Peter Blackburn
Teacher, Lecturer, Tutor
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Qualified, experienced and enthusiastic educator with over 24 years' experience teaching across a wide range of environments and abilities. Worked in diverse educational settings across primary, secondary and tertiary levels in English, Humanities, Media Studies and Theatre. Teacher of acting at many prestigious training environments, and currently teach acting at Peter Blackburn Studio based in Hollywood. Taught for academically selective colleges at Melbourne University (Trinity College) in English, Media and History. Taught acting at the renowned Victorian College of the Arts at Melbourne University for 2 years in their selective 3-year Acting and Theatre-making Course and spent 4 years at The National Theatre Drama School in Melbourne teaching Acting and Theatre Studies.
Passionate about education in its many forms and the ways it enriches human endeavor. Enjoy teaching all aspects of English language, literature, grammar and theory. Strengths and particular interests include critical theory, cultural studies, media studies, creative writing, and theatre and film studies. Foster values of excellence, creative expression and empowerment through education. Teaching philosophy is one that recognizes the need to teach the student and not merely the subject. Intend enthusiasm for learning and teaching to inspire student interest, done through fostering individual engagement with the material. Dedicated teacher; willing to extend learning and understanding to cater to the particular needs of any academic environment or classroom. Adapted to the extremes of classroom environments in career thus far, from academically-selective environments to working with at-risk students who require special social, behavioral and scholastic care.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder - Head of Acting - Teacher
Peter Blackburn Studio
01.2021 - Current
- In early 2021 founded an actor-training studio in Melbourne, Australia and continue to run the studio since re-locating to the United States
- Teach and coach in-person in Los Angeles, and continue online classes and coaching sessions with professional and actors around the world
- Write and implement curriculum and syllabuses for each class
- Conduct classes in group settings and as a one-to-one coach
- Prepare actors for auditions, roles and navigating the entertainment and arts industries
- Mentor and guide actors while providing practical, industry and academically tested processes for their work.
Senior Teacher, Coach and Dramaturge
AAFTA (American Arts Film & Television Academy)
05.2022 - 05.2024
- Senior teacher, coach and dramaturge for Full Time Conservatoire students
- Director of Conservatoire Showcase events
- Teacher of Teen Masterclasses and Workshops
- Director of Teen Showcase events
- Teacher of various online courses including Empowering the Artist and Character Creation for up to 25 students in each class
- Planned, delivered and disseminated weekly 3 hour sessions of material covering history and contemporary practices of actor-training methodologies and institutions for individual and group classes
Casual Relief Teacher
ANZUK (Melbourne)
09.2017 - 03.2022
- ANZUK provides schools with exceptional casual relief teachers for variety of subjects to meet particular circumstances of individual schools. It is ideal for teachers engaged in practices outside secondary school teaching or who manage freelance careers, but who are qualified secondary school educators who wish to remain connected to teaching of young people
- Teacher of English, History, Theatre Studies and Drama on casual basis across various settings in Melbourne schools
- Provided expertise and consistency for senior teachers requiring planned absences over short periods
- Maintained excellent standards of subject delivery, pastoral care and support for students across many disciplines when their schedule is disrupted by planned or unplanned absences of regular teachers
- Ensured current teaching practice is effective for contemporary teaching milieu to ensure productive and comprehensive learning environment is maintained in variety of circumstances.
Lecturer and Tutor
Melbourne University, Victorian College of the Arts (School of Theatre)
01.2018 - 12.2020
- The actor-training course in the School of Theatre at Melbourne University's VCA is one of the world's most prestigious institutions. It has produced some of Australia's most recognizable and influential actors, and is embedded within an institution renowned for its prodigious output of leading artists across a wide spectrum of skilled disciplines
- Lecturer and Tutor in Contextual Studies, a core Unit for the Acting cohort in their second year of undergraduate studies
- Plan, deliver and disseminate weekly 3 hour sessions of material covering the history and contemporary practices of actor-training methodologies and institutions, as well as the significant dramaturgies of the past century in theatre studies and actor-training
- Set and mark assessments to the University of Melbourne's scrupulous standards of excellence
- Participate in collegial seminars and sessions promoting best teaching practices and leading insights, theories and practices in the arts, and the education of the arts, led by world-class academics and practitioners.
