Teaching Philosophy As a teacher and facilitator I work with young people, college students and adults from all backgrounds to share the joy of creative collaboration and performance. Whether teaching a course, facilitating a workshop, or one-on-one coaching, I co-create liberated, accessible spaces that celebrate each individual's abilities and development goals.
I have a decade of experience teaching a wide range of skill levels and ages, including adults and youth with disabilities. In all of my work I center asset-based, culturally responsive and antiracist practices. My workshops and courses cover such topics as Acting, Devising, Directing, Playwriting, Movement, Puppetry, and more. I have taught in Upstate New York and nationally, including with the Hangar Theatre, Civic Ensemble, New Roots Charter School, Ithaca College, Cornell University, Emerson College, Sarah Lawrence College, ArtsEmerson, Wheelock Family Theatre and others. |
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Offerings
College I teach courses on acting, devising, directing, playwriting, movement, puppetry and more. I am currently an adjunct professor at Tompkins Cortland Community College and Elmira College and have been a guest artist at Ithaca College, Cornell University, Emerson College and Sarah Lawrence College.
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AdultsMy signature workshop, Artist Gym, brings together adults of all ages and backgrounds to explore and expand their creativity through collaborative exercises. I have facilitated Artist Gym across the country and can specifically design the workshop for professional development or conferences. I also offer one-off and multi-day skill building workshops.
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YouthI teach young people ages 5 to 18 in school, after-school and camp settings. My residencies combine acting, playwriting and improvisation to facilitate the students in creating original plays. I currently teach with New Roots Charter School, Civic Ensemble, and the Hangar Theatre.
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Testimonials from participants:
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"This was an amazing workshop!!! Sarah did an incredible job of seemingly effortlessly holding space for the participants and allowing for meaningful safe exploration of a difficult theme. I SO appreciated the movement work - this really allowed me to connect to other participants and enjoy creating something."
- Workshop participant |
"Beautiful facilitation by Sarah. Really nice flow of the day. Icebreaker games were helpful way to start, then by the end we had the safety to really delve into some heavier topics... I really feel like I’m going to take a lot of this back to life / relationships / workplace."
- Workshop participant |
Coaching
Personalized, flexible support for new play development, audition prep, character development, public speaking, and more.
Creative Coaching / DramaturgyI support playwrights and devisors at every step in the creative development process, from brainstorming to editing. I also offer advice on self-producing, including fundraising, casting, finding a venue, marketing, etc.
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ActingI offer guidance and feedback for actors working on a new role or preparing for an audition to help you enhance your acting skills, and deepen your expertise in script analysis and character development.
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Public SpeakingI provide personalized tools and activities to help you prepare for a presentation or develop confidence and ease in front of an audience.
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Testimonials from clients:
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"With exercises from her seemingly bottomless toolbox, Sarah created a space where I could be vulnerable. She helped me communicate my story with clarity by challenging me, encouraging me, and asking questions right to the heart of the matter. Her confidence in me and her trusting process showed me that I could trust myself and create work that I am proud of."
- Noa Shapiro-Tamir (Place-based performer) |
"I was feeling rusty and a bit stuck, and with Sarah's creative prompting in just a few sessions, the juices started flowing. She then worked with me through the entire process of creating my first ensemble sketch, even helping with casting and dramaturgy."
- JT Finn (Creator and Performer) |
"Partnering with Sarah has had a positive impact on our community in a number of ways. Our community members expressed countless times how much they loved having a space to be themselves, share experiences and connect to one another through drama, movement and discussion. This collaboration helped me understand how to encourage communication not just through speaking but through art, writing, movement and song."
Alex Lopinto, Program Director, Center for Special Needs, JCC Manhattan