TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Rose-Tree Media School District (1981-86)
Three years at Penncrest High School where I taught English and Creative Writing. While there I also designed and taught a special grammar course for incoming ninth graders who had not passed the eighth grade proficiency test. (100% of students passed proficiency test following completion of the course.)
Extra curricular: directed school plays, class sponsor, senior talent show sponsor, Junior Varsity soccer coach (Central League Champions, 1985)
Two years at Springton Lake Middle school teaching seventh and eighth grade English.
Widener University (1981-82)
Tutored adults in preparation for taking their GED exams.
Philadelphia Young Playwrights Festival (1982-89)
The Festival was designed to send playwrights into the high school classroom for a full day, followed up three weeks later for a half-day in order to hear the students’ results. I was the “Master Teacher” which meant incoming teachers observed my classroom presentation. While there I also designed many of the lessons still being used.
Villanova University (1987-91)
Graduate level playwriting instructor.
Drexel University (2001-present)
Playwriting I & 2, American Classic Cinema, Hitchcock, Stand-Up Comedy (Honors Department)
University Of Pennsylvania (2002-2007)
Playwriting, Comedy Writing Workshop
Rutgers University – (2003)
Playwriting
Rosemont College (2003-present)
Screenwriting and numerous Independent Studies in both playwriting and screenwriting
WORKSHOPS:
Numerous playwriting, acting and directing workshops including: Swarthmore College, Princeton, Carnegie Melon, Penn State, Ithaca, and four schools in the SUNY system.
Yearly guest speaker at NYSSA, a state wide summer program for New York state theatre students.
PUBLICATIONS:
The Collaborative Playwright, A Practical Guide to Getting Your Play Written (co-authored with Michele Volansky) Published by Heinneman (Available 3/07)
Twelve published plays (Dramatist’s Play Service and Samuel French)
Best Women’s Monologues (2001, 2002)
Best Men’s Monologues (1999, 2001, 2002)
Best Short Plays 2013
Philadelphia Magazine (“Where I Live” and “Ruminations on a Mutant Screenwriter”)
Dramatist’s Magazine
EDUCATION:
BA in Speech and Theatre (acting concentration) – Indiana University of Pennsylvania (1979)
Pennsylvania Certification in Secondary Education – Widener University (1981)
AWARDS AND GRANTS:
Rockefeller Foundation, Princess Grace Statuette Award, Theatre Association of Pennsylvania, Pew Foundation Fellow, Two Drama Desk Nominations, Seven Barrymore Award Nominations, Two Joseph Jefferson Nominations, Arizona Theatre Association Award Winner for Best Play, Humanitas Award For Best Children’s Screenplay, Edgerton Foundation, Nominated for the Blanche and Irving Laurie Award, Two Barrymore Awards for Best New Play, Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Play.