Acting Teacher
National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), Melbourne
01.2018 - 12.2020
- NIDA is one of the world's leading and most renowned acting institutions, with a long list of notable alumni. Its flagship acting course, run out of Sydney, remains one of the most exclusive training institutions in the world, and the Open Program offers students in other states, and of varying ages and abilities, the chance to work with esteemed practitioners on the craft as modeled and exemplified by NIDA training
- Teacher of up to 6 acting workshops and weekly classes per term for a broad range of ages and abilities with a focus on Stanislavsky's approach to acting, voice, improvisation and movement.
Acting Teacher
The National Theatre Drama School, St Kilda, Melbourne
09.2016 - 12.2020
- The National Theatre Drama School is Victoria's longest-established actor-training centre catering to a diverse range of abilities and ages in preparing actors for various stages of the careers or interests in the dramatic arts. The school offers a nationally-accredited acting program that prepares actors for the professional skills required to navigate the varied demands of the industry
- Teacher of 'Practical Text' script analysis and application classes for Advanced Diploma of Acting Course
- Teacher of 'Improvisation Technique' and 'Script Analysis' classes for the Preparatory stream of actors (adult short course)
- Teacher of acting for the 'Next Stage' intermediary acting classes (adult short course) in skills development and training
- Teacher of acting for 8 'Dramatics' classes per year across 4 terms in introductory and intermediate acting classes in skills development and training.
Tutor of English Literature, History, Cultural Studies and Education
Trinity College (Melbourne University), Parkville, VIC
08.2015 - 12.2020
- Trinity College is an academically selective tertiary institution that forms part of Melbourne University's historic and esteemed collegiate system. The college prides itself on excellence in educational support, offering rigorous tuition throughout the year for their students
- Tutor of English Literature, Film, Cultural Studies and Education
- Conducted intimate, catered discussion groups for deeper understanding of complex tertiary curriculum for up to 3 University Courses per semester
- Provided one-on-one consultations for specific inquiry, exploration and academic assistance
- Provided editorial advice, writing technique and skills-based coaching on essay writing, presentations and academic discourse
English, History and Drama Teacher
Red Bend Catholic College, Forbes, NSW
07.2014 - 12.2014
- Red Bend Catholic College is a co-educational combined boarding and day school in rural New South Wales with a strong focus on community values and the pastoral care of students in its care, particularly boarding students for whom the college takes added responsibility in managing their development as young adults in the world
- Teacher of subject History, English and Drama across Stages 4, 5 and 6 of the NSW Curriculum
- Assisted in school camps, sports activities and after school tutorial programs
- Directed the yearly school production (Lord of the Flies) with year 9 and 10 drama students.
Programs Co-ordinator / Teacher of Acting and Script Analysis
16th Street Actors Studio, Caulfield, VIC
08.2010 - 06.2013
- 16th Street Actors Studio is a profession training institution for actors. The studio conducts specialized workshops, master classes, seminars and industry-related presentations on a regular basis. It garners support from many of Australia's leading professionals in the entertainment industry and has achieved a reputation for excellence in actor training within the arts community
- Coordinator and administrator for all programs, courses, classes and workshops for the studio
- Liaised with teachers and tutors across all programs, providing dramaturgical and research support for both staff and students across all classes
- Collaborated on curriculum, training and teaching material with the Creative Director
- Conducted regular seminars and workshops on research practices, film studies and script analysis
- Co-teacher of Advanced Scene Study acting classes with esteemed acting teachers
- Composed and disseminated written material for the studio for purposes of communication, public relations, marketing, website and education
- Facilitated administrative responsibilities for the running of classes and programs conducted at the studio.
