education

master OF FINE ARTS – creative writing for entertainment

Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida – 2016

Creative Writing Student (MFA)
Study within the Creative Writing Master's Program with a focus on film screenwriting. Developed and mastered industry standards in formatting, grammar, and storytelling within a variety of genres, including: flash fiction, episodic television, gaming, and animation. Parlayed previous theatrical knowledge to build complex original character arcs with strong inner and outer journeys. Utilized source materials to execute detailed editing and revising between specific drafts and met strict deadlines with ease and reliability. Graciously accepted professional critique from colleagues and mentors. Thoughtfully provided constructive feedback to other writer's work. 

Key Achievements:

  • Spec full length Feature Film script: The Elephant Game © 2015
  • Flash Fiction story: Host © 2014
  • Spec Web Series episode
  • Spec Animated Short Film script: The Life and Misadventures of a Masseur Named: Wax On Chong © 2015
  • Character Dossiers (2)
  • Industry Standard script coverage/analysis

 

master OF ARTS – educational THEATRE

New York University, Steinhardt School of Culture
Education & Human Development, New York, NY – 2011
Academic & Swortzel Scholarships

Educational Theatre Student (MA)
Study within the Educational Theatre Program, recieved ETED teaching certification for Drama (K-12) and English (7-12) and developed a complementary range of expertise in lesson planning and classroom management in alignment with New York State Learning Standards for the Arts. Completed coursework in Dramatic Activities in the Elementary / Secondary Classroom, Styles of Acting & Directing, Hip Hop & The Teaching of English, Drama for Special Populations, Teaching Literacy through Drama, Physical Theatre and Improvisation, and Methods & Materials of Research: Ethnodrama. 

Key Achievements:

  • Conducted extensive research into homophobia/bullying in schools for thesis project, subsequently developed into an Ethnodrama, Off the Record.
  • Attended the "Drama in Education Study Abroad" program in London, Summer 2010; a program focused on youth theatre educational planning and included workshop, lecture, instructional and performance interaction with British drama experts, in-service classroom observation, and opportunities to lead drama classes in South London inner city schools.

 

master OF FINE ARTS – acting

New School University, The Actors Studio Drama School, New York, NY – 2006
Acting Scholarship

Acting Student (MFA)
Pursued dance and vocal training. Trained in Method techniques, focusing on Meisner Technique and Viewpoint workshops. Studied theatre history, film / on-camera acting, and ensemble building. Completed Shakespeare Intensive Directing and Playwriting workshops. 

Key Achievements:

  • Studied under prominent actors, including Ellen Barkin, Ron Liebman, Susan Aston, and Marilyn Sokol.
  • Performed in Christopher Shinn’s The Sleepers and Christopher Durang’s For Whom the Southern Bell Tolls.

 

BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS – THEATRE 

Pace University, New York, NY – 2000
Dean’s Scholarship

Completed coursework and contributed to multiple stage productions; wrote and produced original plays. Developed mastery of stage management, lighting strategies, scene / set design, direction, and production. Conducted extensive, four-year study of Stanislavsky acting methodologies. 

Key Achievements:

  • Authored and directed stage production of a one-act play, Frequencies, produced in 2001’s Festival of Original Plays; directed a student production of Jonathan Marc Sherman’s Women and Wallace.
  • Key player in staging of Shakespeare’s Othello, Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler, and 7 other productions.