TEACHING STATEMENT
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Workshops
Telling Our Stories: The 2023 SIU Conference on Women, Carbondale, IL, (2023)
Virtual zoom workshop titled, “Staging Your Story: An Autobiographical Playwriting Workshop.”
Advocates and Allies: The 2022 SIU Conference on Women, Carbondale, IL, (2022)
Virtual zoom workshop titled, “Creative Care for Activists: A Reflective and Rejuvenating Journaling Workshop.”
Education and Empowerment: The 2021 SIU Conference on Women, Carbondale, IL (2021)
Virtual zoom workshop titled, “Plays Inspired from History: Discussion and Workshop.”
University of San Agustin, Iloilo City District Jail Female Dormitory, Iloilo City, Philippines (2020)
Co-facilitated a poetry therapy writing workshop led by Rosalie Zerrudo.
Bethany Arts Community, Bethany, NY (2019)
Facilitated a mask making demonstration and workshop for adults.
East Hawaii Cultural Center, Hilo, HI (2019)
Facilitated a week-long parade puppetry construction workshop open to the community in collaboration with Full Life Hawaii, an organization that supports folks with developmental disabilities, and part of The Live Aloha Festival. Project culminated in a “Puppets for Peace Parade” around Hilo.
Hilo Public Library, Hilo, HI (2019)
Facilitated a paper sculpture techniques class and puppetry workshop.
Backstreet Arts, Newnan, GA (2019)
Facilitated an adult mixed-media visual art class, at a community arts center catered to veterans, homeless folks, and low-income folks.
Newnan Public Library, Newnan, GA (2019)
Taught a family puppetry workshop, while an artist-in-residence at Newnan Artrez.
University of California at Davis, Davis, CA (2018)
While a visiting writer, co-facilitated with Ian August, a playwriting workshop for university students centered on Aristotle’s Poetics and elements of theatre.
Surel’s Place, Boise, ID (2018)
Facilitated an adult playwriting workshop titled, “Writing the 10 Minute Play.”
Bluestockings Bookstore and Activist Center, NYC, NY (2015)
Co-facilitated with Irene Kapustina and Heidi Chua. Discussed NYC Fringe Show “Poor People,” read excerpts from the play, answered a Q&A, and did Theatre of the Oppressed activities around the social justice themes of the novel, to explore contemporary issues, such as workers rights and poverty in NYC. Heidi Chua discussed contemporary workers’ issues in NYC.
Enigmatic Treehouse and Eco-lodge, Camiguin, Philippines (2014)
Created parade puppets, taught a playwriting workshop, and assisted with the drama production at a local arts summer camp for elementary to middle-school aged students. The camp was centered around ecological issues concerning the island. Assisted and observed the local artists who ran the camp, led by Rosalie Zerrudo.
Daurma Eco-Farm, Bang Phra, Thailand (2014)
Devised original theatre and created puppetry from found materials with elementary students at a permaculture farm school.
Classes
Hendrix College, Assistant Professor and Murphy Fellow in Theatre, Conway, AR (2022-Present)
Beginning Acting (Spring 2023)
Plays Inspired by History (Spring 2023)
Sketch Comedy and Improv (Fall 2023)
Beginning Playwriting (Spring 2023, Fall 2023)
Craft of Playwriting (Spring 2023)
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Theatre Instructor, Carbondale, IL (2019-2022)
Writing for the Screen and Stage (Spring 2022)
Freshman Theatre Seminar (Fall 2019, Fall 2020, Fall 2021) (In-person, Hybrid)
Theatre Insight (Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Summer 2021, Fall 2021) (In-person, Online)
Salina Art Center, Salina, KS (2019-2021)
Taught preschool-elementary puppetry classes, while artist-in-residence.
Lawrence Arts Center, Lawrence, KS (2018-2021)
Taught preschool-elementary theatre and visual art classes, including a Guerrilla arts or street art camp.
Trinity Church Wall Street, NYC, NY (2015-2020)
Taught preschool-high school theatre, puppetry, storytelling, costume construction, comedy writing, and upcycling. During school year taught Sunday school. In the summer, worked in various themed summer camps.
ArtsConnection, NYC, NY (2016-2018)
Taught theatre, visual art, and puppetry to elementary-middle school students.
Saint David’s School, NYC, NY (2016-2018)
Taught preschool-elementary theatre and art after school classes, including improvisational acting, puppetry, and ceramics. Was also a substitute teacher.
ProjectArt, NYC, NY (2016-2017)
Taught preschool-middle school visual art classes including painting, printmaking, mixed media, and sculpture.
Children’s Arts Guild, NYC, NY (2015-2016)
Taught preschool-middle school students. Taught visual art and theatre classes including painting, printmaking, mixed media, and sculpture.
Writers’ Theatre of New Jersey, Madison, NJ (2012-2014)
Taught playwriting to elementary age students. Culminated in a reading of students 10-minute plays by professional adult actors.
Tykes in the Heights Art Studio, NYC, NY (2014-2015)
Taught Montessori based preschool-elementary puppetry construction and puppeteering, mask construction, creative movement, pop-up book construction, and visual art including painting, drawing, printmaking, and sculpture.
Hands On! A Musical Experience, NYC, NY (2014-2015)
Taught Montessori based preschool visual art class including painting, drawing, printmaking, and sculpture.
Camp B’Yachad, Milford, PA (2013)
Taught creative writing to middle school-highschool students at a week long camp centered on Russian, Jewish heritage. Devised a comedic ghost story one-act to perform for the end of camp celebration.
Newark Collegiate Academy, Newark, NJ (2013)
Semester-long substitute high school theatre teacher for teacher on maternity leave. Devised one acts with students. Taught Romeo and Juliet and created devised movement pieces based on text from the play.
Boys Club of New York, Manhattan, NY (2013)
Taught improvisational acting to elementary age students at a summer camp.
Hartley House, Manhattan, NY (2013)
Taught the history of New York City using process drama, improvisational acting, and devised theatre at a History of New York City themed summer camp.
Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy, Topeka, KS (2009-2011)
Taught preschool-adult acting classes. Taught improvisational acting, devising, movement, scene study, acting foundations, and creating character. Wrote and directed children’s and TYA theatre productions. Devised storybook dramas with preschoolers.
lavinia roberts 