Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Jen Sinnen

Chicago,IL

Summary

Creative and dedicated Theatre Educator with 7+ years of experience instructing students by creating and delivering innovative drama curriculum. Delivered lessons on Shakespeare, Improv, and Literacy Centered Creative Dramatics to students from Kindergarten to 12th grade. Experienced at building a program from the ground up and growing that program to have continuous success. Talented at building respect-based relationships with students and colleagues through communication and upbeat attitude.

Overview

7
7
years of professional experience

Work History

Theatre Teacher

Chicago Public Schools CPS
08.2023 - Current
  • Implemented effective classroom management techniques to provide safe, calm learning environment.
  • Exposed students to diverse content to build perspective in drama pedagogy.
  • Planned lessons to reflect group and individual student needs utilizing creative instruction.
  • Adapted teaching strategies to remain inclusive to diverse learning styles.
  • Produced 4 theatrical performances during the first year of employment.
  • Attended department meetings and collaborated with all homeroom and special education teachers.

Theatre Teacher /Department Director

East Chicago Lighthouse Charter School
10.2021 - 07.2023
  • Wrote, coordinated, designed, and directed multiple dramatic performances involving up to 100 students.
  • Planned class field trips to local performances and coordinated touring theatre companies to perform at school, in order to provide first-hand experiences and foster appreciation for theater.
  • Coordinated, raised funds, and executed bringing in Missoula Children's Theatre, KidWorks Theatre Company, and GreatWorks Theatre Company to work with/ perform for students.
  • Developed curriculum and lesson plans to structure classroom activities. This includes having several lesson plans and plays published by Drama Notebook.
  • Drafted, determined, and executed production budgets that included stage props, costumes, set materials and program books.
  • Communicated with parents to update on student progress and address concerns.
  • Executed and directed dramatic performances that engaged and captivated audiences, increasing drama performance attendance by 50%.
  • Facilitated multiple fundraising events, generating over $5,000 for drama program in the first two years.
  • Taught students theater terminology and performance skills while incorporating Shakespeare, Improvisation, life skills, literacy, science, and language comprehension.
  • Taught dual language classes to ELL students and incorporated simple Spanish/English reading and writing to performance pieces.

Touring Actor

National Theatre For Children
08.2017 - 10.2022
  • Performed up to six shows a day, at a maximum of three different schools.
  • Managed tour actor schedules, housing, vehicle maintenance, and travel schedules
  • Communicated with each school in regards to performance times, location, and modifications for certain audiences.

Teaching Artist

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis
01.2018 - 05.2022
  • Performed up to four shows at a maximum of two schools a day. (Romeo and Juliet / Comedy of Errors)
  • Executed four different types of workshops for students encompassing archetypes, literacy, story structure, and Shakespeare as a playwright.
  • Trained with Lincoln Center Theatre's Educational branch to help create and teach the workshops.

Building Substitute Teacher

Kenosha Unified School District
05.2018 - 09.2021
  • Created classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate to student maturity and interests.
  • Provided classroom instruction outlined in teacher's lesson plans.
  • Tutored students individually and in small groups to help with difficult subjects.
  • Enforced classroom routines to keep students on schedule and operating at consistent level.
  • Prepared objectives and outlines for courses of study.
  • Requested as substitute teacher based on excellent referrals and trusted performance, which resulted in becoming the building sub for the largest high school in SE Wisconsin.

Drama Instructor

Woodward School for Girls
01.2021 - 08.2021
KidWorksSinnen
  • Created and executed two six week courses based in theatre history, acting, and improv
  • Developed curriculum to support distance education and hybrid courses. During the Winter Intensive we learned the basis of Shakespeare and recreated A Midsummer Night’s Dream as a class in our own words via Zoom classes.
  • Summer Intensive: we learned the meaning of theatre through on stage and backstage. On stage we learned to perform a full scale play together, while working together backstage to create our own props, poster design, and learn how to market a show.
  • Coordinated and directed dramatic performances involving up to 60 students. Created the play "A Day with Shel" as a group which involved the physical story telling and performance of Shel Silverstein poems.
  • Observed and evaluated student performance and development and provided appropriate feedback on work.
  • Coordinated and facilitated training, encouraging group participation and ownership.

Teaching Artist

Missoula Children's Theatre
06.2017 - 08.2021
  • Worked contractually throughout 2017-2021, traveling to over 15 states, while directing/performing with over 1,800 students.
  • Cast, instructed, and directed 60+ students each week in a full scale musical resulting in two performances.
  • Oversaw scheduling and production details for 60 performances with 30 different communities.
  • Facilitated communication between Theatre Company and weekly community.
  • Oversaw construction and repair of sets, props, lights, and company vehicle.
  • Developed production schedules for each community based on what they needed each week.
  • Stayed calm and polished at all times, even during moments of extreme stress or when dealing with difficult situations, to accomplish professional goals.
  • Established pace of programs and sequences of scenes according to time requirements and cast and set accessibility.
  • Communicated approach, characterization and movement for scenes to minimize rehearsals and takes.

Education

Teacher Certification - PK-12 Theatre

Teachers of Tomorrow
Indiana
06.2023

Bachelor of Fine Arts - Acting

Webster University
St Louis, MO
06.2017

Skills

  • Curricula Writing/Planning
  • Project Management
  • Community Outreach
  • Applied Theatre

Timeline

Theatre Teacher

Chicago Public Schools CPS
08.2023 - Current

Theatre Teacher /Department Director

East Chicago Lighthouse Charter School
10.2021 - 07.2023

Drama Instructor

Woodward School for Girls
01.2021 - 08.2021

Building Substitute Teacher

Kenosha Unified School District
05.2018 - 09.2021

Teaching Artist

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis
01.2018 - 05.2022

Touring Actor

National Theatre For Children
08.2017 - 10.2022

Teaching Artist

Missoula Children's Theatre
06.2017 - 08.2021

Teacher Certification - PK-12 Theatre

Teachers of Tomorrow

Bachelor of Fine Arts - Acting

Webster University

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Jen Sinnen