Arts Network
  • Designed curriculum related to Cultural Accessibility, Community and Network Building, Personal Values, Personal Boundaries, and Personal Professional Practices.

Theatre Exile; Philadelphia, PA
Workshop Instructor (Physical Theatre and Character Development)
  • Developed master class for theatre professionals drawing from experience in ensemble-devised theatre making and clown training
  • Gave artists  experienced in varying styles of performance the opportunity to create/write original physical characters
  • Theatre Teacher (Paper Wings: Columbus Square Outreach), 2012-present
  • Introduced basic acting, singing, dance, story-telling, scene-work and physical character to students ages 5-10.
  • Presented rehearsed performance to faculty and staff
 
Philly Young Playwrights,; Philadelphia, PA
New Play Director, Director/Workshop Facilitator/Actor,  2006-present
  • Conducted playwriting workshops in Philadelphia public schools, teaching  dramaturgy, play structure, and character development to students age 12-18 in preparation for staged readings by professional actors. 
  • Directed and lead the play development process with young playwright and Temple University Actors for three weeks leading to public presentation at the New Voices Festival on Temple University campus.
 
Javier Galo-Cata’s Meisner Technique Program; Barcelona, Spain
Physicality and Voice Instructor, 2011
  • Incorporated Linklater and Bogart foundations with personally acquired approaches to connecting voice and body for use in Meisner study.
  • Offered individual guidance in physicality for scene work.
 
Prince’s Hall; Aldershot, Surrey UK
Youth Theatre Leader, 2010
  • Introduced basic acting, singing, dance, scene-work and physical character to students ages 5-16.
  • Guided and directed student written performances for parents
 
University of the Arts; Philadelphia, PA
Lecturer; “Movement for Actors VII,” 2005-2008
  • Developed senior level class for applying theatre techniques for performance and creating physical character
  • Evaluated presentations from existing work and student-written projects
  • Created opportunities for students to observe rehearsals with professional artists including Bill Irwin
 
The National Constitution Center; Philadelphia, PA
  • Creative Consultant, Curriculum Advisor and Lead Teacher; “American Adventure Camp,” 2005-present
  • Consulted with Scholastic, a global children's publishing, education and media company to create a new piece of outdoor theatre in Washington DC.
  • Created curriculum for pilot summer arts program by developing theatre exercises for ages 7-11 combining citizenship and the arts
  • Directed student generated work for public presentation and televised program with James Earl Jones
 
New Paradise Laboratories; Philadelphia, PA       
Actor, Assistant Director, Workshop Instructor; “60 Minute Mental Vacations, 33 Hours,” 1996-2008
Live Arts Festival, Dance Theatre Camp, and the Southern Theatre in MN
  • Collaborated in the development and performance of productions
  • Assistant directed productions for young adults, by young adults
  • Aided in the facilitation of workshops and classes for the public
 
Arden Theatre Company; Philadelphia, PA
Teacher; “ACT Classes,” 2002-05
  • Introduced basic acting, scene-work and physical character to students ages 8-10.
  • Guided and directed student written performances for parents
  • Taught introductory clown workshop for children
 
People’s Light and Theatre Company; Philadelphia, PA
Teacher; “Summer Stage,” 2004
  • Introduced techniques in acting, script analysis, ensemble performance and developing physical character to high school students age 14-18.
  • Co-directed students in a text and movement-based performance
 
White Box Theatre; Philadelphia, PA
Arthur Ross Gallery of the University of Pennsylvania, and The Rosenbach Museum and Library
Assistant Director, Performer, Puppeteer and Teaching Artist, 1998-2003
  • Aided in developing, constructing and performing educational installations and performances
  • Guided children grades 2-6, through art gallery exhibitions
  • Co-created follow-up activities for teachers
 
SINGLE WORKSHOPS AND GUEST INSTRUCTION
Live Connections; Songwriting with musician/composer, Andrew Lipke for  Freire Middle School's "Enrichment Day."
Theatre Exile, Physical Theatre Workshop for Professional Actors
Drexel University, for Aaron Cromie, Introduction to Physical Theatre
Legal Aliens (UK), Physical Storytelling and Collaboration Techniques
Swarthmore College, for Dan Rothenberg, Senior Acting Seminar
Temple University; Prof. David Ingram, Introduction to Theatre, Creativity for non-majors
Franklin and Marshall College, w/Sebastiene Mundheim, Performance as Pedagogy
Wilma Theatre w/Madi Distefano, Acting II
Comedy Sports, w/Kelly Jennings, Team Training
Kimmel Center, Solstice Celebrations and outreach programs
People’s Light and Theatre Co, Summer Stage
Vineland High School, w/Sebastienne Mundheim, Appel Farm’s Outreach

​EDUCATION & TRAINING
Theatre Arts, BA and English, BA             Virginia Tech
Composition                                               Burrows and Fargion
Directing with a Playwright                      Directors Lab. Lincoln Center Theater
Clown/Physical Comedy                          Bill Irwin, Ami Hathab, Pig Iron Theatre Company
Puppetry                                                     Marty Robinson, Sebastienne Mundheim
Physical Dramaturgy                                 New Paradise Laboratories
Contemporary Dance                                Headlong Dance Theatre
Rhythm Tap / Highland Step Dancing     Anne Kilkelley
Comic Improvisation                                 Jeff Worth
Guitar, Beatboxing, Songwriting              Self-taught