Director of Development. Amplify Equity. 2023-present.

Founder / Director of Shakespeare in Prison (Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company / Detroit Public Theatre). 2012-2023.

Director of Programs. Detroit Public Theatre. 2015-2017.

Director of Education & Development. Shakespeare Royal Oak/Water Works Theatre Company. 2012-13; 2015-2017.

Co-Founder / Artistic Director. Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company. 2008-2015.

“Impacts + Outcomes: Assessing a Shakespeare Prison Arts Program.” Shakespeare Association of America Conference. Minneapolis, MN. 2023.

"Editors and an Edition." Shakespearean Theatre Conference. Stratford, Ontario. 2022.

"Shakespeare in Prison at Detroit Public Theatre." Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of America Conference. Virtual. 2022.

"Literature Beyond Bars." Northeast Modern Language Association Convention. Baltimore, Maryland. 2022.

"Shakespeare in Prison: Process + Outcomes." Detroit Public Theatre. Virtual. 2022.

"Applied Shakespeare in the Criminal Justice System." Shakespeare Beyond Borders Alliance. Virtual. 2021.

"RICHARD III—IN PRISON: A Critical Edition." Wooden O Symposium. Virtual. 2021.

"RICHARD III—IN PRISON: A Critical Edition." International Shakespeare in Prisons Conference. Virtual. 2020/21.

"Shakespeare in Prison: the What, the Why, and the How." International Correctional Education Association Conference. Detroit, Michigan. 2019.

"Promethea Bound." Theater of War. Wharton Center. East Lansing, Michigan. 2019.

"Shakespeare in Prison." Workshop. Eastern Michigan University. Ypsilanti, Michigan. 2018.

"Shakespeare in Prison." Lecture. Bowling Green University. Bowling Green, Ohio. 2018.

"Prison Arts: Personal Empowerment, Social Transformation." Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed conference. Detroit, Michigan. 2017.

"Rethinking Justice." Art X Detroit: Kresge Arts Experience. Detroit, Michigan. 2015.

"Shakespeare in Prison and Human Rights." Human Rights Through Education conference; University of Michigan. Ann Arbor, Michigan. 2013.

"Punishment Interrupted: Prison Arts as Critical Sites for Women's Activism Behind Bars" panelist. Shakespeare in Prisons Conference; University of Notre Dame. Notre Dame, Indiana. 2013.

BOOKS & JOURNALS

“Michael Chekhov Technique as a Trauma-responsive Practice in Shakespeare in Prison,” Shakespeare in the Age of Mass Incarceration, Routledge, 2024 (anticipated)

"Mind the Gap: Working Across Lines of Difference in Carceral Shakespeare," Shakespeare and Social Engagement, Berghahn Books, August 2023. With Kate Powers.

"Shakespeare in Prison," Detroit Research, Vol. 3. 2022

RESEARCH & EVALUATION

"Self-Efficacy, Empathy, and Community: the long-term benefits of Shakespeare in Prison involvement," Shakespeare in Prison, 2021. With Kyle Fisher-Grant and Matthew Van Meter.

"Shakespeare in Prison Case Study Report." Shakespeare in Prison, 2019. With Kyle Fisher-Grant and Matthew Van Meter.

Cavanagh, Sheila T. Multisensory Shakespeare and Specialized Communities. Arden. 2024

Mackenzie, Rowan. Creating Space for Shakespeare with Marginalised Communities. Arden, 2023

Lucas, Ashley. Prison Theatre and the Global Crisis of Incarceration. Methuen, 2021

Dreier, Jenna. "Decolonising pedagogies in prison performance programmes: making Shakespeare secondary." Research in Drama Education: The Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance. Routledge. 2021

Blashek, Jordan, and Haugh, Christopher. Union: A Democrat, a Republican, and a Search for Common Ground. Little, Brown. 2020

International Shakespeare in Prisons Network

Art + Justice National Collective

Statewide Michigan Dept. of Corrections Offender Success Reentry Advisory Council

ArtSpace in Detroit Core Influencer Group (2022-23)

B&C Productions (Treasurer)

Folger Shakespeare Library, "Your Imprisonment Shall Not Be Long." Shakespeare Unlimited Podcast, April 27, 2021

Dickson, James, "Shakespeare in Prison teaches inmates 'radical empathy.'" Detroit News, January 6, 2020

Smith, Devon, "A Role for Theatre in Criminal Justice?" American Theatre, January 22, 2019

Mejia, Mercedes, "Women bring Macbeth to life in Shakespeare prison program." Michigan Radio, June 12, 2018

Yolles, Julie, “Divine Theater Secrets of the Mama Sisterhood.” SEEN Magazine, May 3, 2019.

