April Ranger
Producer, Educator, Office Administrator
258 Bainbridge St. Brooklyn,NY
Summary
Innovative producer of theatrical events with demonstrated ability to envision and exceed team goals working independently and with multiple collaborators. Driven and resourceful administrative professional with eight + years of experience creating team success in high achieving mission-based environments.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Receptionist
Central Park Conservancy
04.2023 - Current
- Initiated strong, positive relationships with all departments to advance Central Park Conservancy mission
- Demonstrated exceptional customer service while managing calls between board members, donors, current/prospective employees, and distressed Park Patrons
- Collaborated with Philanthropy team by assisting callers with making donations in memoriam
- Initiated Paving Stone donation by noting time-sensitive donation request while current fundraising manager was on vacation; cultivated positive and genuine connection with donor, guided donor through process and created certificate for Paving Stone Donation
- Initiated training in Smartsheets to facilitate direct communication between the Front Desk and Operations
- Demonstrated exceptional decision-making skills when elevating specific issues to correct leadership
- Created Monthly FAQ document to bridge communication gaps between departments for all public-facing staff members
- Created Daily Front Desk log to facilitate excellent communication among Office Services Team
- Collaborated with Communications Department regularly on generating language for difficult issues such as the 2023 cancellation of Taste of Summer, rodenticide use, and inquiries on Restoration Dates and Park Closures
- Collaborated regularly with Community Relations Team on real-time issues in Park such as abandoned pets, injured wildlife, unhoused individuals and other sudden issues.
- Initiated assistance to Visitor Services by requesting FAQ forms on Gift Shop purchases to help shoppers over phone
- Collaborated with Communications Department by researching and updating language for all topics for March 2023 Case Center Audit
- Helped maintain office security by monitoring visitor access and creating strong relationship with 717 Security Staff
- Helped create more inclusive staff environment by advocating for security badges for all CPC staff
- Handled sensitive information with discretion while maintaining strict confidentiality standards
- Cultivated positive relationships with park patrons, donors and prospective employees through professional demeanor and excellent interpersonal skills
- Deescalated conversations and complaints with park patrons through practices of empathy and sensitivity
- Completed three-part tree training to use Atlas and communicate smoothly with Arborist Team
Playwright/Producer
Self
08.2017 - Current
- Created successful fundraising campaigns via Social Media and Final Cut Pro
- Exceeded fundraising goals for productions by 10%
- Produced two full-length plays at off-off Broadway Theatres (The Tank NYC 2019; New Ohio Theatre 2020)
- Produced two monthly performance events for community members in Brooklyn and Manhattan (Page Meets Stage and The Ranger Zone)
- Hired team of collaborators for various productions
- Liaised with directors, actors, and marketing staff to successfully complete multiple community events
- Gained strong leadership skills by managing projects from start to finish in highly-collaborative settings
- Managed multiple collaborative processes using G-suite and Excel
- Demonstrated high level of initiative and creativity while tackling difficult tasks
Playwright
Page 73
01.2021 - 12.2022
- Created and revised four new plays
- Collaborated with writing group members to create positive learning environment
- Analyzed texts and communicated oral and written feedback
Office/Executive Personal Assistant
Ellen Novack
10.2014 - 6 2021
- Developed and distributed monthly newsletters through Mail Chimp
- Created and maintained successful filing systems
- Managed correspondence with over 70 students and clients
- Maintained accurate payment records with clients
- Maintained detailed track of office inventory and schedules
- Developed social media announcements and advertisements using Canva, Instagram and Facebook
- Used discretion when handling confidential information with high profile clients
English Professor
Brooklyn College
08.2017 - 05.2021
- Designed curriculum and course material for Creative Writing, Playwriting, Research Writing and Composition
- Initiated, facilitated and moderated classroom discussions for college-level English students from various learning and cultural backgrounds
- Created multiple learning paths for various learning styles and needs in classrooms of over 25 students
- Optimized available technologies for daily learning, such as Zoom, Google Workspace, Blackboard, Youtube, Final Cut Pro, and Canva
- Encouraged class discussions by creating engaging lessons, actively soliciting input and asking open-ended questions
- Created and maintained professional filing systems to track student progress, grades and student correspondence
Playwriting Professor
The New School
08.2017 - 05.2018
- Created dynamic learning environment that prioritized curiosity, trust and deep listening among students of all backgrounds
- Developed specific learning paths for 25 senior creative final thesis projects
Producer and Co-host
The Ranger Zone Poetry & Comedy Show
09.2016 - 05.2018
- Envisioned monthly performance event
- Created marketing experience through social media and exceeded audience attendance goals
- Developed successful partnership with local Brooklyn venue Branded Saloon
- Increased patron attendance on Thursday nights by over 50%
- Coordinated booking and payment for local artists
Development Director for Women's Poetry Slam
Poetry Slam, Inc.
