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Mirroring Writers Theatre's mission, the Education department reflects our commitment to the written word and the cultivation of young artists. WT Education’s multifaceted programs fall under three pillars: Onsite Programs, School-Based Programs and Theatre for Young Audiences.

I continue to advocate for Writers Theatre's programs because of its positive impact to the children I work with.
Teacher, Peirce Elementary

WT Education programs are aimed at exploring text, nurturing the creativity of young people and instilling appreciation of the arts for future generations. Through comprehensive programming in schools, on-site and through community-based initiatives, WT Education's curriculum is designed to emphasize collaboration, cultivate self-expression, encourage imaginative inquiry and promote civic responsibility and social justice.

TEACHING ARTIST Cohort

Dinah Berkeley

Teaching Artist

Kelsey Chigas

Teaching Artist

Catherine Councell "CC"

Teaching Artist

Ashli Funches

Teaching Artist

Ashley Laverty

Teaching Artist

Andie Nash

Teaching Artist

Abbie O'Donnell

Teaching Artist

Timothy David Rey

Teaching Artist

Natalia Rivera

Teaching Artist

Risha Tenae

Teaching Artist

Mary Tilden

Teaching Artist

Myles Mathews

Teaching Artist

Myles Mathews (he/him) is an actor/educator who recently graduated from the University of Michigan with a BFA in Acting and a minor in Social Work. During his time there, he was deeply involved with the Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP), leading theatre workshops inside correctional facilities and launching the Department of Theatre & Drama’s prison tour initiative, which brought performances to incarcerated audiences across Michigan!

Alondra Rios

Teaching Artist

Alondra Rios is an educator, theatre artist and writer who joined Writer’s Theatre as the Education and Engagement Associate in 2025. She has served as a teaching artist for Writer’s Theatre, Chicago Children’s Theatre, the Patel Conservatory, and the Cherubs program at Northwestern University. Aside from arts education, she works as a freelance theatre artist, serving as director, performer, and writer for many projects in the Chicagoland area. She is a proud graduate from Northwestern University with a BA in Theatre and certificates in Musical Theatre and Playwriting. Alondra is also a proud corgi mama! 

Scott Westerman

Teaching Artist

Scott Westerman (he/him) has performed with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Northlight, Lookingglass, Frame of Reference, Haven, Nothing Without A Company, Snails On A Bike, Filament, The Artistic Home, Chicago Dramatists, Strawdog, Lifeline, Stage Left, Apple Tree, A Crew of Patches, Mary Arrchie, and Festival Theatre of Oak Park. Outside Chicago, he has done shows with The Shakespeare Theatre Company and Ford’s Theatre in DC, Everyman Theatre in Baltimore, The Warehouse in South Carolina, and Barter Theatre in Virginia. Film credits include Chicago Fire, Prison Break, and Machine Gun Preacher. He’s an award-winning filmmaker and Artistic Director of Go To Productions. ScottWesterman.org 

Scott Westerman