Lisa Fenstermacher
Albuquerque,NM
Summary
Seasoned Director of Theatre Education with experience in curriculum planning, staff supervision, and production support. Strong in voice coaching, movement techniques, and ensemble development. Committed to building confident performers, effective teams, and engaging learning spaces. Experienced in teaching film, television, runway, and creative writing.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Theatre Education
Cottonwood Montessori
Corrales, NM
08.2018 - 07.2026
- Supervised teaching staff, coaching lesson planning, classroom management, and professional growth.
- Supervised teaching staff, coached lesson planning, classroom management, and professional growth.
- Led Montessori program operations, aligning classroom practices with child-centered education standards.
- Evaluated curriculum implementation, ensuring developmental goals and Montessori methods remained consistent.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Instructed students in acting techniques, vocal projection, movement, and stage presence.
- Collaborated with staff to plan productions, manage schedules, and support event execution.
- Supervised stagecraft activities, including props, costumes, and set coordination.
- Mentored students through auditions, character development, and collaborative ensemble work.
- Maintained safe rehearsal spaces and reinforced professional theatre practices and expectations.
- Implemented effective classroom management techniques to provide a safe, calm learning environment.
- Planned lessons to reflect group and individual student needs utilizing creative instruction.
- Exposed students to diverse content to build perspective in drama pedagogy.
Board Member and Performer
Aux Dog Theatre
Albuquerque, NM
01.2018 - 03.2020
- Advised fundraising initiatives, donor outreach, and grant priorities to strengthen revenue streams.
- Collaborated with executive leadership on programming direction, community engagement, and audience growth.
- Fostered collaboration among board members, promoting open communication and shared decision making.
- Collaborated with other board members to develop and execute programs and initiatives to advance organizational mission.
- Collaborated with cast and crew to support seamless show execution.
- Maintained vocal, physical, and technical performance standards across engagements.
- Coached newer performers on stage presence, timing, and rehearsal discipline.
- Enhanced audience engagement by incorporating dynamic performance techniques and innovative stage presence.
Theatre Educator
Growing Stage Theatre
Albuquerque, NM
08.2015 - 05.2018
- Directed classroom rehearsals, blocking, and performance preparation for student productions.
- Coached students on character development, projection, and stage presence.
- Facilitated audition preparation, script analysis, and ensemble collaboration exercises.
- Developed theatre curricula aligned with youth acting, movement, and voice instruction.
- Adapted lesson plans to support varying skill levels, learning styles, and age groups.
- Led production support activities, including rehearsal scheduling and backstage coordination.
- Evaluated student progress and delivered constructive feedback to strengthen performance skills.
- Implemented innovative teaching techniques to accommodate diverse learning styles, resulting in improved student comprehension.
- Cultivated a strong passion for theatre arts in students by implementing engaging and relevant lesson plans.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Theater Arts
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM05.2005
Associate in Child Development - Child Development
Central Community College
Albuquerque, NM05.1997
Skills
- Vocal instruction
- Voice coaching
- Acting methodologies
- Character development
- Script analysis
- Movement methods
- Movement techniques
- Theatrical design
- Speech techniques
- Acting methods
- Physical theatre
- Costume design
- Collaborative techniques
- Multicultural performance
- Collaborative process
- Student-centered learning
- Creativity and artistic expression
- Movement direction
- Creative strategies
Timeline
Director of Theatre Education
Cottonwood Montessori
08.2018 - 07.2026
Board Member and Performer
Aux Dog Theatre
01.2018 - 03.2020
Theatre Educator
Growing Stage Theatre
08.2015 - 05.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Theater Arts
University of New Mexico
Associate in Child Development - Child Development
Central Community College