06.2015 - 05.2016
- Co-produced sold-out International Women's Poetry Festival as part of team of five producers
- Cultivated relationships with Brooklyn business leaders and venue owners in order to exceed fundraising goals by 15%
- Created fundraising strategies to build community and bring in new donors and volunteers
- Successfully managed ticket sales and attendee information through Eventbrite for multiple sold-out events
- Collaborated with event designers to incorporate donor and sponsor logos into festival website and materials
Front Desk Manager
Pine View Lodge
05.2017 - 09.2017
- Maintained files and records by implementing effecient filing systems
- Managed over 50 customer calls per day and greeted guests during high volume season, multi-tasking while creating warm and welcoming atmosphere
- Collaborated with housekeeping and maintenance staff to address requests and complaints made by guests
- Oversaw fast-paced front desk operations and guests' needs at busy summer facility
- Oversaw and organized calendar to schedule reservations and monitor cancellations
Producer/Curator
Page Meets Stage
05.2014 - 05.2017
- Organized and managed program development from conception through successful execution
- Developed and maintained successful relationships with venue partners
- Developed program marketing and outreach strategies to increase awareness and attract new participants
- Obtained monthly funding from by writing successful grant requests to Poets & Writers, Inc.
Server
Al Di La Trattoria
10.2012 - 05.2016
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers and new guests
- Served over 50 guests per evening in fast-paced environment, meeting needs of multiple guests while communicating with warmth and friendliness
- Communicated guest needs effectively to kitchen staff and explained menu items to guests, working together to achieve highest guest satisfaction
- Gained expert knowledge in Italian wines and learned how to share knowledge with guests of all levels of wine knowledge
Education
Master of Fine Arts - Playwriting
Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY 08.2016 - 05.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Theatre
Emerson College
Boston, MA 08.2003 - 05.2007
Skills
Creative Problem-Solving
Accomplishments
- 2022 Page 73 Retreat Fellow
- 2021 Page 73 Fellowship Finalist
- 2020 New Ohio Theatre Producing Fellow
- 2019 Monson Arts Fellow
- 2018 Pegasus Playwright Fellow, Orlando
- 2017 Truman Capote Creative Writing Award
- 2013 Boston's Best Poet Nominee (Boston Phoenix)
- Performed, booked and managed individual and collaborative poetry tours at Universities and theaters across Unites States from 2010-2014
Affiliations
- Page 73 (Tony Award-winning Theatre)
- S.U.R.J. NYC (Showing Up For Racial Justice)
- NYWC (New York Writers Coalition)
Additional Information
In addition to the work history I've detailed here, I have over twelve years of experience in the restaurant industry, often supplementing my creative work. Any gaps in employment are periods when I worked in hospitality to pursue creative projects. My background in service has prepared me to solve problems in fast-paced environments and to communicate with colleagues and guests exceptionally well.
Timeline
Receptionist
Central Park Conservancy
04.2023 - Current
Playwright
Page 73
01.2021 - 12.2022
Playwright/Producer
Self
08.2017 - Current
English Professor
Brooklyn College
08.2017 - 05.2021
Playwriting Professor
The New School
08.2017 - 05.2018
Front Desk Manager
Pine View Lodge
05.2017 - 09.2017
Producer and Co-host
The Ranger Zone Poetry & Comedy Show
09.2016 - 05.2018
Master of Fine Arts - Playwriting
Brooklyn College
08.2016 - 05.2018
Development Director for Women's Poetry Slam
Poetry Slam, Inc.
06.2015 - 05.2016
Office/Executive Personal Assistant
Ellen Novack
10.2014 - 6 2021
Producer/Curator
Page Meets Stage
05.2014 - 05.2017
Server
Al Di La Trattoria
10.2012 - 05.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Theatre
Emerson College
08.2003 - 05.2007
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