EDUCATION

2021       MFA, Theatre Education and Applied Theatre, Emerson College, Boston, MA 

               Thesis Title: “’Nothing About Us Without Us:’ An Examination of the Dramatic Costs of  Skewed, Surrogate, and Failed Representations of                          Autism in Theatre” 

                      (winner: Graduate Dean’s Award, School of the Arts)

               Thesis Advisor: Magda Romanska, PhD; Reader: Brenda Foley, PhD

 

2011       MA, Theatre Education, Emerson College, Boston, MA                                                                                  

               Thesis Title: “Marina Carr’s Swans and Goddesses: New Feminist Myths for the Contemporary Irish Stage”

                       (winner: Graduate Dean’s Award Performing Arts)

               Thesis Advisor: Maureen Shea, PhD; Reader: Magda Romanska, PhD

 

1999       BA, Divisional Studies in Arts & Humanities, with concentrations is Speech Communication/Theatre Arts, Foreign Languages, and Music,                            Emmanuel College, Boston, MA             

                                                                                               

ADDITIONAL COURSEWORK 

2021       Certificate of Achievement, University of Kent, Online Course, “Understanding Autism” by Dr. Jill Bradshaw

 

PUBLICATIONS 

2022       The Theatre Times. “EPIC Players Creates Employment and Training Opportunities for Autistic & Neurodivergent Theatre Makers”

2016       METHODs: A Journal of Acting Pedagogy. Pace University. “Review of Essential Acting by Brigid Panet.”                                                       

2014       Breac: A Digital Journal of Irish Studies. Notre Dame University. “Marina Carr’s Swans and Goddesses: Contemporary Feminist Myth in                            Irish Drama.”                 

Manuscripts in Preparation

2023       Untitled article on autistic-led production of A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at A Common Thread Theatre Company in                                Framingham, MA, for The Theatre Times

2023       “Why Do Sex and Romance Always Bring Doom or Disaster for Autistic Characters?” (working title)

2021-3    Dramaturgy of Autism: Agency in Representation and in Reality (working title), monograph

Editorial Positions

2014-present       Etudes, Editorial Board Member, www.etudesonline.com   
 

AWARDS & HONORS                 

2023          Massachusetts Cultural Council Cultural Sector Pandemic Recovery Grant for Individuals

2021          Graduate Dean’s Award (School of the Arts), Emerson College                                              

2011          Graduate Dean’s Award (Performing Arts Department), Emerson College                

2010-11     Graduate Fellowship Merit Award Grant, Emerson College                                   

2009-10     Graduate Assistantship Merit Award Grant, Emerson College                                                                                                                

1999          St. Catherine of Kappa Gamma Pi Medal for Service to Emmanuel College    

 

INVITED TALKS 

2021-2      Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival – Region 1 (KCACTF): “Promoting and Supporting Neurodiversity in Theatre:                                      Rehearsal & Production Accommodations You Can Make Now,” Online.

2012         Emmanuel College Theater Arts Program Workshop: “Irish Dialects for Actors,” Boston, MA. (as visiting guest artist)

 

CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION

Conference Panels Organized

2023          Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival – Region 1 (KCACTF): Neurodivergent Affinity Space Facilitator

Conference Papers Presented

2022          The “Character” in Irish Drama - An Examination of How Far Autistic and Neurodivergent Characters Have Come” IASIL, University of                             Limerick, Ireland. (unable to attend due to funding)

2021          Consortium for Graduate Studies in Gender, Culture, Women, & Sexuality at MIT: “‘He's Actually Got a Girlfriend!:’ Challenges to the                                 Asexual/Aromantic Perceptions of Autism in Theatrical Representations,” Radical Love Across Difference Conference, MIT Online.

2019          American Conference for Irish Studies (ACIS): “Rose Mundy and Danti-Dan: The Trope of Disastrous Independence for Autistic &                                       Neurodiverse Characters,” National Conference, Boston, MA.

2013          International Association for the Study of Irish Literature (IASIL): “Urban Myth: Gender and Mythology in Mark O’Rowe’s Terminus,”                               Belfast, Northern Ireland.

2012          International Association for the Study of Irish Literature (IASIL): “Marina Carr’s Swans and  Goddesses: Contemporary Feminist Myth in                           Irish Drama,” Montreal, Canada.
 

CAMPUS/DEPARTMENTAL WORKSHOPS/PANELS 

2023          Emmanuel College Learning Commons Thursday Thoughts Lecture: “Claiming My Autistic Identity: A Journey of Self Discovery.”                                       Online. (November)

2021          Emmanuel College Learning Commons Thursday Thoughts Lecture: “'Nothing About Us Without Us:’ An Examination of the Dramatic                                 Costs of Skewed, Surrogate, and Failed Representations of Autism in Theatre” Online.  

