#maatalumni

Since 2010, theatre and theatre-in-education company Making Books Sing has employed students and graduates of the M.A. in Applied Theatre.  M.A.-ers have worked to deliver existing programs and develop new programs, in Making Books Sing's Literature at Play residency program and the company's anti-bullying workshops, Alice's Story and Fair and Square.  For their work in Alice's Story,Liz Parker ('11) and Rachel Evans ('12) were featured on the cover of TIME For Kids in October 2012.

This fall, the Applied Theatre office worked with Making Books Sing to take a count of who's been involved.  We are proud to acknowledge 22 students and alumni:

New MBS employees:

Tessa Pantuso ('14)

Jane O'Leary ('15)

Michelle Payler ('15)

Jill Barry ('15)

Yvonne Roen ('14)

Christopher Johnston ('16)

  Current MBS employees:

Liz Parker ('11)

Rachel Evans ('13)

Shamilia McBean ('13)

Brisa Muñoz ('13)

Chelsea Hackett ('14)

Sara Hunter Orr ('13)

Claro de los Reyes ('13)

  Former MBS employees:

Ben Weber ('13)

Max Forman-Mullin ('12)

J'nelle Chelune ('11)

Leah Page ('13)

Ellen Brown ('13)

Amy Sawyers ('13)

Anneka Fagundes ('11)

Ria Cooper ('11)

Jenny Houseal ('11)

Kevin Ray ('11) and Liz Parker ('11) joined Lincoln Center Theater as teaching artists, growing their strong portfolios of work in the field.

Chelsea Hackett ('14) is getting her PhD at NYU on a full paid fellowship. She will be starting in January.

Suzu McConnell-Wood ('12) is now a music and drama teacher at The IDEAL School and Academy, an independent school with a social justice mission. Teaching all grades K-12. She has an amazing co-teacher (and American Idol top 10 finalist!) and she's excited to infuse more theatre into all curriculum subjects and call upon her IDC and TIE experience. She's really looking forward to directing devised musicals with both the 4th and 8th grades in the Spring and dusting off some Playbuilding, Co-intentional Directing and Group Theatre skills!

Heather Lanza ('14) is now Director of Education at Waterwell.

Michelle Payler ('15) began three new jobs this summer. She is now a New York Educator for Girls Leadership Institute, leading parent-daughter theatre based workshops on self advocacy, leadership, emotions, and communication; she is a theatre/dance teacher for various residences across the city in NY public schools for Marquis Studios; and she is an actor teacher with Making Books Sing.

This summer, Shawn Fisher ('16) and Nicole Serra ('16) conducted weekly forum theatre workshops with twelve men in a correctional facility in upstate New York.  Shawn writes about the experience:

“In here, going to a counselor is seen as weak.  This was a good place for us to open up with each other.”  Statement of a prisoner following a forum on inmate suicide. 

On August 25, the men played jokers and characters in two narratives they created: “Pressures of Prison” regarding inmate suicide and “Revolving Door” about challenges of reentry.  Attending were general population and prison administration, both groups extremely receptive to the work.  With a recent spike in suicide rates in NYS prisons, the director of programming elucidated her support: “We have to engage with population on the issue of inmate depression and suicide.  Your workshop presented us with a golden opportunity.”

And this September, Wil Fisher ('11) and Michael Wilson ('11) conducted a Man Question workshop with a group of twenty men at a maximum security correctional institution in Connecticut, hosted by prison librarian Mark Aldrich ('14).  Participants examined the impact of the expectations of mainstream masculinity on their ability to make work as artists and they worked together to create original pieces of theatre and poetry.

First year student Gia Harewood ('17) curated a mixed media exhibition in Washington, DC: Baggage Claim: Unpacking Immigrant Lives.  Follow the link to learn more about the project.

Olivia Harris ('14) is teaching a course at Drew University called Applied Theatre: Sexuality, Diversity, and Violence.  The course covers using theatrical techniques to address sexual violence on campus.

Marissa Metelica ('14) is  the Community Theater Coordinator with the YWCA for a new program that she will be developing with a staff of artists at a middle school in Brooklyn. The idea is to create collaborative performances with students, teachers and parents, which promote healthy community and violence prevention. 

Breaking NEWS.

These two just joined the ranks

Channie Waites – Actor/Teacher, Early Learning Program Rachel Castillo – Actor/Teacher, Early Learning Program – Astor Grant/Parent Workshops

The CUNY Creative Arts Team (CAT) is a nonprofit organization at The City University of New York that uses theatre as a medium to promote social, emotional, and intellectual growth in communities throughout New York City.  In 2008, CAT worked with CUNY to launch the CUNY SPS M.A. in Applied Theatre.  Learn more at www.creativeartsteam.org.

Since the M.A. program began, our students have worked closely with CAT.  This summer, students and alumni were particularly active. We are proud to announce CAT's new hires and promotions from our community:

Michael Curtin ('12) - Actor-Teacher for Adolescent Literacy Initiative

Dorcas Davis ('14) – Actor/Teacher, Early Learning Program – Astor Grant

Andre Dimapilis ('12) – Lead Actor/Teacher, Early Learning Program – Astor Grant

Nicolette Dixon ('13)– Actor/Teacher, Afterschool Adolescent Literacy Program

Stephanie Eiss ('15)- Administrative Assistant, Adolescent Literacy Initiative

Max Forman-Mullin ('12)- Actor-Teacher for Adolescent Literacy Initiative

Shamilia McBean ('13)- Actor/Teacher, Early Learning Program – Astor Grant

Brisa Munoz ('13) – Lead Actor/Teacher, Afterschool Adolescent Literacy Program

Alexis Nistico ('11)- Projects Director, Early Learning and Afterschool Programs

Joey Schultz ('12)- Associate Program Director, CAT Youth Theatre

Nicole Serra ('16) – Administrative Assistant, Early Learning and Afterschool Programs

And we don't forget that these four alumni continue their good work with the company:

Dianna Garten ('14), Development Assistant

Tessa Pantuso ('14), Administrative Assistant

Kevin Ray ('11), Assistant Director, CAT Youth Theatre

Yvonne Roen ('14), Marketed Services Associate

At the turn of the 18th century, America stood firmly on the backs of its slaves while Paris burned as its poorest citizens revolted against the aristocracy. Two worlds united by one electrifying score, MADAME INFAMY is the dark and moving tale of Marie Antoinette, last Queen of France, and Sally Hemings, slave and mistress of President Thomas Jefferson. Fighting hardship, scandal, and loss, each must find the strength to combat a nation in hopes of protecting the ones she loves.

The Orchard Project, the artistic retreat that housed the birth of the Tony Award-winning play All The Way, announced the residents of its 2014 summer session in The Catskills.

Congratulations to final year student Natalie Hirsch on her new job as Associate Artistic Director at the 52nd Street Project. She starts in June!

She is the new Program Associate for this wonderful program!

What is youTHink?

youTHink is an innovative education program of the Zimmer Children’s Museum. youTHink uses the power of art to foster critical thinking, engage diverse learners, promote literacy and serve as a tool for social change. youTHink’s School Services provide art/education lessons in California’s public schools along with professional development opportunities for teachers. Youth Services provide meaningful art, leadership and community involvement opportunities for middle and high school youth beyond the classroom.