Teaching philosophy
I have come to believe that teaching is the art of instilling self-awareness in the student. A student needs to determine how best they learn and how to best to explore who they are as an artist. To this end I like to vary the methods I use when instructing students. In my acting courses this manifests through utilizing physical, vocal, and character based acting techniques such as Viewpoints, Lessac, and Stanislavsky Method, to name a few. In courses which focus on theater history and/ or technical theater I like to use a variety of hands-on, visual, and auditory learning techniques. This may include lectures, build projects, performance projects, and reading resources.
My ideal outcome for any student that I work with is to give them the tools to pursue careers in numerous areas of the theater arts. I would like my students to walk away from my courses as well-rounded theater practitioners with an understanding of requirements both on and behind stage. I believe the appreciation that arises from studying all areas of theater will allow these students to become better communicators no matter what occupation they choose to pursue.
Additional skills which students will be able to utilize in any future endeavor are the abilities to identifying challenges within a project and/or production, as well as, the ability to creatively solve these challenges.
curriculum vitae
Ms. Wegman-Wood received her MFA of Acting from the University of Virginia. Under the tutelage of Colleen Kelly, Kate Burke, and Marianne Kubik she gained invaluable experience in both teaching and performance. She intends to pursue a career in academics and is seeking positions in theater education. Although her concentrated area of study is acting, her well-rounded background in technical theater and film make her a versatile performer and educator. She is resolved to continue to pursue her performance passion in tandem with her academic interests which will allow her to incorporate Professional Acting experience into her teaching knowledge and curriculum.
Fellowships, Honors, and Awards:
Graduate Assistantship
One of eight students awarded an assistantship for the three years of the MFA Acting program. Award given to MFA students at the University of Virginia pursuing a degree in Acting.
Graduate School Travel Grant 1st Year
Awarded by the University of Virginia Drama Dept. to selected MFA candidates to assist them in pursuing continued education during the summer vacation.
Graduate School Travel Grant 2nd Year
Awarded by the University of Virginia Drama Dept. to selected MFA candidates to assist them in pursuing continued education during the summer vacation.
Hybrid Acting Grant
Grant given to the University of Virginia Graduate Actors in order to encourage the use of technology in the classroom. The emphasis of the grant was for each Graduate Instructor to incorporate technology into the acting curriculum.
ITS Honors
Academic Honors given to students pursuing degrees in the field of theater.
The Kennedy Center Award for Achievement in Sound Design
An award given to student designers for work which showed exceptional technique and artistry within a given design field.
Dean’s List
High scholastic standing while attending Avila University garnered multiple semesters on the Dean’s List.
Spirit of Avila Award
This award is given to students who embody the mission and values of Avila University by “helping the good neighbor” through community projects while still maintaining high academic standing.
Education
MFA Acting, University of Virginia
Thesis: Continual Transformation: Refining and Deepening the Craft of Acting through Education
Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theater, Blue Lake, CA
The Center for Movement Theater, Washington DC
BFA Acting, Avila University
BFA Technical Theater, Avila University
Washington High School
Prior Work Experience
Department of Social Sciences, College of the Desert
Adjunct Faculty, Introduction to Theater Design and Production
Teach Introduction to Theater Design and Production for majors, minors, and non-majors
Instruct students on the elements of theater design, history of theater design, and design techniques. Create and revise syllabus each semester. Evaluate student growth throughout the course
Department of Social Sciences, College of the Desert
Adjunct Faculty, Introduction to Theater
Teach Introduction to Theater for majors, minors, and non-majors
Instruct students on the elements of theater, history, and performance techniques. Create and revise syllabus each semester. Evaluate student growth throughout the course
Department of Drama, University of Virginia
Instructor of Record, Acting I
Teach Acting One for majors, minors, and non-majors. Instruct students on the elements of acting techniques, acting history, and performance. Create and revise syllabus each semester. Evaluate student growth throughout the course
Department of Drama, University of Virginia
Teaching Assistant, Cinema as an Art Form
Lecture and teach class in Professor’s absence
Coordinate screenings
Run note and test prep sessions
Grade and evaluate student work throughout the course
Department of Drama, University of Virginia
Teaching Assistant, Stage Management Practicum
Coordinate weekly meetings
Discuss and mentor students as they perform their practicum
Grade and evaluate student’s stage management skill
Casting, Arvold Casting
Casting Intern, Casting Internship
Filing, Dictation, Responding to e-mails, Reviewing submissions, Interfacing with clients, Performing as a reader for auditions, Creating info. packets, Organizing office, Cleaning office, Reviewing screenplay submissions
Youth Programs, Live Arts
Technical Theater Instructor, Summer Program
Create syllabus, Instruct students in technical theater elements; lighting, costumes, sound, and stage design, Supervise students in creation of all staging elements, Supervise student technicians during performances
Youth Programs, Theater of the Imagination
Acting Instructor, Musical Theater Camp
Create syllabus for students, Instruct students on singing, dancing, and acting, Direct rehearsals, Supervise performance
Youth Programs, The Dance Academy
Dance Instructor, Pre-K Dance
Instruct students in ballet, tap, and jazz techniques, Direct rehearsals, Supervise performance
Religious Studies, Avila University
Office Assistant
Filing, Dictation, Responding to e-mails, Transcribing grades, Reformatting the office computers
Projects
Ms. Wegman has been involved in the following activities or services:
Mead Grant devised performance, Empty Cups
Devisor and performer
Devised performance, The Ransom of Red Chief
Devisor and performer
Dell’Arte International summer workshop
Participant
Clown Intensive workshop
Participant
Crazy For You, You Can’t Take It with You, Rhinoceros, Romeo and Juliet, Vinegar Tom
(U.Va.) Adrenaline Film Festival (U.Va.) Turn Featured Extra (AMC) The Nutcracker (Amoeba Films)
Actor
God Has Not Said A Word, South to Rio (U.Va.)
Director
A Flea in Her Ear Trailer (U.Va.)
DP/ Editor
Aida, Marisol (Avila University) Hansel & Gretel (Theater for Young America)
Stage Manager
Equity Showcase (AEA)
Assistant SM
Barefoot in the Park, First Lady Suite, Bare, The Glass Menagerie, Inspecting Carol, and The Grapes of Wrath (Avila University)
Designer
Romeo and Juliet (Heart of America Shakespeare Festival) The Dead Guy (On Stage Atlanta) Peter Pan (360 Entertainment) A Piece of My Heart, As You Like It, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, The Grey Zone, Kiss Me Kate, Moon Over Buffalo, West Side Story, Hamlet, Dead Man Walking, Gypsy, Black Comedy, Into the Woods, and Trojan Women (Avila University)
Technician/ Crew
University of Virginia - GSAS
Graduate Council Representative
Skills
SAFD Recommended Pass and Proficiency in:
Unarmed, Rapier & Dagger
Commedia Dell’Arte
character clown and mask
Dialects
RP English, Estuary English, Cockney, Slavic, Rural Southern, Plantation Southern, Northern Irish, New York, French
Aerial Acrobatics
Silks and Lyra
Proficiency in modern office software
MS Office suite
Sound and video editing software
Adobe suite, Final Cut suite
References
Available Upon Request.