Instructor| Hartford Stage
Playwriting Workshop
Writer’s workshop focused on the craft of playwriting, includes exercises in writing monologue and dialogue, developing strong characters, creating dynamic scenes, and structuring plot and action. The focus of this workshop is on creating a supportive atmosphere for writers of all experience levels to explore a love of writing for the stage.
Instructor | Connecticut Lyric Opera
Acting Coach | Summer Opera Academy
Coach acting for early career opera singers in Connecticut Lyric Opera's Summer program for young artists. Farmington, CT
Acting Master Class | Greve Summer Opera & Music Festival
Teach Acting through the song master class for early career opera singers in Greve-in-Chianti, Tuscany, Italy.
Lecturer | Fairfield University
Acting I | TA-30 | Hagen, Son
Theatre in Production: Shakespeare | TA-210 | Bate, Noble
Co-Instructor with Dr. Martha LoMonaco, Department Chair. Course built bridges between theory and practice as students engaged in practical explorations in the theatre as well as focused theatrical research in the classroom and through written research assignments.
Acting & Vocal Coach Coached actors in voice and acting technique for departmental production of Measure for Measure.
Introduction to Theatre | TA-11 | Wainscott & Fletcher
Lecturer | Western Connecticut State University
Acting I | THR-181 | Hagen, Son, Rebeck; Harkum
Students develop concentration, relaxation, and freeing the imagination, body, and voice. Improvisational exercises for exploration and discovery. Instruction includes techniques in characterization, script analysis and scene study.
Acting II | THR-281 | Benedetti; Aronson; Margulies; Baker
Theory and practice in advanced techniques of character development and scene study in contemporary comedy and drama.
Directing | THR-386
Co-Instructor with Chair, Pam McDaniel. Basic methods and techniques of lifting dramatic literature into performance, with special emphasis on play analysis, dramatic action, tempo/rhythm and climactic structure, working with actors, casting, and rehearsal methods. Course will include lecture, discussion and laboratory experience. Students direct a 10-minute play presented in an evening of one-acts for public performance.
Play Production | THR-390
A study of the basic principles in the production of plays: play selection, requesting rights, nonprofit management, publicity, casting, directing, and scenic, lighting and costume design.
Introduction to Theatre | THR-180 | Cohen
Study of the theatre as an art form. Emphasis on creating informed audience members and introducing students to a broad spectrum of theatrical activity.
Asynchronous online course.
Lecturer | Naugatuck Valley Community College
Acting I | THR-110
Introduction to Theatre | THR-101
Lecturer | Housatonic Community College
Directing | THR-225 | Catron; Ball; Son; Booth
Mentor student directors through exercises, script and character analysis, tablework, blocking and working with actors.
Improvisation | THR-115 | Halpern, Close, Johnson, Jonnstone
Teach short- and long-form improvisation culminating with the Harold. Focus on building ensemble, creating character, and storytelling.
Theatre Arts Practicum I & II | THR-290
Lead students through the process of rehearsing a play for performance.
Theatre History | THR-102 | Wilson, Goldfarb
A concise study of theatre history from Greek and Roman theatre to the present. Each era is examined through the formal study of play texts and visual materials. Teach asynchronous online and in-classroom versions.
Introduction to Theatre Online | THR-101 | Wilson
Overview of theatre as an art form. Plays under study have included Oedipus, Midsummer, Clybourne Park, Raisin in the Sun, Fences, Hedda Gabler, Father Comes Home from the Wars, and In the Red and Brown Water.
Theatre Program Coordinator | Tunxis CC
Acting II | TH-210
Introduction to Theatre | TH-101
Assistant Professor/Lecturer | Central CT State University
2019-2020 Excellence in Teaching Award Winner
Curriculum Design: Compiled a comprehensive re-design of the performance curriculum. Revised course descriptions, designated learning objectives and course outcomes, created a program map and identified departmental and program goals.
Acting I | TH-145 | Hagen, Aaronson, Son
Acting II | THR-245 | Benedetti; Margulies; Rebeck; Howe
Script Analysis | TH-253 | Thomas, Norton
Reading and analysis of plays from various periods and countries. Focus on text analysis from the viewpoint of theatre artists: director, actor, designer.
