Note: Extended academic and theatrical curriculum vitae also available. Just e-mail me!
Education
Nov. 2015 PhD: Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies, University of Toronto
Nov. 2003 MA: Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies, University of Toronto
May 2000 Interdisciplinary BA in English Literature and Theatre: Reed College
Certifications
June 2009 THE500: Teaching in Higher Education: University of Toronto
Aug. 2000 Independent Schools Teacher Certification in English and Drama: BC Ministry of Education, Office of the Inspector of Independent Schools
July 2000 English-Language Instruction Certification: Berlitz Canada
Leadership & Administrative Experience
Jan. 2018 – Present CUPE 3902
Grievance Officer
- Meet regularly with Local’s staff, Employer, and members to discuss current and potential grievances
- Organize policy grievance campaigns, coordinating with Stewards’ Council and other bodies
- Schedule and chair Grievance Committee meetings
- Overhauled structure of Grievance Committee to expand political role and adopt organizing approach to grievances
- Devised and instituted more efficient honoraria payment system for Divisional Stewards
- Supervised and assisted with implementation of new method of storing and organizing Grievance Committee minutes and agendas online
- Ran for position midterm when previous incumbent resigned
May 2017 – Jan. 2018 CUPE 3902 (Unit 3)
Chair of Bargaining Support Committee (BSC)
- Acted as the “voice” of the BSC, through our official email account, meetings, etc.
- Spearheaded the organization of information sessions and the Unit 3 Bargaining Team blog
- Helped to coordinate various creative campaigns (via posters, social media, etc.)
- Ensured strong turnouts for both meetings and votes (via postering, phonebanking, and doorknocking)
- Scheduled and chaired BSC meetings
Nov. 2014 – Nov. 2017 Ontario Puppetry Association (OPA)
President
- Scheduled and chaired Board and Annual General Meetings
- Took lead role in shaping OPA vision and policy
- Coordinated with other Board members on larger projects
- Collaborated with other puppet artists and related communities (e.g. Day of Puppetry at Lillian H. Smith Branch of Toronto Public Library)
Nov. 2010 – Nov. 2014 OPA
Vice President
- Assisted President (Mike Harding) with various projects: e.g. Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant applications
- Contributed to continuing revitalization of organization (new events, member companies, collaborative ventures, etc.)
- Wrote articles for OPAL (Ontario Puppetry Association Newsletter)
Nov. 2009 – Nov. 2010 OPA
Membership Coordinator
- Maintained membership database
- Communicated regularly with members regarding various concerns and questions
- Facilitated online meetings (Board members located across Ontario)
Nov. 2006 – Nov. 2016 OPA
Member of the Board of Trustees
- Collaborated with other Board members on various projects (e.g. OPA-sponsored performers’ lounge at Puppets Up! International Puppet Festival in Almonte, ON)
Sept. 2003 – Present Bricoteer Experiments Theatre
Cofounder, Co-Artistic Director, Webmaster
- Wrote, directed, designed, edited, and/or performed in 22 theatre & film productions
- Organized and taught various workshops
- Organized and managed 3 festival-conferences
- Designed, implemented, and administered company website and social media presence
- Planned meetings, completed and submitted proposals, balanced budget
Teaching, Training, & Research Experience
May 2016 – May 2017 University of Toronto Scarborough: Department of Arts, Culture and Media
Sessional Lecturer
- Designed curricula, instructional materials, and lesson plans for two courses on media studies and technology
- Designed and maintained course websites
- Prepared and delivered presentations using both technological aids (e.g. PowerPoint) and traditional performance techniques
- Provided individual and group coaching and counselling to maximize student potential
- Collaborated with staff and faculty on larger projects
Sept. 2004 – May 2018 University of Toronto (Mississauga and St. George campuses): St. Michael’s College (Book and Media Studies); Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology; Department of English
Teaching Assistant
- Prepared and delivered several lectures in absence of professors
- Prepared and led weekly tutorials for courses on popular culture, media, communications, and children’s literature
- Evaluated performance of students and assisted in development of means of evaluation
- Maintained course websites
- Provided individual and group coaching and counselling to maximize student potential
- Collaborated with staff and faculty on larger projects
Sept. 2015 – June 2016 Excel Learning Centre
Tutor (elementary and secondary levels)
- Designed curricula, instructional materials, and lesson plans for individual and small-group tutoring sessions (remedial and advanced) in English, History, Science, Math, etc.
