# Activating Artistry and Moving the Collective Soul
the Okinawan spirit of Ichariba Chodee: one encounter makes people siblings
Interested? Contact me.
# A Multifaceted Artist Committed to Empowering Communities Through the Arts.
I am a distinguished Theatre Teaching Artist with an established artistic practice that spans three decades playing a variety of roles: Performer | Director | Playwright | Designer | Puppet Builder | Arts Administrator | Arts Consultant | Arts Advocate | Audio Describer | Open Captioner | Spanish-English Interpreter | Accessibility Coordinator | Teaching Artist | Community Artist | Drama Teacher | Arts Integration Specialist | Grant Writer | Grant Panelist | National Theatre Arts Standards Benchmarker...
I am a Leader in the Creative Sector and a Small Business Owner. Read more about practice and current work. Let's collaborate.
# Work
# Greetings, curious minds, adventurous spirits, and creativity enthusiasts:
Imagine a world where storytelling, theater, puppetry, music, and dance come together to bridge connections, ignite learning, and cultivate fresh ideas. From its humble beginnings in April 2020, YARD DRAMAS was born out of my passion for nurturing creativity and exploration. In a time when the world was forced to shelter in place, I walked my childhood classic red Radio Flyer wagon into neighbors’ yards for art-learning and making experiences. Collaborative storytelling sessions, well-being practices, and the creativity process unfolded in the embrace of nature.
Today I devise unique in-person and virtual creative experiences with clients and community partners!
# Join me on my blog - The RidgWay!
After a long day or a successful quarter, you may feel proud yet exhausted. These moments call for a pause to reflect on your creative journey.
Reflection is an inward journey to gain insights from our experiences. It helps us learn from both successes and challenges, fostering personal and professional growth. In this space, new ideas and inspiration emerge.
Over three decades of reflection, I’ve experienced recurring themes much like ridges formed by shifting earth. As my career evolved, I felt my authentic artistic self emerge, once trapped by the traditional arts ecosystem. I hope my reflections help shape advocacy and inspire just, meaningful change.
Join me on The RidgWay (no "E") for reflections, insights, and musings. Let’s leave convention behind, embark on a creative journey, and rise together toward the future.
Visit my blog to explore more.
# I call on you to value Teaching Artists!
As a Theatre Teaching Artist and proud member of Teaching Artists of the Mid-Atlantic (TAMA), I urge the arts and culture sector, funders, policymakers, schools, libraries, retirement homes, detention centers, and all community partners to recognize Teaching Artists as paid professionals. Pay equity is a social justice issue.
Take these positive steps to advance the profession:
- Use TAMA's Salary Ranges and Fair Pay Rate Builder to ensure fair compensation.
- Support local, regional, and national organizations led by and for Teaching Artists. Donate to TAMA.
- Follow my blog, start by reading my original statement (from 2021).
Together, we can build a more equitable and vibrant arts ecosystem.