GARY B. SESSA
Las Vegas,NV
Summary
Certified Highly Qualified Teacher, Theatre Director, Educator, Performing Arts Project Facilitator, with 32+ years of increasingly responsible experience in the areas of instructing acting, technical theatre, musicals and play productions, and theatre management with particular emphasis in: Teaching students how to apply the skills learned in theatre to any occupation they may pursue. Inspiring students to be literate so they may succeed.
Theatre professional with strong background in directing and producing live performances. Skilled in team collaboration, creative problem-solving, and adapting to changing needs. Proven ability to inspire cast and crew, manage rehearsals, and ensure high-quality productions. Reliable and result-focused, with deep understanding of stagecraft, script analysis, and audience engagement.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Theatre Director / Instructor / Technician, Performing Arts Project Facilitator
CCSD - Clark County School District
02.1994 - Current
- Rebuilt Theatre program from extracurricular activity to full-time program.
- Manage and maintain two theatres plus student staff and technical coaches.
- Instruct acting, technical theatre, music production, and English.
- Produce plays, musicals, music production performances, talent shows.
- Budgeting for Theatre department and productions.
- Hire technical coaches.
- Bonanza High School (2009-08–Present)
- Secondary Fine & Performing Arts (Part-time 2003–Present; Full-time 2007–2009)
- Coordinate musical theatre performances for biannual community concert at Smith Center.
- Consult with Smith Center on implementation of National High School Musical Theatre Awards.
- Write curriculum and lead task force.
- Coordinate, conduct and hire presenters for new and existing teacher staff development days.
- Liaison between teachers, administrators, district officials, community leaders.
- Evaluate theatre facilities for safety, equipment and other concerns.
- Consult on theatre rebuilds/refurbishments and coordinate theatre equipment purchases.
- Budgeting as required.
- Coordinate festivals and events.
- Mentor new theatre teachers.
- Instruct teachers in Theatre Adjudication and Technical Theatre.
- Summer SILV site facilitator/liaison.
- Shadow Ridge High School 2003–2007/Lawrence Middle School 2001–2003/Las Vegas High School 1994–2001
- Instruct acting, technical theatre, music production, and English.
- Expand student’s knowledge of theatre and its impact on other genres.
- Prepare students for various careers utilizing technical theatre skills.
- Teach students how to apply the skills learned in theatre to any occupation they may pursue. Inspire students to be literate so they may succeed.
- Manage theatre, audio, visual, carpentry, staffing, and safety protocols.
- Open and equip new and existing theatres. Produce plays, musicals, talent shows, music productions, and one acts.
- Build sets, lighting and sound. Sponsor Thespian Troupe. Coordinate fundraising.
- Budgeting for Theatre department and productions.
- Directed and produced diverse theatrical productions, enhancing audience engagement and artistic quality.
- Oversaw budget allocations, maximizing resource utilization while maintaining high production standards.
- Developed project budgets and managed production costs.
On-call Stagehand II
MGM Grand Garden Arena
03.2009 - 03.2012
- Deckhand, spotlight, general carpenter, lighting, audio, video
Education
Master of Arts - Theatre
University of Nevada
Las Vegas01.2002
Teacher Certification - English/Theatre
University of Nevada
Las Vegas01.1993
Bachelor of Arts - Theatre
University of Nevada
Las Vegas01.1988
Skills
- Theatre production
- Technical direction
- Budget management
- Curriculum development
Certification
- Certified Forklift Operator/Trainer
- Certified Aerial Lift Trainer
- OSHA: 10-Hour Card
- Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas: 45-Hour Certificate: CAD/Pre-Vis, Theatrical Rigging, Automated Rigging, Lighting Tech, Automated Lighting, Sound Tech
- Ahern Rental: Certified Aerial Lift Operator
- NCLB Highly Qualified Teacher: English HOUSSE, Theatre/Drama by Major
- Dueling Arts International: Stage Combat
Timeline
On-call Stagehand II
MGM Grand Garden Arena
03.2009 - 03.2012
Theatre Director / Instructor / Technician, Performing Arts Project Facilitator
CCSD - Clark County School District
02.1994 - Current
Teacher Certification - English/Theatre
University of Nevada
Bachelor of Arts - Theatre
University of Nevada
Master of Arts - Theatre
University of Nevada