Improvisation | TH-143 | Halpern, Close, Johnson
Teach short- and long-form improvisation culminating with the Harold. Focus on building ensemble, creating character, and storytelling.
Contemporary U.S. Theatre | TH-477 | Brayshaw & Wits
A survey of contemporary theatre in the United States and the global influences that shaped it. Topics include artistic trends, the avant-garde, multiculturalism, new plays and professional preparation. Includes guest speakers, research project, and trips to see theatre productions.
History of Theatre I | TH-375 | Brockett, Norton
A historical survey of theatrical movements and plays from classical Greece to the 18th century, including a study of philosophy, theatrical architecture, audiences, acting styles and other elements of design and production.
Performance Practicum | TH-101
Workshop class with guest artists and experts in the field. Guests included: Cynthia Rider (Managing Director, Hartford Stage), Tracy Flater (Executive Director Playhouse on Park), Adelka Polak (Artistic Director Sova Theatre), Michael Lamb (Michael Lamb Studios), Jonathan Edward Cross (Artistic Director Magic Bicycle Theatre). Students learned through hands-on experience in workshops, in-class exercises, and working in front-of-house and backstage positions through the semester.
First Year Experience | TH-253
Orient incoming students to college life and to the Theatre Department.
Introduction to Theatre Online | TH-110 | Cohen
Lecturer | Southern Connecticut State University
Introduction to Theatre Online | THR-100 | Brockett
Asyncrhonous online courses 2007-2012.
Lecturer | James Madison University
Introduction to Theatre | THEA-210 | Cohen
Lecturer | University of Virginia
Directing | DRAMA-351 | Hodge; Converse; W. Ball; A. Wilson; A. Miller
Acting | ISHU-395 | Moore
Script Analysis | ISHU-425 | D. Ball; Jacobus
Lectures & Conference Presentations
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
2021 - Chair & Organizer | Theatre For Social Change - Conversations Project
Double-session models a workshop using contemporary theatre to stimulate conversations around social justice, followed by a discussion about the process of organizing Theatre for Social Change events.
Association for Theatre in Higher Education
2020 - Panelist | Career Capstone Courses: Preparing our Students for Today's Creative Workforce
2020 - Panelist | Finding Opportunity in this Weird Moment (Covid-19)
2012 - Chair & Organizer | The Capstone Course/Senior Project: Strategies for Design and Implementation
2009 - Chair & Organizer | Mentoring & the Art of Directing: Formalizing the Director-Assistant Dialogue
2009 - Panelist | Risking Innovation in Director Training: A presentation of Manifestos and the Academy’s Approach to Training Directors for the Future
2009 - Actor | New Play Workshop
Housatonic Community College
2016, 2017 & 2020 - Guest Lecturer | Margo Jones: Regional Theatre Pioneer
UVA Drama Series
2004-2005 - Guest Lecturer | Private Lives; The House of Bernarda Alba;
The Night of the Iguana
Publications
New England Theatre Journal | Season in Review
Hartford Stage, Hartford, Connecticut 2018-2019; 2019-2020; 2020-2021
Trinity Repertory Company, Providence, Rhode Island 2016-2017; 2017-2018
Additional writing samples HERE
Find my work on New Play Exchange
University Service
Program redesign committee 2020 | Fairfield University
Guest Artist Master Class - Nate Patten (Broadway) 2019 | CCSU
Schlock Improv Club Faculty Advisor 2019 | CCSU
Theatre Unlimited Advisor 2018-2019 | CCSU
BFA Program Mentor 2014-2019 | CCSU
Sophomore Assessment 2013 | WCSU
Theatre Program Advisory Committee 2006-present | HCC
Performing Arts Club Faculty Advisor 2010-2011 | HCC
