An experienced theater artist and performer in her own right, Lauren clearly appreciates the intersection of theater artistry and education at a sophisticated level. She has an ability to direct and teach teenage students and facilitate their student learning at a differentiated yet high level. She has recently shown me how she deftly translates that ability to supporting her peers as well. As the Director of Theater for over 1700 NYC public schools serving 1.3 million students, I supervise all aspects of theater education for students, teachers and their communities across New York City. One program I produce is our annual NYCDOE Citywide Theater Professional Development (PD) series for teachers of theater. As a new facilitator, Lauren is part of a select team of theater educators I invite from other schools as well as artists from The Roundabout Theater Company, Epic Theatre Ensemble, NY Theatre Workshop and Pan Asian Rep, among others. At our PDs, we frequently break teachers into smaller working groups and Lauren’s facilitation contributions are excellent. I enjoy observing Lauren interact with theatre peers across all grades and levels of experience. She reveals the same focused, calm demeanor that encourages her students, to take similar risks in theater making, conversation and reflection. Lauren is smart, engaging and demonstrates a keen eye and ear for quality. She has a clear grasp on the impact that theater can have in young people’s lives while not treating it preciously. Theater is work and Lauren embraces that ethos. She commits fully, asks thoughtful questions and genuinely loves talking about the craft of theater making. Lauren continues to engage her students in contemporary plays that wrestle with big ideas and stretch her students as actors. As I have gotten to know Lauren over the past several years, I have seen her develop into a master theater educator while retaining her innate curiosity and clarity. A veteran teacher and a hungry student simultaneously.
- Peter Avery, Director of Theater