Professional Objective

To continue to develop creatively, professionally and personally in performing arts education through the innovative design of curricular and production experiences that develop students' technical skills and creativity.  To maximize the potential of the teachable moment by focusing on high expectations for student growth in a challenging, supportive and dynamic environment.

Education

Master of Arts in Education, August 2014
Focus Areas:  Learning and Technology in Performing Arts
Michigan State University, College of Education - East Lansing, MI

Master of Arts in Teaching and Curriculum, Progress 1997
Focus Areas:  Curriculum Design and Implementation (24 Credits toward Master's)
Michigan State University, College of Education - East Lansing, MI

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, May 1996
Focus Areas: Dance and Choreography, Directing, Design and Improvisation
Michigan State University, Department of Theatre and Dance - East Lansing, MI

Certifications

Professional Secondary Teacher Certification, September 2012 
Michigan State University College of Education, Certifications BD/FA
Michigan Department of Education - Lansing, MI

Provisional Secondary Teacher Certification, September 2000
Michigan State University College of Education, Certifications BD/FA
Michigan Department of Education - Lansing, MI

Professional Experience

Warren Consolidated School of Performing Arts / Sterling Heights High School:   2010-Present
Teacher, Choreographer/Director - Dance and Theatre (WCSPA); Junior Varsity Dance Team Coach (SHHS) 
  • Tenured teacher of high school Dance and Theatre at an intensive Performing Arts magnet program in the Warren Consolidated School District.
  • Choreographer for mainstage musicals/plays and dance concerts or other student performances. 
  • Direction and Assistant Direction of plays and musicals or other student performances.
  • Coordination of public relations, marketing and sponsorship/fundraising through annual ad campaign. 
  • Digital media production (audio and video), and design, assist with other technical theatre design as needed. 
  • SHHS Junior Varsity Dance Team coach (2012-14). 
  • Increased student participation and technical proficiency in areas of dance (all styles) and funds raised through annual ad campaign/sponsorships.

Lake Orion High School:  1998-2002
Teacher/Director of Fine and Performing Arts - Dance and Theatre 
  • Tenured teacher of high school Dance, Theatre, Film and Speech classes. 
  • Developed/implemented new Dance curriculum extended through extra-curricular Dance Company, LO Movers. 
  • Technical production/design, publicity/house administration, and parent and volunteer/community outreach activities.  
  • Director of Dance and Theatre programs: Fall Theatre Production, Dance Concert, Children’s Theatre Touring Company, Improvisation Troupe, MIFA Theatre Festival, Spring Musical, Spring Dance Workshop & Dance Concert, Talent Show, Annual Gala Awards and Officer’s NYC Theatre Study Tour.  
  • Theatre and Dance (B-1) clubs experienced a 400% financial growth; Participation of over 300+ students involved in annual Spring Musical or other events

Sunrise Performing Arts Center; Just Ducky Productions:   2004-2007
Artistic Director/Teacher; Producer/Host
  • Taught tap, jazz, hip-hop, ballroom/social dance and guitar/voice private and group classes ages 7 to adult.  
  • Annual spring concert held at Shoreline Players Theater or Oscoda Community Center.  
  • Community outreach classes in ballroom/social dance and improvisation at Tawas Bay Players and Tawas United Methodist Church.
  • On-camera host, producer, artistic director, and editor of original programming for Community Television Public Access Channel 
  • Channel 3 CTV (Charter Cable Network) programming produced: Halloween Special, What’s Cookin’ Series, SnowBox Derby Community Special.

AdCom Productions:  2003-2007
Producer, On-Camera Host, Account Executive 
  • Community Television (CTV) and Public Access Channels 3 & 13
  • Producing, scripting, hosting (on camera), sponsorship sales/contract writing and negotiation
  • Production and design: video/audio editing, program development, screen writing, artistic direction, graphic design of television/print advertising. 
  • Customer account management and billing.

Oscoda Area Schools, Tawas Area Schools, IRESA:   2002-2006
Substitute Teacher – Secondary, Elementary 
  • Substitute Teacher for all grade levels and subject areas, Tawas and Oscoda districts.  
  • Substitute teacher at Iosco Regional Educational Service Agency (Multi-district, Voc. Ed) in Multimedia, Home Living Lab (POHI) classrooms. 

