ABOUT
Three things I absolutely love:
Inspiring art. Unforgettable experiences. Meaningful connections.
That’s the short version of who I am. I’ve pursued many passions, I’ve told lots of stories, and I’ve worn countless different hats (figuratively and literally – I have a hat collection, but that’s for another time). My career, and really my life, is a mixed media portrait. But throughout all my projects, creating connection through the arts and experiences has been the through line.
But if you’re curious about the long version….
I love all the arts – even dance, though I’m more of a “performer that moves” than a dancer. Growing up in small 555-person Verdigre, Nebraska, music was the lifeblood of my family. I started learning piano from my mom at age 3, accordion from my dad at age 5, and as soon as my brother, sister, and I could pick up a third instrument, we joined the family polka band. When I was 13, I wrote my first song, and not long after, released my first album of original piano compositions, Ivory Zephyrs. Throughout school, art classes motivated me, and my teacher not only gifted me with a practical toolset of value, horizon lines, and the like, but she pushed me to discover the potential for art in all my surroundings. And when I wasn’t making art, my favorite hobby was planning themed parties for family and friends – I’ll never forget Grandpa lounging with his director’s beret and Audrey Hepburn cigarette holder at the Hollywood party!
At Doane University, I fell in love with theatre and passionately threw myself into every production possible. I took almost all the theatre courses available, attended workshops in numerous cities, and served on the executive board of six different student organizations. I tried my hand at every onstage and offstage role, ultimately directing two full-length plays, scenic designing four shows, acting in six productions, and leading the student theatre company for two years before graduating. Plus, I had the honor of presenting my scenic design for Peter and the Starcatcher at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C in 2018. After college, I worked as a director and designer for various New York and Midwest theatre companies, including Festival 56 (IL) and Astoria Performing Arts Center (NY), and as a Broadway usher with Jujamcyn Theaters (NY).
When the pandemic hit, I decided it was time for a pivot. So, over the course of the past year and half, I earned my Master’s in Arts Leadership and Management from Wichita State University and an Event Planning Certificate from Emory University. Also, I explored courses in marketing and interior design – because why not, it’s a great time for learning! And, I finally had a chance to release my second album, Out with the Tide!
I’ve learned that the stories told through theatre, events, songs, spaces, every creative expression – those stories are a powerful way to build connections and change hearts. Looking ahead, I want to forge a career focused on the intersection of the arts and experiences – and how their combination can bring people together to make the world better.
RESUME
Education
-
GPA: 4.0
Selected Coursework: Managing Arts Organizations, Adaptive Leadership, Strategic Planning for Arts Organizations, Contemporary Issues in American Arts Programs, Arts Marketing, Digital Marketing, Shaping Arts in the 21st Century, Entrepreneurial Thinking in the Arts, Public and Nonprofit Financial Management
-
Selected Coursework: Introduction to Event Planning, Event Design, Food & Beverage, Event Technology, Executing an Event, Social Event Planning for Weddings & Celebrations, Pivoting to Virtual Events (LinkedIn Learning)
-
GPA: Magna Cum Laude – 3.973
Selected Coursework: Theatre Management, Advanced Directing, Advanced Scenic Design, Marketing, Art History, Theatre History, Vocal Lessons, Dance & Creative Movement, Acting, Scenic Painting, Costume/Lighting/Sound Design, Playwriting, Arts-focused travel courses to London & New York City
Activities and Honor Societies: Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society, Delta Omicron Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Alpha Pi Epsilon Fraternity, Doane Theatre Department, Doane Music Department, Hansen Leadership Program, Doane Players, Absolutely Unprepared Improv Team
-
Arts Marketing (WSU), Digital Marketing (WSU), Social Media Marketing Certificate (Hubspot, 2020), Content Marketing Certificate (Hubspot, 2021), Google Analytics Beginner & Advanced (2020), Introduction to Marketing (Doane University)
-
Elements of Interior Decorating (Emory), Principles of Design (Emory), Introduction to Home Staging (Emory), Biophilic Design (Ethan Allen)
Diploma in Interior Design from the Interior Design Institute – in progress
-
Theatrical Intimacy Education (TIE) Best Practices Workshop (2020)
Debra Booth Master Class at the National Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (2018)
Tech Management Intensive at the Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas (2018)
Selected Professional Experience
-
Programming & Events:
-Recruited artists, secured sponsors, prepared and proofread marketing materials, managed day-of social media, and assisted with event coordination for Artisans Along the Avenue fundraising event
-Completed events-related tasks for Opening Receptions, First Fridays, Artist Talks, and rentals, including developing attendee communications, coordinating with vendors, set-up and strike, scheduling volunteers, organizing on-site supplies, filling out rental agreements, ticket sales, & in-person customer service
-Developed curriculum about various arts topics, taught educational classes for grades 5th – 12th
-Assisted with arranging, hanging, and lighting art exhibitions in the Gallery and Atrium
Development & Marketing:
-Assisted with membership reengagement, year-end fundraising, and Giving Tuesday campaigns, inputted new memberships and gifts into Neon One (CRM), created summary reports and other administrative tasks
-Developed communications strategies and social media calendars consistent the NAC brand alongside the Marketing Coordinator, wrote engaging multi-channel copy & created promotional content
-Measured and analyzed key metrics using multiple communications channels and Neon One (CRM), created, optimized, and shared summary reports to track engagement, audience growth, and ticket sales
Administration:
-Recorded minutes at Board, staff, and major donor meetings, participated in strategic planning sessions
-Completed various administrative tasks, including scheduling volunteers, distributing direct mail, creating email blasts, conducting research for projects, preparing surveys, and updating marketing materials
-
-Guided diverse nightly crowds of 1600 guests with the Front of House team to ensure a friendly, efficient, safe environment consistent with the Jujamcyn and show-specific brand
-Provided excellent customer service by enthusiastically engaging with individuals and resolving concerns with diplomacy and discretion, adhering to company and union policies
- Ushered at Broadway productions of Disney's Frozen, Moulin Rouge, Hadestown, Mean Girls, and The Book of Mormon
-
- Served as temp event staff for various clients, including Sequence Events, Temple Emanu-El, and the North American International Toy Fair at the Javits Center
- Assisted with event set up and strike, welcome guests and worked at registration tables, guided attendees through the venue, served food and beverage, assembled attendee gifts
-
- Freelance scenic designer, property designer & studio assistant for New York designers.
