Our Education Programs reach over 10,000 students a year! In addition to Director of Education Nicole Ripley and Education Outreach Coordinator Kelsey Chigas, WT has ten teaching artists who extend Writers Theatre’s mission beyond our stages. These artists work in schools and community organizations to bring theatre and arts-integrated literary programs throughout Chicagoland. We are thrilled to introduce them:
ASHLEY ROBERSON
Years with WT: 1.5
Where are you from originally?
My entire family is from New Orleans, Louisiana, but I moved around a lot as a kid.
What do you like about teaching for WT?
I love the support that I get from the other teaching artists and the Theatre itself. We all love and respect the arts and all that they have to offer our youth.
Favorite WT teaching memory?
My first residency with WT was an after school poetry unit. At the end of the first day of class we stood in a circle and I asked the kids to say one word that expresses how they felt about the poetry… one student (who was having the hardest time expressing himself during class) said ‘joy.’ My heart grew three sizes in that moment. It reminded me that you never know how you’re affecting the kids you teach!
What would your teaching artist superhero power be?
It would be to rid kids of their inhibitions and allow them to be as crazy and creative with their
thoughts and ideas as possible.
AMANDA DUNNE ACEVEDO
Years with WT: 5
Where are you from originally? Gages Lake, IL
What do you like about teaching for WT?
The program is a strong, progressive model in the field of arts education and the staff is collaborative and focused on best practices.
Favorite WT teaching memory?
The moments I see students act bravely, speak boldly and truly support one another.
What do you do creatively or for fun when you’re not teaching?
I create original theatrical works with my theatre company, Genesis Ensemble.
What would your teaching artist superhero power be?
To hear the thoughts inside my students’ heads… I could hear when my students have ideas/opinions and are afraid to speak up and then facilitate the process of helping them feel comfortable and confident in sharing their voices.
SINDY CASTRO
Years with WT: 1.5
Where are you from originally?
I grew up in Hialeah, FL (Miami, FL). I was born in Nicaragua.
What do you like about teaching for WT?
The opportunity to work with students in small groups and get one-on-one interaction with them. Actively exploring a book and bringing new possibilities to life.
Favorite WT teaching memory?
Returning to teach at Jungman Elementary for a second year and seeing my 7th graders perform as confident 8th graders.
When did you fall in love with theatre?
When I was in 7th grade. I signed up for Drama class and I have continued since.
CLAIRE REDFIELD
Years with WT: 1st year!
Where are you from originally? Chicago. I grew up on the South Side.
What do you like about teaching for WT? The community of teaching artists.
Favorite WT teaching memory? Teaching artist training!
When did you fall in love with theatre?
I was 13 years old. The play was Jenny Kissed Me and I played the Old Maid next door who no one liked. I wanted to be in rehearsal every day, even when I wasn’t called.
At WT we are about the written word; what is your all-time favorite story?
I love Peter Pan and King Lear.
JENNY AVERY
Years with WT: 9
Where are you from originally? New York City.
What do you like about teaching for WT?
So many things, WT has an enormously well thought out education program that is aligned with the mission and therefore the staff are passionate about it. My parents owned a bookstor and I have always been a big reader so I love the idea of bringing books to life through theatre. I love getting students excited about books and theatre and that seems to happen with at least one student on every residency program I do for Writers Theatre.
Favorite WT teaching memory?
One that sticks with me was at Peirce Elementary many years ago in the early stages of this program. The school was pretty rough at the time and a lot of the students had trouble with reading. I didn’t really know that, so I naively asked them to do things that were apparently outside of their comfort zone… they really all stepped up to the challenge. During the final presentation, their teacher started to cry because she had never seen some of her students get up in front of people in this way. It was incredibly satisfying to know that we had made a difference for this class.
At WT we are about the written word, what is your all-time favorite story?
I love Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are and In the Night Kitchen – they are so dreamlike and yet get at the core of a child’s psyche. One of my all-time favorites would be To Kill a Mockingbird. I can read that over and over and always find something new.
LAUREN SALE
Years with WT: 1st year!
Where are you from originally? Durham, North Carolina
What do you like about teaching for WT?
I love the Novel Series residency in schools. I love getting lost in a book and meeting characters living in that world. The NSSP (Novel Series Study Plan) lets me creatively explore that world with young people.
At WT we are about the written word; what is your all-time favorite story?
Right now I’m on a YA dystopian novel kick. After The Hunger Games, I started the Divergent series. The 3rd and final book, Allegiant came out and I can’t wait to jump in and read that!
What would your teaching artist superhero power be?
Teleporting. Getting to jobs quickly would make life so easy!
BLAKE MCKAY
Years with WT: 1st year!
Where are you from originally?
I was born in New York and raised in New Jersey.
What do you like about teaching for WT?
I like that it’s challenging, and I have a lot of colleagues who are always willing to offer advice.
Favorite WT teaching memory?
Making hand puppets to tell original stories with Nicole Ripley – our Director of Education – and a group of kindergartners and first-graders.
What do you do creatively or for fun when you’re not teaching?
I worked on a writing a novel for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)!
When did you fall in love with theatre?
When I was in sixth grade I discovered theatre and the joy of performance and storytelling.
At WT we are about the written word; what is your all-time favorite story?
The Alchemist and The Little Prince are tied for first.
What would your teaching artist superhero power be?
I would love to be able to tune into the thoughts of shy students, because so often they have wonderful, creative ideas bubbling within.
MELANIE BREZILL
Years with WT:
4 (first as an actor in The MLK Project, 1.5 as a teaching artist)
Where are you from originally?
Chicago, IL
What do you like about teaching for WT?
I love watching students infuse their own creativity into what they gather from the page. It’s amazing to see them take the lead in their learning process with just a little guidance.
When did you fall in love with theatre?
It’s hard for me to pinpoint a single moment, but I do recall seeing a play in fourth grade that made me cry. Everyone was worried but I was simply moved! I knew I wanted to be a part of something that could reach people like that some day.
At WT we are about the written word; what is your all-time favorite story?
My all-time favorite story is The Gilded Six Bits by Zora Neale Hurston. It’s a great tale about love and forgiveness.
What would your teaching artist superhero power be?
“The Superclone.” It would be great to be able to clone myself so that I could work with every student at the same time.
What is/was your favorite playground game?
I love a great relay race!
Not pictured: José Olivarez, Lindsey Barlag Thornton (summer programs) and classroom assistant Sarah Johnsrude, artistic/education intern.
More on the Education Department:
The Novel Series Study Plan | Write On! Residencies | The MLK Project | WT Youth Council |
Professional Development | Articles | Videos
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