Paying It Forward...
During my time as both an artist and student, I have always thanked the great teachers I had for their commitment and their selflessness. I still have great admiration for the teachers and mentors who were open to my questions, supportive of me when I didn't believe in my skills, and who would continue to push me forward by showing me what the next steps could be. With that same spirit, I strive to give back to the next generation of creators in any way I can.
For 6 summers, I worked as a camp counselor for several different programs in Florida, Alabama and Maine. Each year, I was not only able to help teach performance concepts to campers ages 5 to 18, but I was also able to learn what teaching style best works for me. Even in programs where I was only given a week with one particular group of campers, I always wanted them to feel comfortable working with me so that they could actually enjoy the final product they would create. Some of my favorite highlights include creating an abridged version of Much Ado About Nothing with five different age groups at Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and guiding the program of high schoolers at Hidden Valley Camp as they created an original, ensemble-driven piece of theater to present to the rest of camp after four weeks of development.
Besides teaching what I know best to those around me, I am also a passionate student myself. I continue to research and hone skills whenever I can, and I try to develop those special interests into activities or ideas that I can (hopefully) add to my subject list. Most recently, I have been learning more techniques for performing on aerial silks, and I have learned the basics of walking on flat-foot stilts.
I have found that the best way to approach teaching is to keep as much of an open mind as (hopefully) my students have. Whether the subject is on performing poetry, understanding Shakespeare, or fun facts about aquarium animals, I love to be able to absorb new information and then continue to pass it on to others. Working for The Florida Aquarium gave me the wonderful opportunity to find ways to communicate with guests through the entertainment we provided while also educating them at the same time. It is with this concept of 'edutainment' that I hope to create content on social media, including places like YouTube and TikTok. Whether it comes in the form of scripted videos, monologues, spur of the moment essays, or digital guides (like my Florida Aquarium Plarn Tutorial down below!), I want to find more ways to create engaging and understandable content.
I believe that being able to create art is an extraordinary gift that we have, and I strive to make the most of it by better educating the audiences who come to witness it.