Oscoda-AuSable Chamber of Commerce:  2007-2008
Events and Marketing Director
  • Direction, coordination and development of special events/community festival- entertainment and attractions; Volunteers, vendors and exhibitors coordination
  • Sponsorship and fundraising; Membership events, benefits and retention.
  • Budgeting/accounting; reporting, tracking profit and loss by event and prepare reports for Board of Trustees, membership
  • Development and distribution of marketing tools and advertisements through multi-media sources and website development/composition. 
  • Represent the OACC at events, meetings and in the press/media.  

Kalitta Air, LLC:  2008-2010
Account Administrator
  • Administrator for FAA Part 145 Repair Station (KO0R718X); Liaison for customer accounts, billing and communications 
  • Federal and State grant reporting/documentation, compliance and records. 
  • General administrative support of Part 121 Airline operations and business development of Part 145 Repair Station. 
  • Creation of Maintenance Services Website, Repair Station DVD/Video
  • Proposal writing/development, PowerPoint and print publication design, and oral presentations; Annual/quarterly budget and P/L reports for Kalitta Air CFO. 
  • Liaison for community outreach activities; IRESA Airframe & Powerplant program coordination; Kalitta News composition and editing.

Performing Arts

Theatre & Dance - Choreography, Direction, Technical Design & Performance (*selected shows) 
  • Honk, Jr. - Choreographer - **WCSPA** (Warren Consolidated School of Performing Arts)
  • Thoroughly Modern Millie - Choreographer - **WCSPA**
  • Peter Pan - Flight Choreographer, Marian-Rice Players
  • Chicago - Director/Choreographer - **WCSPA**
  • Peter Pan - Choreographer, Faeries Costume Design - **WCSPA**
  • Dora's Pirate Adventure: Dora Live! - Choreographer, Make-up Design, Public Relations - **WCSPA**
  • Winterfest: A Celebration of Dance - Director, Choreographer - **W.C.S.P.A., Annual Dance Concert (2010-2014)
  • Shrek - Choreographer - L'Anse Creuse North High School
  • Snoopy - Choreographer - **WCSPA**
  • Almost, Maine - Projection Design - **WCSPA**
  • Man of La Mancha - Choreographer, Make-up Design - **WCSPA**
  • The Music Man - Choreographer - L'Anse Creuse North High School
  • Aida - Choreographer - **WCSPA**
  • The Laramie Project - Projection and Media Design - 
           **WCSPA** Michigan Thespian Festival, Mainstage Tour/Talkback
  • Narnia the Musical - Choreographer, Public Relations - **WCSPA**
  • Les Miserables - Choreographer, Projections, PR - **WCSPA**
  • The Complete History of America (Abridged) - Director, Producer, Technical Designer - Tawas Bay Playhouse (TBP***)
  • Guys and Dolls - Choreographer, Lighting Designer, Adelaide - TBP***
  • Aida - Choreographer, Lighting Design, Master Electrician - TBP***
  • Cabaret - Choreographer, Sally Bowles - Shoreline Theater
  • Two By Two - Choreographer, Lighting Designer, Goldie - TBP***
  • Nunsense Jamboree - Choreographer, Lighting Designer - TBP***
  • All Shook Up - Choreographer - TBP***
  • The Butler Did It - Scenic Artist, Hair/Make-up Designer - TBP***
  • Over The Tavern - Sister Clarissa - TBP***
  • A Streetcar Named Desire - Director, Technical Designer - TTBP***
  • Beauty & The Beast - Choreographer, Master Electrician - TBP***
  • Home Is Where Your Clothes Are - Brenda - TBP***
  • Annie Get Your Gun - Choreographer, Annie Oakley - TBP***
  • Wizard of Oz - Choreographer - TBP***
  • Kiss Me Kate - Choreographer, Director, Technical Designer - LOHS* (Lake Orion High School)
  • Into the Woods - Choreographer, Director, Tech. Designer - LOHS*
  • The Odd Couple (Male and Female Versions) - Director, Tech. Designer- LOHS*
  • Spring Dance Concert - Choreographer, Director - *LOHS
  • Much Ado About Nothing (MIFA Regional Qual.) - Director - *LOHS
  • Crazy for You - Director/Choreographer, Technical Designer - *LOHS
  • Anything Goes - Choreographer, Director - *LOHS
  • Quilters - Choreographer, Director, Technical Designer - LOHS*
  • You Can’t Take It With You - Director, Technical Designer - LOHS*
  • Spring Dance Concert - Choreographer, Producer - Holland High School
  • Once Upon a Mattress (MIFA Superior Choreography Award) - Choreographer - Holland High School
  • Sea Glass - Director, Producer - Wharton PAC, Michigan State University
**Please Note: Further details and Theatre/Dance portfolio/resume, artifacts, media archives and letters of reference available upon request.

