I am a theatre educator, facilitator, deviser, director, playwright, puppeteer, improvisor, clown, and mask maker. Currently, I am an Assistant Professor and Program Head of the Bachelor of Arts- Theatre Arts with Teaching Certification program at the University of Texas at Arlington.
I’m a dual-citizen to Canada and the US. I grew my career in Canada, writing and touring solo shows regarding social and political issues, and co-creating feminist theatre productions. Aside from being a road warrior on the Canadian Fringe Festival Circuit, my shows have been produced by various theatre companies in Alberta. As an improvisor, I was a company member with Loose Moose Theatre, frequently directing their Kid’s season. As a mask maker, I have supplied masks (Commedia & Emotional) internationally for theatre troupes, High Schools, and Universities.
As a theatre educator, I taught at the University of Windsor, Mount Royal University, Red Deer University, Ambrose University, and Rosebud School of the Arts. My courses included Drama in Education, Applied Theatre, Theatre for Social Action, Improvisation, Theatre for Young Audiences, Clown, and Movement. As well, I have taught numerous workshops for community theatres, High School arts programs, and theatre festivals.
As an Applied Theatre practitioner, I have worked extensively as an artist-in residence, creating original plays with children and youth in educational and community settings. Highlights include creating physical theatre plays with Trickster Theatre and bringing children’s storybooks to life with Quest Theatre. I worked for over a decade simulating real life medical situations with Medical Skills Centre, University of Calgary. As a clown, I attended expeditions to South Africa, performing and leading workshops with the international humanitarian organization, Clowns Without Borders. I was part of a national museum tour with Journey of a Lifetime, a performance (both in French and English) representing the stories of Canada’s early immigrants. I started a chapter of The Shoe Project in southern Ontario, collaborating with Windsor Women Working with Immigrant Woman and performance coaching women in telling their stories of immigration to Canada. I also collaborated with Community Living Windsor to create a devised performance with actor-creators with intellectual disabilities.
I holds an MFA in Ensemble-Based Physical Theatre from the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre, a BEd in Fine Arts from the University of Calgary, and a BFA in Dramatic Arts from the University of Lethbridge.