2020          Emmanuel College Learning Commons Online Toolbox Workshop: “How to Prepare for Class Presentations,” Online.

                  Emmanuel College Learning Commons Online Toolbox Workshop: “How to Turn Your Outline (or Paper) Into Notecards for a                                               Presentation,” Online.

2019          Emmanuel College Learning Commons Toolbox Workshop: “Preparing an Oral Presentation,” Boston, MA.

                  Emmanuel College ARC & the President’s Commission on Diversity and Inclusion: “Faces Along the Spectrum.” Be Kind, Always Series.                           Panel Discussion of shared personal stories in connection to Autism.

                  Emmanuel College Day of Action/Day of Engagement Panel Discussion: “Holding the Mirror Up to Nature: Discussing the Role of                                       Theater in Social Justice.” Organizer/Moderator.

2015          Emmanuel College Theater Arts Program Workshop: “18th Century Movement and Posture for Les Liaisons Dangereuses.” Boston, MA.

2014          Emmanuel College (ecPULSE) Workshop: “Communicating Effectively with Your Professors.” Boston, MA.

 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Emmanuel College, Lecturer in Theater Arts and Speech, Theater Arts Program                

Acting: Basic Skills (Fall semesters, 2013-2023) [online F2021]

Acting: Styles & Genres (Spring semesters, 2014-20220 [online S2020]

Public Speaking (Spring and Fall semesters, 2014-2023) [online S2020/F2021]

Modern Drama (Fall 2015)

Costume Designer in Residence/Costume Shop Coordinator (2014-2023)

Director (2015)

Dialect Coach (Spring 2012 & 2013 by special invitation, as needed while teaching)

Co-Producer (all productions 2015-2023)

Salem State University, Visiting Lecturer, Dept. of Theatre & Speech Communication           

Public Speaking (Fall 2012 & Spring 2013, 2 sections each term)

Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, Student Teacher & Substitute Teacher                  

Beginning Acting (co-taught Spring 2011)

Advance Acting (co-taught Spring 2011)

Directing (co-taught Spring 2011)

Eastern Nazarene College, Teaching Artist & Costume Designer in Residence                    

Theatrical Design (2005, guest lectured in Costume Design)

Work Study Supervisor (2003-2006)

                                                      

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

2023-2024       “Work with Me, Here:” Examining Environmental and Cultural Challenges to Autistic Accessibility in Theatre Workspaces. Current                                      qualitative research study, interview-based

2020                “Nothing About Us Without Us:” Examining the Perceptions of Responsibility for Representations of Autism in Theatre Among Actors                                  & Playwrights. Qualitative pilot study conducted as graduate coursework; unpublished.

 

SERVICE TO PROFESSION 

2022-2025        Representation, Equity, & Diversity (RED) Region 1 Co-Chair/Chair, Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF)

2021                 Burlington Players Board of Directors: Informational Panel Discussion on Addressing Ableism in Community Theater. 

2014-present    KCACTF Respondent

2012                 Capstone Project Advisor, Emmanuel College (as visiting guest artist)                   

2010                 Arlington Friends of the Drama Community Theater: “Into This Breathing World…” Shakespearean Acting Workshop, Arlington, MA.

 

NON-ACADEMIC WORK - RELATED

2021-present    IATSE Local 481, Costumer/Tailor/Set Costumer/Shopper                                                 

                    For credits, see: Jenna Lourenco - IMDb

2003-present   Holiday Victorian Caroler/Miscellaneous Performer, Big Smile Entertainment           

2012 & 2014   Historical Interpreter/Docent, Witch Dungeon Museum, Salem, MA                

2012-2013       Program Director, Board of Directors, Arlington Friends of the Drama                             

2012-2013       Member-at-Large, New England Gilbert & Sullivan Society

2008-2012       Recording Secretary, Board of Directors, Arlington Friends of the Drama                         

2001-2011       Freelance Costume Designer                                                                                  

                    2007-08 EMACT DASH nom for Best Costume Design of a Play for The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Arlington Friends of the Drama

2009-2010       First Hand, Emerson College Costume Shop                                                                  

2003-2010       IATSE Local 775, Apprentice Dresser                                                                                                     

 

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS 

IATSE, Local 481, Member (active 2021-present)

Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Region 1 (KCACTF)

International Association for the Study of Irish Literature (IASIL)

American Conference for Irish Studies (ACIS)

Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE)

IATSE, Local 775, Apprentice (active 2003-2011)

     

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

OSHA-10 Certification

First Aid/CPR Training

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REFERENCES

provided privately upon request

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