- Built scenic design models for various productions, assisted with drafting and Photoshop materials, conducted research for upcoming projects.
-
- Collaborated with directors & designers to determine story-driven ideas and conceptualize dynamic visuals for six productions
- Communicated consistently, verbally and in writing, with administrative and artistic teams to coordinate logistics, establish timelines, manage budgets, schedule interns and volunteers, and foster a creative community
- Partnered with Board, staff, community members, and local businesses to source props and build sustainable future relationships
- Designed unique show-specific pieces, prioritized multiple projects, delivered detailed finished products on fast-paced deadlines
- Maintained prop shop space, inventoried all props and supplies, purchased new materials as needed
- Productions: Pinkalicious the Musical, Little Women, Rabbit Hole, Mary Poppins, Othello, I Do! I Do!
-
Programming & Events
- Artistic director of student-led theatre company, directed productions of The Effect and I Love You I Love You
-Coordinated a 4-day, 14-member trip to Chicago with a detailed itinerary, budget, and transportation plan
-Conceived, produced, and promoted new events, including the Autumn Cabaret and New Play Festival
-Created and implemented mentorship program that paired incoming freshmen with upperclassmen
-Facilitated after-school theatre outreach programs at local schools with university-student teaching artists
-Researched partnership opportunities and built relationships with other local & student organizations
Marketing
-Promoted events by obtaining publicity materials, distributing posters, publicizing through campus outlets, and posting on social media
-Documented events, organized media archive, curated edited content into digital & print presentations
-Managed the organization’s digital profile, moderated Facebook group of theatre alumni & students
Administration
-Developed calendars & agendas, led weekly meetings, tracked expenses & oversaw the budget, tracked member engagement
-Presented to faculty, Student Congress, and University administration routinely about organization’s activities and to secure funding
-
- Led official tours of the Doane University campus for prospective students and families, creating an individualized experience while incorporating a written script, institution history & facts, and personal stories
-Accompanied and chauffeured-via-golf-cart prospective students and families on lunches, to meet-and-greets with professors, and to interviews and auditions
-Spoke on student panel discussions and served as event staff for Admissions-coordinated events such as Homecoming, Scholarship Days, and High School Group Tours
- Assisted with recruitment administrative tasks, including answering phones, writing personalized handwritten postcards to students, filing admissions paperwork, delivering documents to other departments, and miscellaneous clerical work
- Promoted Doane University at all times with a welcoming, energetic attitude and professional language & behavior consistent with the University brand
-
Swimming Instructor
-Maintained Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Certification during years of teaching.
-Coordinated Red Cross Learn-to-Swim swim lessons program, taught 30+ students ages 3-12 private lessons each season, provided constructive positive feedback to facilitate student growth, completed student evaluations
-Developed lesson plans, communicated with parents consistently, completed lessons-related paperwork, and maintained student records from year-to-year
Pool Manager/Lifeguard
Manager for the 2015 & 2016 summer season. Lifeguard/Pool Operator for the 2013-2016 summer seasons.
-Scheduled a staff of 11 employees and conducted staff in-services
-Coordinated and emceed pool fundraisers, community pool parties, and staff appreciation events
-Tracked patron statistics, maintained records, completed incident reports, compiled periodic progress reports, and revised outdated paperwork from previous seasons
-Observed and enforced safety policies, ensured compliance with state regulations
-Maintained CPR/1st Aid, Lifeguard, and Pool Operator certifications during years of employment
Selected Awards
-
-
-
-
Check out Peter and the Starcatcher.
-
Check out Peter and the Starcatcher.
-
-
Check out The Effect.