Committee W 2007–2013 | SCSU
Master’s Curriculum Committee 2005 | JMU
Season Selection Committee 2002–2005 | UV
KC/ACTF – Adjudicator – James Madison U. production of Medea
Honors
Excellence in Teaching Award Winner | CCSU | 2019-2020
Excellence in Teaching Award – Honor Roll | CCSU | 2015-16
Directing Fellowship (full tuition plus stipend) | University of Virginia | 2002–2005
Marquis’ | Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World & Who’s Who of American Women | 2005
KCACTF Nomination | Director | Private Lives | 2004
KCACTF Meritorious Achievement | Director | Harold and Herman Met on a Fall Afternoon | 2004
EMACT Nomination | Actor | A Way with Words | 1993
Emerson College | Dean’s List | Spring and Fall | 1988 & 1989
Grants & Funded Research/Development
CCSU Faculty Development Grant | ATHE 2020 National Conference (presenter)
CCSU Faculty Development Grant | Theatrical Intimacy Educators workshop
CCSU Faculty Development Grant | Shakespeare & Company Dropping In Workshop 2018
CCSU AAUP Travel Funds | MTS Workshop The Ensemble Director 2017
CCSU AAUP Travel Funds | SDC Movement/Choreography Workshop 2016
CCSU AAUP Travel Funds | Shakespeare & Company NYC Weekend Intensive 2015
CCSU AAUP Travel Funds | MTS Workshop Lecoq Technique Director’s Workshop 2015
HCC Faculty Development Funds | Pilobilous Process Workshop 2014
WCSU AAUP Travel Funds | ATL 37th Annual Humana Festival 2013
WCSU AAUP Travel Funds | ATHE Annual Conference 2012
SCSU AAUP Travel Funds | MTS Workshop Lecoq Technique 2006
Directing
Die Fledermaus | Strauss | Connecitcut Lyric Opera
Bushnell Theatre, Hartford
Trinity-on-Main, New Britain
La Bohéme | Puccini| Connecitcut Lyric Opera
City Hall, Hartford
Greve-in-Chianti, Italy
Santo Fragillio Arts Center, Middletown
Trinity-On-Main, New Britain
Inheriting the Well * | Lisa McCree reading | Bijou Theatre | Bridgeport Art Walk
Victory | Athol Fugard | Capital Classics Contemporary Classics Conversations Series | LIVE on Zoom
Love & Imagination | Short plays by David Ives, monologues by Barrie Cole | Fairfield University | LIVE on Zoom
9 Across * | Theatre is the Cure | LIVE on Zoom
How to help your Cow Deliver in a Pandemic * | Theatre is the Cure | LIVE on Zoom
You're Fired! * A New Rock Opera | John Waller workshop | Donald T. Oak Theatre | Norwich, CT
The Horn of Salvation * | Lisa McCree reading | Billie Holiday Theatre | NYC
Peter and the Starcatcher | Rick Elice | Black Box Theatre | CCSU
Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi | Puccini | Greve Opera Academy and Music Festival | Florence & Greve-in-Chianti, Italy
Don Carlo | Verdi |CLO | various venues, CT
Troilus and Cressida | Shakespeare | BlackBox Theatre | CCSU
The Loathly Lady | Steiner & Richards workshop | New In November | Hartford Opera Theatre
The Marriage of Figaro | Mozart | Greve Opera Academy and Music Festival | Greve-in-Chianti, Italy
Aida | Verdi | CLO | various venues, CT
Mother Courage and Her Children | Bertolt Brecht | Blackbox Theatre | CCSU
one state two state, red state blue state* | Wes Savick | Lortel Festival of New Plays | Fairfield
Cosi fan Tutte | Mozart CLO | Greve-in-Chianti & San Giminano | Tuscany, Italy
Tosca | Puccini | CLO | various venues CT, Greve & San Giminano | Italy
We Won’t Pay! We Won’t Pay! | Dario Fo | BlackBox Theatre | CCSU
The Art of Dining | Tina Howe | PepsiCo Theatre | Fairfield University
Letters Home | Documentary Project reading | CCSU; Bradley Airport; New Britain CT
DollHouse | Theresa Rebeck | BlackBox Theatre | CCSU
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play | Joe Landry | Torp Theatre | CCSU
A Dream Play * | August Strindberg devised adaptation | WCSU @ TBG Theatre | NYC