Albom, Mitch, "Heart of Detroit: Shakespeare in Prison empowers inmates," Channel 4 WDIV, Detroit, MI, June 24, 2016

McKee, Jenn, "For female prisoners, Shakespeare in Prison is liberating." Detroit Free Press. June 16. 2016

Wayne State University. Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre/Acting; 2006. Honors: Summa Cum Laude, Lily Tomlin Endowed Scholarship, Leonard & Mary Zudick Endowed Scholarship.

Michael Chekhov Association (New York City). Master Class: Lenard Petit; 2011. The Michael Chekhov Technique in Rehearsal.

Professional Development MiniGrant. Michigan Arts & Culture Council. 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023.

Creators of Culture grant. Culturesource. 2020.

Pulsar Award: Best Play (A Painted Window; Williamston Theatre). 2017.

Wilde Award nomination: Best Play (Sex With Strangers; Detroit Public Theatre). 2016.

Wilde Award: Best of the Bard (King Lear; Shakespeare in Detroit). 2015.

Wilde Award: Critics' Choice "for tireless work on behalf of the local theater community." 2013.

CBS Detroit: one of 5 Best Directors In The Local Theater Scene In Detroit. 2013.

Arts Achievement Award; Wayne State University College of Fine, Performing, and Communication Arts (MGT) 2012.

Rogue Critic Gallery winner: Sound Design (La Ronde; The Abreact) 2011.

I Hate Hamlet. Paul Rudnick. Wayne State University. 2024.

The Taming. Lauren Gunderson. Open Book Theatre. 2022.

Othello. William Shakespeare. Shakespeare Royal Oak. 2019.

The Impossibility of Now. Y York. Tipping Point Theatre. 2018. (Michigan premiere)

Out of Orbit. Jennifer Maisel. Williamston Theatre. 2018. (world premiere)

Young Americans. David Wells. Tipping Point Theatre. 2017. (world premiere)

A Painted Window. Christy Hall. Williamston Theatre. 2017. (world premiere)

Sex With Strangers. Laura Eason. Detroit Public Theatre. 2016. ("Best Play" Wilde Award nomination)

King Lear. William Shakespeare. Shakespeare in Detroit. 2015. ("Best of the Bard" Wilde Award)

Love is Strange. Sean Paraventi. Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company. 2014. (world premiere)

The Maids. Jean Genet. Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company. 2013.

Soul Mates. Kirsten Knisely. Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company. 2013. (world premiere)

Burn the Red Banner: Or, Let the Rebels Have Their Fun. Franco Vitella. The Abreact. 2012. (world premiere)

Rosmersholm. Henrik Ibsen. Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company. 2011.

Last of the Boys. Steven Dietz. Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company. 2011.

La Ronde. Arthur Schnitzler. The Abreact. 2011.

Play It Again, Sam. Woody Allen. Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company. 2010.

The Commedia Tales of King Arthur. Lane Riosley. Water Works Theatre Company. 2010.

The Hebrew Hammer. Jonathan Kesselman. Planet Ant Theatre. 2009.

Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead. Bert V. Royal. Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company. 2009.

The Last Five Years. Jason Robert Brown. Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company. 2009.

A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, and A Prayer. Multiple authors. Until the Violence Stops. 2009.

Any One of Us: Words From Prison. Multiple authors. Until the Violence Stops. 2009.

No Exit. Jean Paul Sartre. Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company. 2008.

The Vagina Monologues. Eve Ensler. Until the Violence Stops. 2008.

From Hoteping to Birthing. Harlem9 + Detroit Public Theatre. 2022.

Out of Orbit. Williamston Theatre. 2016.

Substitute "X" for "Danger". BoxFest Detroit. 2016.

Off Center. Tipping Point Theatre. 2016.

"Gypsy" Rhymes With "Danger". BoxFest Detroit. 2015

A Barren Man. Jewish Ensemble Theatre. 2012

Upon the Heath. BoxFest Detroit. 2010

To Life! Jewish Ensemble Theatre. 2010

The Russian Plays. Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company. 2010

Speed Dating! BoxFest Detroit. 2009

To Dog. Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company. 2009

Days of Awe. Jewish Ensemble Theatre. 2008

Brights Brighter. BoxFest Detroit. 2008

Hamlet. Shakespeare Royal Oak/Water Works Theatre Company. 2017.

The Tempest. Shakespeare Royal Oak/Water Works Theatre Company. 2016.

Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare Royal Oak/Water Works Theatre Company. 2015.

The Very Last Green Thing. Cary John Franklin. Michigan Opera Theatre Children's Chorus. 2010.

Brundibar. Michigan Opera Theatre Children's Chorus. 2009. (assistant director)

Uncle Vanya. Anton Chekhov. The Roeper School. 2007.

Romeo and Juliet. The Roeper School. 2006.

How I Learned to Drive. Paula Vogel. Open Book Theatre. 2023.

Too Heavy for Your Pocket. Jireh Breon Holder. Open Book Theatre Company. 2022.