July 2015 – Jan. 2016 Tutor Doctor
Tutor (elementary, secondary, and post-secondary levels)
- Designed curricula, instructional materials, and lesson plans for individual at-home tutoring sessions (remedial and advanced) in English, History, Science, Math, etc.
Sept. 2014 – May 2015 Brock University
Centre for Studies in Arts and Culture
Course Instructor
- Designed curricula, instructional materials, and lesson plans for two courses on arts criticism and interpretation
- Designed and maintained course websites
- Prepared and delivered presentations using both technological aids (e.g. PowerPoint) and traditional performance techniques
- Provided individual and group coaching and counselling to maximize student potential
- Collaborated with staff and faculty on larger projects
Sept. 2012 – May 2013 Brock University
Department of Dramatic Arts
Course Instructor
- Designed curricula, instructional materials, and lesson plans for course on history of theatre and drama
- Liaised with teaching assistants to ensure that they were prepared
- Designed and maintained course websites
- Prepared and delivered presentations using both technological aids (e.g. PowerPoint) and traditional performance techniques
- Provided individual and group coaching and counselling to maximize student potential
- Collaborated with staff and faculty on larger projects
Sept. 2007 – Jan. 2008 University of Windsor
School of Dramatic Art
Course Instructor
- Designed curricula, instructional materials, and lesson plans for distance-education courses on history of theatre and drama, theatre criticism, and theatre and technology in education
- Liaised with teaching assistant to ensure that she was prepared
- Designed and maintained course websites
- Prepared and delivered presentations for online delivery: group and one-on-one courses
- Provided individual and group coaching and counselling to maximize student potential
- Collaborated with staff and faculty on larger projects
Sept. 2005 – Sept. 2007 University of Toronto
Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies
Research Assistant for Stephen Johnson
- Collected, organized, and analyzed data related to 19th-cent. blackface minstrelsy in Britain
Apr. 2003 – Aug. 2003 University of Toronto
Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies
Research Assistant for Bruce Barton
- Conducted library research on theatre in Atlantic Canada
- Transcribed interviews with Atlantic Canadian theatre artists
Sept. 2000 – June 2002 Notre Dame Regional Secondary School
Teacher
- Designed curricula, instructional materials, and lesson plans for classes: English 9, Drama 9, Drama 10, Journalism/Media 12 (initiated and developed course), Stagecraft 11/12
- Established school newspaper Juggler Power; edited, supervised, and evaluated student contributions
- Designed sets and special effects for school productions; supervised and evaluated student stage crew
- 2001 Air Canada High School Theatre Festival: Best Production (for Godspell)
- Set Designer (won Best Set Design)
- Stage Crew Supervisor (won Best Backstage Crew)
- Partially responsible for Lighting Design (shared Best Lighting Design)
July – Aug. 2000 Berlitz Canada
English-Language Teacher
- Prepared and delivered lessons for students learning English as an additional language: group and one-on-one sessions
- Tailored instructional materials for variety of learners: students, executives, etc.
Skills
Languages
- Working knowledge of spoken and written French
- Basic knowledge of spoken and written Russian
Computer Skills
- Very familiar with Internet and telnet research on Mac and Windows platforms
- Experienced with popular Microsoft programs (e.g. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) on Mac and Windows platforms
- Experienced with some website applications and platforms: e.g. iWeb, WordPress, Sakai, and Blackboard
- Working knowledge of Audacity (audio editor), Claris CAD, and Adobe Photoshop
