1. You are the education coordinator for Redhouse Arts Center. Can you tell us more about it?
Redhouse Arts Center is a non-profit organization located in downtown Syracuse that offers yearly mainstage theater productions for local audiences and a plethora of educational programming in-house and off-site at several Syracuse City School District schools as well as other non-profit organizations, in a nutshell. We strive to bring professional quality theater performances and arts education programs to the local community. Redhouse is known for its two pillars of strength: the artistic department and the education department. Both contribute equally to the success of Redhouse and what we are able to provide year after year.
2. What is your role as education coordinator?
I am very fortunate to work at Redhouse because I get to wear many hats and utilize many of my skills as an educator and administrator. As education department coordinator, I oversee all of our in-house and off-site programs. For 2023, this includes our eight in-house camps, six off-site camps, and the work we do with Syracuse Parks and Rec and Arc of Onondaga every year. We currently provide after-school enrichment at ELMS and Lincoln Middle School, where I am also the director and music director of their school musical. We are also at Porter Elementary School through the 21st Century grant. Twice a month, we go to Lyncourt School to teach a wide range of arts-related classes. We also provide a morning program at Van Duyn Elementary School. Last year, we did work with the Dunbar Organization and the Hillside Family of Agencies. This year, we have added programs at BASCOL and within the Fayetteville-Manlius School District. I ensure everything runs smoothly, finding the best instructors for each program and ensuring their success while they teach, and sometimes stepping in to teach a class myself – which I love!
3. Tell us about your education department production in partnership with Arc of Onondaga.
Every year, we do a production in collaboration with Arc of Onondaga, in which we cast professional actors alongside members of Arc of Onondaga to highlight inclusive and accessible theater for all. The relationships made between Arc participants and our actors are so endearing, heart-warming, and a one-of-a-kind experience. I started music directing for this production last spring and am honored to return this year. It was one of the best and most rewarding experiences of my life. 2023 is our 10th anniversary with Arc of Onondaga, and we are very excited to celebrate with them. In the past, we have done productions such as Now.Here.This, The Secret Garden, The Snow Queen, and Once Upon a Mattress, just to name a few! This year, we added a fall program designed for the youth from Arc of Onondaga, which was very successful. We cannot wait to bring it back this coming fall.
4. What are the upcoming events at Redhouse Arts Center?
For our mainstage productions, we have The Bridges of Madison County coming up in May, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, our production with Arc, in June! (Click here to learn more.) We have many school performances happening as well: James and The Giant Peach, Jr. at Porter Elementary School in May and The Wiz at Lincoln Middle School in June. We then move right into summer workshops and camps for 10 weeks!
Know an educator who deserves a mention? Email [email protected].
Check out the full May issue below!
