Faculty

Faculty

Sobha Kavanakudiyil
Director

Faculty:
Elizabeth Dunn-Ruiz
Jan Valle

Adjunct Faculty:

Courtney J. Boddie

Kelly Brady

Paul Brewster

Durell Cooper

Jennifer DeRosa

Sasha Dobos-Czarnacho

Robert Ellman

Amanda Gronich

Michelle Minnick

Sara Morgulis

Jennifer Nelson

Kimberly Olsen

Karen Ougthred

Jeff Poulin

Leah Reddy

Wendy Rojas

Lisanne Shaffer

David Shookhoff

Michael Wiggins

Spica Wobbe

What are students saying?

Even though I have so much more to learn (and always will), so many more demographics to experience, and many more cultural and societal epiphanies to have, I am so appreciative to the Ed Theatre program and the many people I have interacted with at City College, for providing such priceless insights and strategies that are now becoming second nature.

I've loved being a part of this program!
-Steven Beckingham

The professors and advisors make themselves 100% available to you - the amount of support I feel I have is insurmountable!  Anytime there is a question about an assignment, a class, or the "field" in general, I always get a quick, thought-provoking, and honest response. I feel that the students in the Educational Theatre program are incredibly supportive and appreciative of one another.  Everyone brings something different to the table, and having a strong network of friendly faces and resources is almost as beneficial as the degree itself!  

The great thing about Educational Theatre is that it combines two fields in which you are constantly learning - Education and the Performing Arts.  You never stop growing, developing, or discovering new elements in either topic, which is the most exciting aspect. CCNY's program has provided the fuel for me to continuously be inquiring and reflecting upon what I do.  
- Alyi Cahill

I knew the Educational Theater program at CCNY was magical from the moment I started classes. The faculty are not only leaders in the field, but they are the most caring, supportive people who work hard to make sure each student succeeds in their own unique way. I feel more confident and inspired in my career as an arts educator and administrator as a result of my time here!
- Laura Bozzone, Performing Arts Program Manager at New York Edge

The Educational Theatre Program at CCNY helped me find my voice and gave me the tools I need to advocate for myself and for the field. I'm proud to be a part of this ensemble and to bring what I've learned to my professional life.
- Charlotte Exton, Lead House Manager, Jacob Burns Film Cente

What our students are doing?

Graduate Candidates in the Program in Educational Theatre explore their artistry while developing their pedagogy. Here is a list of the research and development being done:
 

Content Research Seminar

Research in our program is a culminating process that candidates look forward to. It is a year long process. In the first semester candidates learn how to research as well as select topics and in the second semester candidates focus on creating an ethnodrama to share their research.  

Previous topics have included:

• Effects of COVID 19
• Advocacy
• An ethno drama exploring the preference for digital communication in teenagers
• A case study investigating social development and linguistic growth in primary school students through the use of Shakespeare
• Utilizing newspaper theater to explore perceptions of the college admissions process in a 10th grade theater classroom
• The effect of parody and satire on perceptions of disability
• A study examining the effects of using drama with individuals with autism, both in the theater and in the classroom.
• Exploring self efficacy with adolescents through devised theater

Drama in Education

Candidates researched different theatre practitioners in the field of theatre education where they synthesized class discussions, experiences, readings and research to support their own teaching philosophy. Here is a list of some of the research done in this course:

• From Dewey to Dorothy, a paper comparing the theories and practice of John Dewey and Dorothy Heathcote.

• Boal and the Government, a paper examining the work of Augusto Boal and how it can impact social change beginning in a classroom environment.

• Using Ethno Drama to Understand History, a paper outlining the importance of Ethno Drama and examining how it can be used to study History in a classroom.