TEACHING
The question that inspires me most as a teacher of theatre is “How can theatre and theater training better us as artistic innovators, and in turn better our world in some way?” I emphasize that theatre is an artistic medium that can only be fully realized in “present time and space” and therefore, theatre teaching is very much an exploration about how to be acutely in the moment. This earnest exploration is significant for future leaders in any field who must speak to our present moment with empathy, openness, and a keen awareness.
Please contact me directly if you are interested in private coaching or classes. Private sessions are available for audition coaching, directing analysis, as well as classes in playwriting and dramaturgical script development.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE (selected)
| *Playwriting Professor, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA Teaching Playwriting I and II to undergraduate students in a workshop setting utilizing exercises that explore elements of drama from the ancient Greeks to contemporary writers with a focus on encouraging storytelling that is authentic to each student’s artistic voice. | 2026- present |
| Guest Lecturer and Workshop Leader, Winchester Thurston School, Pittsburgh, PA Designed and led a workshop with within the history and art departments of this independent, coeducational preparatory school about the making of “JH: Mechanics” my play that melds the language of mechanics, century old ballads and primary historical records to explore the legend of John Henry. | 2025 |
| Guest Panelist, New York University Tisch School of the Arts, New York, NY Served as a juror for the capstone presentations of “Self Start: The Fundamentals of Artistic Entrepreneurship.” | 2021 |
| * Directing Professor, Carnegie Mellon University, School of Drama, Pittsburgh, PA Taught Fundamentals of Directing and Directing for Designers to drama students as an Adjunct Professor. Classes focused on understanding of stage space, sustaining dramatic tension, and the process of creating devised works. | 2010-2017 |
| Guest Director, Carnegie Mellon University, School of Drama Pre-College, Pittsburgh, PA Guest Teacher and Director for the School of Drama Pre-College Directing Class. Taught Viewpoints and Composition work to rising seniors in high school. | 2014 & 2015 |
| Playwright and Director, Pittsburgh 250 Celebrations, Pittsburgh Commissioned to write and direct a staged reading of new play about immigration and labor in Pittsburgh, inspired by the novel Out of This Furnace by Thomas Bell. Collaborated with Latino community leaders as well as eighteen teenagers and young adults in weekly theatre workshops to create Teatro Latino de Pittsburgh, performed at Open Stage Theatre in Pittsburgh in 2008. | 2008 |
| Workshop Leader, The Kennedy Center’s American College Theatre Festival, CMU, Pittsburgh Led workshop entitled, “Theatre for a Reason; Creating Original Issue Driven Theatre with an Ensemble.” Presented exercises and tools for artists striving to create original theatrical work around social issues. A four hour workshop presented at Carnegie Mellon University, School of Drama. | 2008 |
| Teaching Artist, Castillo Theatre, New York, NY Led workshop in ensemble creation, and discussions about immigration issues in collaboration with Brian Mullin, then head Youth Onstage! program for NYC’s urban youth and young adults. | 2007 |
| * Head of Theatre Department; Theatre Teacher & Director, Lancaster Country Day School, Lancaster, PA Full time faculty member for rigorous independent college preparatory school. Taught grades 8-12 and developed all curriculums and lesson plans. Classes included: Beginning Playwriting, Acting Shakespeare, Monologue Study, Scene Study (Advanced Acting and Directing), and Beginning Acting. Directed three shows, one each trimester. See Directing Experience. Academic advisor to nine students. | 2006 & 2007 |
| Adjunct Professor in Acting, SUNY, Westchester Community College, Valhalla, NY Taught Intro to Theater to college students, focusing on collaboration, imagination and basic acting techniques used in scene work. | 2006 & 2007 |
| Teaching Artist, Andrus on Hudson, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY Taught weekly classes to seniors focusing on oral histories and videography to create a community of storytellers. | 2005 |
