Where are you from originally?
I was born in Moline, Illinois—not far from here actually. I grew up canoeing on the Hennepin Canal with my father and exploring Starved Rock. Since then, I have lived all over the place as I worked in the Theatre and got my degrees: Chicago, Boulder, Ohio, Boston, New Hampshire, and the list goes on…
Where did you attend college and what degree(s) do you hold?
I have a BFA in Acting from the Theatre School of DePaul University in Chicago, an MA in Intermodal Expressive Therapies/Counseling from Lesley University in Cambridge MA, and a PhD in Theatre from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.
What classes are you assigned?
I am the new Theatre person, currently teaching Intro to Theatre and the Play Production, soon hopefully to add Acting and a few other courses to that roster.
Where did you teach before IVCC?
I started teaching the day I complete my undergrad classes, as an Artist in Residence and Special Projects Artist for Urban Gateways of Chicago, an arts in education foundation. I worked with hundreds of other artists, and it was a wild, vibrant, wonderful experience. I initially took the gig as a means of avoiding waiting tables, but almost immediately fell in love with the teaching and learning process. Since then, I have been teaching in some form ever since. I have taught in several different college settings. Before coming to IVCC I was the Dean of Arts and Behavioral Sciences at Illinois central Community College in East Peoria, and just before that? I was the Chair of the Theatre program at Eastern Arizona College, in Thatcher, Arizona.
What are your initial impressions, not only of the students, but also the atmosphere at IVCC, and your fellow faculty and staff?
I am so happy to be back in the classroom and working at IVCC! Everyone here seems wicked friendly, and my students are pretty great. We are just getting started with productions with auditions this week, and I am looking forward to getting know the theatre folks!
What is your favorite aspect of IVCC?
The people….and I have to say, the campus is pretty darn lovely.
What is your favorite thing about the Illinois Valley area?
I will get back to you on that, I just bought my first house and am just moving into the area and learning my way around—though, I am an avid cyclist and I am looking forward to lots of country roads and what looks like a cool bike trail by the canal.
What should a student know about you?
So, this questionnaire catches me at a philosophical moment; but I love what I do—which is engaging in and teaching about the creative process. There’s room for everyone in the creative world. Creative choice is an act of forward thinking and positivity. Who cannot use a little hope now and then?
Why should students take your class?
Theatre and creativity connects to everything under the sun. It produces positive choice making and builds lifelong relationships.
What are the plans for the fall plays?
There are two. The first is “Bottoms on first.” It is a stage reading with a mix tape of Shakespear, Vuadville, wordplay, and SUPER silliness. It will include 7 IVCC students and will show during the week of October seventeenth.
The next play is called “Proof.” It is about a young girl who is dealing with the aftermath of the death of her genius father. This play will include three IVCC students and one community member. It will be shown during the week of November seventeenth.