Metamorphoses | Mary Zimmerman | Performing Arts Center | HCC
Arabian Nights | Dominic Cooke | aces/eca | New Haven
Hay Fever | Noël Coward | Performing Arts Center | HCC
Private Lives | Noël Coward | Culbreth Theatre | UVa
The House of Bernarda Alba | Federico Garcia Lorca | Culbreth Theatre | UVa
The Night of the Iguana | Tennessee Williams | Helms Theatre | UVa
Something Made Up | Barrie Cole | Helms Theatre | UVa
The Virtuous Burglar | Dario Fo | Helms Theatre | UVa
She Tells Her Daughter | Djuna Barnes | The Lab | UVa
Tasha Walks * | Kim Merrill | starring Alice Spivak | Women’s Project | NYC
A Girl’s Guide to the Divine Comedy | Shelley Berc workshop | Women’s Project | NYC
Once Upon A Time * | Dan Clancy workshop | Rattlestick | NYC
Peritonitis Killed the Great Houdini * | Laura Henry staged reading | Rattlestick | NYC
Heartbreak House | George Bernard Shaw workshop | New Georges Roaring Girls | NYC
Zodiac * | Sharon Eberhardt | Youngblood @ Ensemble Studio Theatre | NYC
Serpentarium * | Sharon Eberhardt | Youngblood Octoberfest @ EST | NYC
Orchis * | Amy Fox | Youngblood @ Ensemble Studio Theatre | NYC
Shaking the Goose Egg * | Jane Ginnero staged reading | EST | NYC
Traps | Caryl Churchill | Currican Theatre | NYC
Loose Knit | Theresa Rebeck | SplitEnds Theatre Company | NYC
A Woman Alone | Fo & Ramé | The Sackett Group Women’s Work Festival | NYC
Nada * | J. Murphy | Inaugural FringeNYC festival, extended in Fringe Round-up | NYC
Fate * | Elizabeth Horsburgh | New Georges Perform-A-Thon | NYC;
Screaming Venus Kallisti Festival & MTS Estrogenious Festival | NYC
Modern Love * | TC Boyle | Lightning Strikes Theatre | NYC
Bits of String * | Barrie Cole | Hold the Phone Productions | Boston
Cultivation * | Barrie Cole | Hold the Phone Productions | Boston
* world premiere
Assistant Director
The Piano Lesson | August Wilson | Arena Stage | Washington DC
Seret Scott Director
Ascendancy* | Gary Bonasorte | Rattlestick | NYC
Terence McNally Project Mentor | Rob Bundy Director
Fishes* | Diana Son | New Georges | NYC
Judy Minor Director
As You Like It | William Shakespeare | Culbreth Theatre | UVa
Betsy Tucker Director
Fool for Love | Sam Shepard | Emerson College | Boston
Carlo Cuesta Director
The Stonewater Rapture | Doug Wright | Emerson College | Boston
Carlo Cuesta Director
*world premiere
Actor
Theatre
We Won’t Pay! We Won’t Pay! Antonia (u/s, performed) Blackbox | CCSU
Footfalls May Live Arts | Charlottesville
Festivities* Gigi Live Arts | Charlottesville
The Role of Della Director The Lab | UVa
All in the Timing Betty HB Studios | NYC
Cyrano de Bergerac* Sister Marthe Angel Orensanz Foundation | NYC
A Kind of Alaska Deborah Emerson College | Boston
The Cousins* Dana Triangle Theatre | Boston
Who Killed Martha Mitchell?* Reggie Women’s Theatre Project | Boston
The Loveliest Afternoon of the Year She Brookline Theatre | Boston
A Way With Words Louise Brookline Theatre | Boston
The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant Gabi Emerson College | Boston
Long Form Improvisation
Eat Coffee/Eat Donuts Company Member NYC
International House of Improv Company Member Boston
Creating It Through Productions Company Member Boston
Film & Television
Blown Away Wedding Guest MGM Studios
Healthy Start PSA Mother Adam Geiger Director
Straight Up, No Olive Maria Pick Me Productions
The Script Monica Harvard University Film
Dinner Excursion Claudia Boston University Film
* world premiere italics = lead role
Leadership
Associate Artistic Director | Connecticut Lyric Opera | Hartford 2019-Present. Direct opera in Connecticut and Italy; assist with company management, development campaign, and administration.
Affiliated Artist | Capital Classics Theatre Company | Hartford 2019-Present.
