Tucson AZ ,

http://sites.google.com/site/sarahksmithproject

Teaching Philosophy

The art of teaching, learning, and creating theatre are transformative. My learning and creative space will be a place for dialectic education, fostering open discussion, exploration of ideas, and collaboration.

Theatre education is the perfect subject for individual expression and collaborative learning. Above all, I want to empower student: to learn, to live, and to create freely.

As a teaching artist, I want students to learn about all the different facets of theatre: acting, analysis, improvisation, tech, design, devising, storytelling, playwrighting, social justice. By exploring all of these skills, students are able to identify their creative strengths.

I am passionate about many facets of the theatre. I also love other art forms, including visual, music, and media arts, and try to integrate them into all my work. I am also passionate about education. Combining my art form with teaching makes me a better artist and teacher and provides me with the tools to reach any student; so I am able to teach any subject, any population, in any setting. I want students to appreciate theatre and the arts and continue their inquiry into the world of possibilities that the arts can provide.

I hope to share my art with others in a way that is purposeful and meaningful to me and those I teach.

Education

Master of Arts
Theatre Education and Outreach
Thesis: “Exploring Personal Stories through
Performance”
University of Arizona - Tucson, AZ
Expected graduation date 2009

Bachelor of Arts
Theatre, Performance emphasis
University of Southern California - Los Angeles, CA
2002

Honors and Scholarships

Graduate Teaching Assistantship
University of Arizona 2007-2009

Graduate Tuition Scholarship
University of Arizona 2007-2009

Arizona Community Foundation General
Scholarship
University of Arizona 2007-2009

Graduate College Fellowship
University of Arizona 2008-2009

Medici Scholar College of Fine Arts
University of Arizona 2008-2009

Mary L. Ashton Scholarship
University of Arizona 2007-2008

Teaching Experience

University of Arizona
2007-present Tucson, AZ

Graduate Teaching Assistant

•Teaching Assistant for Theatre Appreciation, History of Theatre in the Americas, Improvisation, and Educational Drama Methods courses for undergraduate students
•Guide in class theatre and drama exercises
•Run discussion sections, write paper assignments, grade papers, and create course materials
•Lecture on diverse topics, including acting history & history of theatre for social justice

Changing the World Through Theatre: Theatre for Social Justice Workshop

•Exploring Social Issues through Boal’s Image Theatre and Improvisation
Sky Islands High School November 11, 2008 Tucson, AZ
Arizona State Thespian Festival November 21-22 2008 Phoenix, AZ

The Contemporary Nine Worthies of Love’s Labour’s
Lost Workshop

•Exploring Loves’s Labour’s Lost’s Historical, Biblical, and Mythological characters and the Nine Worthies Play within a Play

Arizona Repertory Theatre Adventure Matinee October 23, 2008 Tucson, AZ
Doolen Middle School October 17, 2008 Tucson, AZ

Arts @ Play - Chicago Park District
2007 Chicago, IL

Camp Counselor
•Counselor for interdisciplinary arts camp focused on theatre, modern dance, drumming, and visual art

Kaplan Test Prep
2006-2007 Chicago,IL

ACT Teacher
•Prepared lessons and taught ACT test preparation to high school students
•Graded ACT tests and essays

Redmoon Theatre - DramaGirls
2005 Chicago, IL

Mentor Artist
•Volunteer mentor artist for 4th-8th grade girls
•Assisted with creation of performance based on writing and art about their experiences
•Provided a supportive and safe environment for youth to grow and express themselves artistically

AmeriCorps VISTA
2003- 2004 Wheeling, IL

Program Coordinator
•Coordinator of tutoring and mentoring program for low-income middle & high school students
•Created academic and recreational activities
•Supervised and recruited staff, students, and volunteers
•Assisted with grant proposals and researched fundraising opportunities

Acting Experience

As a Stage Actor

"The Vagina Workshop” in Vagina Monologues at the University of Arizona
Marlene in Top Girls at the University of Arizona
Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the University of Arizona
Teacher in Tales from Middle School at Redmoon Theatre
Mary Jo in Emma’s Child at the Village Theatre Guild
Genie in Aladdin at the Windy City Players
Tricia in Five Women Wearing the Same Dress at Massman Theatre
Soldier in Sueño at Scene Dock Theatre
Cherie in Women Behind Bars at Massman Theatre
Bob Bob Jr in Seven Blowjobs at Massman Theatre
Annie Sullivan The Miracle Worker at WV Theatre
Vibrate in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at WV Theatre
Peter Pan in Tinkerbell at WV Theatre

As a Film Actor

Sarah and TwinThe Alpha Project with Split Pillow Productions
The Messiah in The Messiah with Rockpile Films
The Girlfriend in 300 lb Gorilla with Rockpile Films
Nurse in Home Movies with USC student films
Collen in The Traveler with USC student films

Directing Experience

Odyssey Storytelling
Break Ups and Break Downs

University of Arizona
Women in Heat
Playwright: Rich Orloff

WV Theatre
Trifles
Playwright: Susan Glaspell

Arts Administration Experience

Chicago Shakespeare Theater
2005 -2007 Chicago, IL

Education Associate 2006 –2007
•Coordinated teacher workshops and educational outreach programs
•Oversaw Team Shakespeare matinees of over 500 students and teachers
•Created teacher handbooks to help teachers bring Shakespeare into the classroom
•Managed Teacher Resource Center, a Shakespeare and theater education library

Finance Associate 2005 – 2006
•Tracked production and business expenses
•Merchandise buyer for theater’s bookshop
•Wrote BOD Committee meeting minutes and correspondence to board members
•Administrator for corporate credit cards and merchant credit card accounts

Jam Theatricals
2004 –2005 Chicago, IL

Intern
•Intern for theatre producer and promoter
•Researched potential markets, venues, and shows
•Updated offers to agents, create financial settlements and price and performance schedules

Talent Entertainment Group
2001-2002 Los Angeles, CA

Intern
•Intern for a literary talent manager
•Created press packets for clients
•Read submitted scripts and maintained library database of scripts

Community Service Experience

Odyssey Storytelling
2008-present Tucson, AZ

•"Breakups and Breakdowns” January 29, 2009
Host and organizer for storytelling event at Club Congress
•Assistant at storytelling events

Southern Arizona Acting Festival
2008 Tucson, AZ

•Judge for High School Theatre Festival

University of Southern California Midwest Alumni Club 2003 – Present Chicago, IL

•Conduct admissions interviews with potential students
•Represent USC at college fairs, informational sessions, and orientations
•Co-Chair Special Events Committee, Notre Dame Weekender 2003
•Assisted with planning events for their largest fundraiser, including a cocktail party at Burberry featuring USC President Stephen Samples and a tour of the Chicago Board of Trade

Driving Votes
2004 Chicago, IL

•During Presidential election, traveled to Cleveland to increase voter turn out in a swing state
•Canvassed door to door and at bars to register young voters and get them to the polls

University Service Experience

Graduate and Professional Student Council
2008-present University of Arizona

•Representative for College of Fine Arts
•Serve on Internal Policy Committee and External Graduate Council Committee

School of Theatre Transformation Committee
2008 University of Arizona
•Graduate Student representative

Educational Dramaturgy

University of Arizona

Love’s Labour’s Lost
Cowrote Study Guide

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

The Taming of the Shrew
Cowrote Teacher Handbook

Troilus and Cressida
Cowrote Teacher Handbook

References

Dr. Bobbi McKean
Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, University of Arizona

Dr. Laura McCammon
Professor, University of Arizona

Geoff Barr
Director of Finance & Administration, Writer’s Theatre