The Harassment of Iris Malloy. Zak Berkman. Detroit Public Theatre. 2017.

Dot. Colman Domingo. Detroit Public Theatre. 2016.

King Lear. Shakespeare in Detroit. 2015.

Rapture, Blister, Burn. Gina Gionfriddo. Matrix Theatre Company. 2014.

Burn the Red Banner: Or, Let the Rebels Have Their Fun. Franco Vitella. The Abreact. 2012.

La Ronde. Arthur Schnitzler. The Abreact. 2011. (Rogue Critic Gallery winner: Sound Design)

Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company. Numerous productions. 2008-2014.

Juggler/Entertainer. Independent; Delirio del’Arte. 2022-present.

Fixing Bob (The Kitchen Plays) Metro Detroit Playwrights’ Group. 2013.

Fanny Packs and Hanky Codes: Melissa. Ringwald Theatre Gay Play Series. 2013.

The Current: Madame Camille Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company. 2010.

Company Member. Brainstomers! 2010.

Dutchman: Lula. Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company. 2009.

I Was Just Kidding: Sherry. Jewish Ensemble Theatre (educational outreach). 2006-2007.

I can juggle. I can tap dance. I can juggle and tap dance AT THE SAME TIME.

Lead Collaborator on RICHARD III—IN PRISON: A Critical Edition. Shakespeare in Prison/Detroit Public Theatre. (seeking a publisher)

Mentor for Traverse City Young Playwrights Festival. City Opera House / Wharton Center. 2019, 2021, 2022.

Co-Creator of Sic Semper Trilogy: A Travesty of Ahistoric Proportions; In Three Parts,. Staged as part of BoxFest Detroit from 2015-18.

Cultural Consultant: Beau Jest. Williamston Theatre. 2017.

Mentor. Statera Foundation. 2016-2017.

Various positions, including Co-Director, Choreographer, Dialect/Accent Coach. Royal Oak High School Drama Club. 2008 – 2014.

First Stage Teaching Artist. Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit. 2012-2013.

Choreographer: The Wizard of Oz. Novi Civic Theatre. 2013.

Teaching Artist: Dance, Modern Drama. Shakespeare Royal Oak/Water Works Theatre Company. 2008-2011.

Teaching Artist: Being Onstage. Matrix Theatre Company. 2011.

Choreographer: The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Shakespeare Royal Oak/Water Works Theatre Company. 2010.

Teaching Artist: Acting classes. Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit (Oak Park). 2010.

Teaching Artist: Backstage in Wonderland (theatre day camp). Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit (West Bloomfield). 2009.

Choreographer: Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare Royal Oak/Water Works Theatre Company. 2008.

Teaching Artist: Dance; Te’atron (theatre day camp). Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit (West Bloomfield). 2006-2007.

Founder + Director of Shakespeare in Prison (SIP)

• Founded SIP with an ensemble of incarcerated women; grew SIP from a $0 budget in 2012 to a $121,000 budget in 2023.

• Collaborate with SIP members to develop the program's goals, structure, culture, and best practices. This included the development of a post-release program for SIP alumni.

• Oversee and implement programs at two adult prisons, several youth facilities, and various projects with SIP alumni post-release.

• Hire, train, and supervise staff, as well as students and interns, on-site and in the office.

• Spearhead efforts (including funding) to engage justice-impacted individuals and criminal justice reform/advocacy organizations in targeted programming.

• Co-authored a case study that identified SIP's primary outcome: the positive development of each participant's narrative identity.

  • Continue to work with SIP staff on refining data collection and self-study methods; became recognized in the arts-in-corrections field as being a leader in this area.

• Present at conferences and network extensively with prison arts practitioners, criminal justice reform advocates and professionals, and academics.

• Develop and manage SIP's strategic plan and budget.

• Manage complex projects including the development of a book (under review by a publisher) and collaboration with UofM's Prison Creative Arts Project.

• Regularly featured in the media.

• Directed numerous plays for many of Southeast Michigan’s professional theatres.

• Performed in productions and touring school shows.

• Taught workshops and classes in a variety of acting techniques.

• Designed sound for a number of productions at Southeast Michigan theatres.

• Juggling! And tap dancing! At the same time!

• Co-founded and led a small nonprofit theatre; at one time or another, managed all of the organization’s administrative needs including communication, marketing and PR, scheduling, bookkeeping, staffing, etc.

• Adept with CRMs and databases.

• Experience with graphic design and video editing.

• Experience planning and executing a variety of festivals and events.

• Writing, editing, and tracking compelling grant proposals.

• Composing and designing fundraising appeals and e-blasts.

• Researching funding opportunities, trends in philanthropy, etc.

• Managing and/or assisting with fundraising events.

• Cultivating warm relationships with individual donors and institutional funders.