Assist in development and launch of new Contemporary Classics initiative, direct readings and productions of contemporary plays, connect company with contemporary playwrights.
Core Faculty | Greve Opera Academy & Music Festival | Tuscany 2017-Present. Direct opera in Italy; teach master classes in acting, manage productions.
Theatre Program Coordinator | Tunxis Community College | 2022
Resident Stage Director | Connecticut Lyric Opera | Hartford 2018-2019.
Direct opera productions across the state of Connecticut.
Festival Coordinator | Lucille Lortel Festival of New Plays | Fairfield 2017.
Created and disseminated call for submission, reviewed and ranked all submissions, communicated with playwrights, directed staged-reading of new musical. Fairfield University.
Program Coordinator | International Festival of Arts & Ideas | New Haven 2007. Coordinated all aspects of the vibrant Ideas Program including travel arrangements, scheduling, technical requirements, and composed comprehensive post-mortem report.
Artistic Associate | Rattlestick | NYC 2000–2001.
David Van Asselt Artistic Director. Directed readings and workshops, assisted with creation of Exposure/NY Festival, wrote grant proposals, developed fundraising timetable and connected Rattlestick with the ART/NY community of non-profit theatres. Affiliated writers include John Guare, Arthur Kopit, Craig Lucas, Terence McNally, Marsha Norman, Lucy Thurber and Adam Rapp.
Managing Director | Arden Party | NYC 1995–1997.
Karin Coonrod Artistic Director. Off-Off-Broadway company with a mission to energize the classics. Produced the critically acclaimed Victor or Children Take Over by Roger Vitrac, secured the largest base of funding in the company’s history and retired outstanding debts. Attended Arts Action Research seminars with non-profit theatre leaders across NYC. Company members and affiliated artists included Joanna Adler, Tony Geballe, Jan Leslie Harding, Gretchen Krich, Patrick Morris, Emily Morse, Thomas Jay Ryan, T. Ryder Smith and James Urbaniak.
Development Associate | José Limón Dance Foundation | NYC 1994-1995.
Wrote grant letters, assisted Managing Director with fundraising efforts.
Artistic Director | Hold the Phone Productions | Boston 1990–1991.
Founded collaborative company to develop and present the lyrical plays of Barrie Cole. Directed productions. Donated 10% of gross ticket sales to Boston-area women’s shelter.
Artistic Director | Broadcasting Comedy | Emerson College | Boston 1989–1990. Founded organization with a mission to bring students from the writing, theatre and television departments together to create original works for broadcast by Emerson’s television studios.
Sound Design
Love & Imagination | Ives & Cole | Live on Zoom | Fairfield University
We Won’t Pay! We Won’t Pay! | Dario Fo | BlackBox Theatre | CCSU
The Art of Dining | Tina Howe | PepsiCo Theatre | Fairfield University
DollHouse | Theresa Rebeck | BlackBox Theatre | CCSU
A Dream Play | Strindberg devised adaptation | WCSU @ TBG Theatre | NYC
Metamorphoses | Mary Zimmerman | Performing Arts Center | HCC
Arabian Nights | Dominic Cooke | aces/eca | New Haven
Hay Fever | Noël Coward | Performing Arts Center | HCC
Private Lives | Noël Coward | Culbreth Theatre | UVa
The House of Bernarda Alba | Federico Garcia Lorca | Culbreth Theatre | UVa
The Night of the Iguana | Tennessee Williams | Helms Theatre | UVa
Technical Experience
Stage Manager
International Festival of Arts and Ideas | New Haven 2006
Florida Studio Theatre | Sarasota 1990-1991
Ubu Repertory Theatre | Goodnight, Sweetdreams | NYC 1990
Emerson College | dozens of shows | Boston 1987-1990
Production Manager | Emerson College spring & fall 1989
Supervised student use of Loft and Circle Theatres, scheduled rehearsals.
K-12 Teaching
Playhouse on Park | Auerfarm | Bloomfield, CT 2021
Taught theatre enrichment program for youth grades K-10.
O’Neill At Yale | New Haven, CT 2006-2007
Developed short plays for O’Neill Playwright's Studio. Assisted with program administration and planning, mentored student playwrights, directed student work.