Portfolio Gallery

Slideshow Performance Photos from:  Chicago the Musical, Winterfest, Les Miserables, Aida, The Laramie Project, Almost Maine, As You Like It.  
Photos by Frank Lombardo, Further Video Highlights & Media Available on my YouTube Channel

Special Interests & Proficiencies

PictureFlight Practice (June Wygant), "Peter Pan", 2014, WCSPA.
Dance Technique: Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Modern/Contemporary, Broadway/Musical Theatre, Hip-Hop, Ballroom Styles, Ethnic and Folk/Period Dance Styles, Aerial Silks, Flight, Stage Combat, Dance Improvisation

Vocal / Instrumental Music - Instruction & Performance:  Piano, Flute, Guitar, Percussion and Vocal/Choral Music 

Technology Proficiencies:  MS Office Software, MS Publisher, FrontPage; Adobe Creative Suite: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Audition; Q-Lab, Paint Shop Pro, Paint, Web Publishing, Wikispaces, Digital Storytelling (Photostory), Mac and Windows Platforms, Google Docs/Drive, Camtasia/Screencasting, Podcast tools, Various others

Special Interests / Skills:  Language and Literacy, Music Composition, French Fluency, Accents, Improvisational Acting & Improv Comedy, Children's Theatre, Costume and Scenery Design, Drafting, Writing.

Awards & Honors

Graduated with Honors
  • Michigan State University, 1996 (Bachelor of Arts)
  • Michigan State University, 2014 (Master of Arts)

Tenure Granted
  • June 2002, Lake Orion Community Schools
  • May 2012, Warren Consolidated Schools
“Most Inspiring Staff Member” 
  • Lake Orion High School, 2001 & 2002

Superior Choreography & Direction 
  • Michigan Interscholastic Forensic Association
  • ASMSU Playwrighting Festival

Professional Development & Presentations

Michigan Arts Education Instruction and Assessment (MAEIA) Program - Michigan Department of Education
  • Selected as a Content Reviewer for Instruction and Assessments in Dance & Theatre
  • Program Information can be found: http://www.michiganassessmentconsortium.org/maeia
  • Serve on committee for three work days to edit and review content standards and assessments for Dance
  • Develop and implement assessments while tracking progress and implementation strategies for further analysis
  • MAEIA Brochure

Media Theatre Performance Laboratory - 2012, 2013

Digital Play in the Classroom - November 6, 2012 - Warren Consolidated Schools Professional Development Day
  • Presentation to Secondary Teachers regarding integrating technology in the classroom
  • Taught uses and strategies for Digital Storytelling in cross-curricular contexts
  • Practical application of session concepts and skills by teachers creating their own digital story
  • PhotoStory for Windows or Mac, iMovie, Adobe Premiere Elements overview included
  • Staff allowed to explore with guided instruction and question/answer as needed

Professional References

  • Mr. Jonathan Gillespie - Warren Consolidated School of Performing Arts, Artistic Director - gillespi@wcskids.net
  • Mr. Kevin Schneider - Holland High School Theatre - schnei55@gmail.com
  • Ms. Alison Dobbins - MSU Department of Theatre - acdobbins@gmail.com, dobbinsa@msu.edu            
  • Ms. Leslie Wilson - One-to-One, President - lesliew@1two1.org                
  • Mr. Vincent J. Weiler, Vice President, Community Theatre Association of Michigan - vweiler@ioscoresa.net              
  • Mr. Brett Saunders, Retired Radio Teacher, Lake Orion High School - gbrett@ameritech.net
  • Ms. Debbie Debois - Tawas Bay Players - debois@charter.net
*Further references and contact information available upon request

Master of Arts in Education Links