Jen Sinnen
Chicago,IL
Summary
Creative and dedicated Theatre Educator, Producer, and Artist with 6+ years of professional theatre education experience. With a proven track record of fostering creativity and learning in young minds, I bring expertise in curriculum development, ensemble-based teaching, and educational program management. As a collaborative leader committed to promoting inclusivity and equity, I am eager to contribute to the advancement of educational initiatives that enrich the lives of students and communities through the transformative power of theatre.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Theatre Teacher
Chicago Public Schools, Fuller Elementary
Chicago , IL
2023.08 - Current
- Conceptualized and executed large-scale ensemble projects involving 300 students, creating a Living History Museum where each student portrayed a unique historical figure with meticulously tailored research, monologue composition, and immersive presentations.
- Established the foundational elements of a theater program and ensemble-based learning during the inaugural year of teaching, culminating in two student performances annually.
- Managed a diverse student body across 12 classes, totaling over 300 students aged 5-14, implementing differentiated instruction to accommodate individualized needs, including students with IEPs, 504 plans, and ELL backgrounds.
- Authored and published theatre curriculum tailored to meet educational standards, student requirements, and interests.
- Collaborated with fellow educators on integrating theatre into other subjects such as English literature, history, and geography.
Artistic Producer
Olde School Shakespeare Collective
Chicago , IL
2022.09 - Current
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously while meeting tight deadlines.
- Participated in brainstorming sessions to think creatively about fresh new formats and products.
- Created detailed project plans outlining timelines, milestones and deliverables.
- Established relationships with vendors to secure services at competitive rates.
- Provided feedback to creative teams on ways to improve existing projects.
- Conducted meetings to discuss production progress and attain production objectives.
- Compiled scripts, program notes and other material related to productions.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
- Oversaw day-to-day operations of the organization including personnel management, program development and implementation.
- Coordinated with other departments to ensure successful completion of projects within established timelines and budgets.
- Analyzed data collected from various sources in order to identify trends or areas requiring further investigation or action.
- Participated actively in decision making processes at a high level within the organization.
- Led and drove collaboration with internal teams and partners to meet expected timelines, budget and quality standards.
Theatre Teacher /Department Director
East Chicago Lighthouse Charter School
East Chicago , IN
2021.10 - 2023.06
- 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
Minneapolis , MN
2017.08 - 2022.10
- Performed up to six shows a day, at a maximum of three different schools
- Was a team of two responsible for finding housing, scheduling, contracting, and following up with schools. Working collaboratively communicating with the company and home office throughout the tour.
- Managed tour itineraries to ensure timely arrival at each destination.
- Prepared detailed reports on tour performance after completion of each trip.
- Served as a point of contact between customers and other personnel involved in the tour operation.
Teaching Artist
Shakespeare Festival St. Louis
St Louis , MO
2018.01 - 2022.05
- 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
Kenosha , WI
2018.05 - 2021.09
- 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
Boston , MA
2021.01 - 2021.08
- 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
Missoula , MT
2017.06 - 2021.08
- 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
Illinois Licensed Teacher -
IBSE #1376647
Bachelor of Fine Arts -
Webster University
Skills
- Life Long Learner and Enthusiastic Collaborator
- Curriculum Writing and Development
- Project Management
- Program Development
- Community Outreach
- Professional Networking
- Team Collaboration and Leadership
- Event Planning
Timeline
Theatre Teacher
Chicago Public Schools, Fuller Elementary
2023.08 - Current
Artistic Producer
Olde School Shakespeare Collective
2022.09 - Current
Theatre Teacher /Department Director
East Chicago Lighthouse Charter School
2021.10 - 2023.06
Drama Instructor
Woodward School for Girls
2021.01 - 2021.08
Building Substitute Teacher
Kenosha Unified School District
2018.05 - 2021.09
Teaching Artist
Shakespeare Festival St. Louis
2018.01 - 2022.05
Touring Actor
National Theatre For Children
2017.08 - 2022.10
Teaching Artist
Missoula Children's Theatre
2017.06 - 2021.08
Illinois Licensed Teacher -
IBSE #1376647
Bachelor of Fine Arts -
Webster University
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