Coop Arts Magnet High School | New Haven, CT 2006
Taught Acting and Theatre Foundations classes, led after-school drama club.
ACES/ECA Arts Magnet School | Words! Action! Theatre! | New Haven, CT 2006
Taught acting in summer theatre program for junior high school students. Directed production of Arabian Nights by Dominic Cooke.
Performing Arts Programs | Hartford, CT 2006
Taught acting classes in a variety of Connecticut communities to students K-12. Coached high school students with musical theatre numbers and audition material. Taught and directed for the February Vacation Program at the Bushnell Theatre.
Hartford Children’s Theatre | Hartford, CT 2006
Taught acting classes for K-12 afterschool programs in a variety of Connecticut communities.
Comprehensive Arts | New Haven, CT 2006
Taught playwriting in New Haven public schools, directed original plays.
Upward Bound | Charlottesville, VA 2004
Taught computer skills to at-risk teens in college preparatory program at UVa.
Emerson College YouTheatre | Boston, MA 1989 & 1990
Taught acting to teenagers in summer program. Supervised students working in technical areas.
Training
Playwriting | Roland Tec; Tammy Ryan; Arlene Hutton; Carissa Meagher; Myles Coiner
Theatrical Intimacy | Best Practices Workshop | Theatrical Intimacy Education
The Ensemble Director | Emanuelle Delpech (Pig Iron/Movement Theatre Studio)
Movement/Choreography Workshop | Barney O’Hanlon & Sam Pinkleton (SDCF)
Process Workshop | Pilobolus Dance Company (Company Headquarters)
Viewpoints | Kim Rubinstein (Long Wharf Theatre); Doreen Bechtol (Shenendoah Shakespeare)
Lecoq Technique | Norman Taylor (Movement Theatre Studio 2006 & 2015)
Michael Chekhov Technique | Ragnar Friedank (Columbia University)
Creating Community | Anna Halprin (San Francisco)
Process Workshop | Polly Teale (Shared Experience, London)
Online Scene Study | Nina Pinchin (Hartford Stage)
Audition Techniques | Rachel Alderman (Hartford Stage)
Accents & Dialects | Emely Wilson (Hartford Stage)
Shakespeare Intensive | Dennis Krausnick (Shakespeare & Company)
Dropping-In Workshop | Tina Packer (Shakespeare & Company)Voice for Shakespeare | Andrew Wade (Royal Shakespeare Company)
Acting and Directing Shakespeare | Mark Lamos (Westport Country Playhouse)
Shakespeare Workshop | The Acting Company (Westport Country Playhouse)
Shakespeare & The Canon: Tragedies & Romances | Harold Bloom (Yale)
Period Styles | Sabin Epstein (American Conservatory Theatre)
On-Camera Acting Workshop | Craig Archibald (The Archibald Studio, LA)
Lyric Writing, Song Form and Music Workshop | MTI | Zoom
Acting/Scene Study | Ed Moorehouse (HB Studios), David Mold, Richard Freeman (The New Theatre), Steve Ramay (fst), Richard Warner (uva), Richard Toma, Tim House, Kathleen Donohue (Emerson College)
Improvisation | Gary Austin (nyc), Mike Rock (Improv Olympics), Baby Wants Candy, Tim House (Emerson College)
Directing | Curt Dempster, Jamie Richards (Ensemble Studio Theatre), Betsy Tucker, Bob Chapel, Marianne Kubik (uva), Maureen Shea (Emerson)
Sound Design | Michael Raspberry (uva)
Non-Profit Theatre Workshop | George Thorn, Nello McDaniel (Arts Action Research)
Affiliations & Memberships
American Association of University Professors | Member 2006–present
Congress of Connecticut Community Colleges | Member 2006–present
Association of Theatre in Higher Education | Member 2005–present
Acting Program Executive Committee | New Professional Representative '05-07
Stage Directors and Choreographers Society | Associate Member 2000–present
Theatre Communications Group | Member 1999–present
The Women’s Project | Director’s Forum 2001–2002
New Georges | Affiliated Artist & Roaring Girl 1997–2002
Ensemble Studio Theatre | Theatre Lab 1999