English and Media Studies Teacher
St. Paul's Catholic School, Buckinghamshire, UK
09.2008 - 07.2010
- St. Paul's Catholic School is a comprehensive secondary school in Buckinghamshire, England, catering to pupils from Years 7 - 13 with an ethos of inclusion, which places value on contributions of every student and member of staff
- St. Paul's also functions as a teacher-training academy which meant benefit from consistent, ongoing professional development promoting best teacher practice
- Teacher of junior (Key Stage 3), GCSE (Key Stage 4) and A-level (Key Stage 5) curriculum in English (Language and Literature)
- Lead Teacher of A-level Media Studies
- Specific training and experience afforded in the education of students with specialized needs, including those on the autism spectrum, visual impairment, and English as additional language
- Led Pastoral Care of Year 8 and Year 9 homeroom (registration) class
- Contributed to co-curricular development, including leading school camps, pastoral development residential retreats and the National Student Drama Festival
Education
Master of Arts - Directing For Performance
School of Theatre, Melbourne University (Victorian College of The Arts)
Melbourne, Australia12-2016
Graduate Diploma of Education - English Education
University of New England
Armidale, Australia10-2007
Bachelor of Arts - English and Film
University of New South Wales
Sydney, Australia04-2005
Skills
- Organizational Structuring
- Business Development
- Strategic Thinking
- Strategic Vision
- Client Relationship Management
- Professionalism
Personal Information
Date of Birth: 11/14/1978
References
- Robert Walton, Senior Lecturer (Melbourne University), +61 3 9685 9278, robert.walton@unimelb.edu.au
- Br. Michael Flanagan, Principal, +61 419 009 523, bromick4452@gmail.com
- Emma Fleming, Head of Acting, +1 (213) 725 8498, alabamaredux@gmail.com
Professional Development
- 2019: Recipient of a Mike Walsh Fellowship of $10,000 for commitment to Australian Independent Arts for Directing through NIDA and the Hayden Group (Sydney)
- 2019: Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (Victoria University)
- 2011 through to present: directed 21 professional independent theatre productions across Melbourne and in the United States [winning Best Director Award (Comedy) at the Los Angeles Stage Awards in 2016]
- 2012 through 2016: assisted eminent practitioners of craft on productions with renowned individuals and companies, such as Bell Shakespeare (with Peter Evans), the Australian Theatre Company Los Angeles (with Larry Moss) and Melbourne University (with Matt Scholten)
- 2010 through 2013: served as dramaturge and teaching assistant to luminaries such as Noni Hazlehurst and Kim Farrant in Script Analysis and Advanced Scene Studies – 16th Street Actor Studio
- 2009: achieved Qualified Teacher Status within the UK’s education system (1 year study and supervision) – Buckinghamshire, UK
- 2008 – 2010: Consistent training and professional development in Guy Claxton’s Building Learning Power (BLP) educational theories and practices – St. Paul’s Catholic School, UK
Certification
Master of Arts in Directing for Performance (Theater)
Post Graduate Diploma in Education (English)
Bachelor of Arts (English and Film)
Accomplishments
- 2019: Recipient of a Mike Walsh Fellowship of $10,000 for commitment to Australian Independent Arts for Directing through NIDA and the Hayden Group (Sydney)
- 2019: Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (Victoria University)
- 2011 through to present: directed 21 professional independent theatre productions across Melbourne and in the United States [winning Best Director Award (Comedy) at the Los Angeles Stage Awards in 2016]
- 2012 through 2016: assisted eminent practitioners of craft on productions with renowned individuals and companies, such as Bell Shakespeare (with Peter Evans), the Australian Theatre Company Los Angeles (with Larry Moss) and Melbourne University (with Matt Scholten)
- 2010 through 2013: served as dramaturge and teaching assistant to luminaries such as Noni Hazlehurst and Kim Farrant in Script Analysis and Advanced Scene Studies – 16th Street Actor Studio
- 2009: achieved Qualified Teacher Status within the UK’s education system (1 year study and supervision) – Buckinghamshire, UK
- 2008 – 2010: Consistent training and professional development in Guy Claxton’s Building Learning Power (BLP) educational theories and practices – St. Paul’s Catholic School, UK
Timeline
Senior Teacher, Coach and Dramaturge
AAFTA (American Arts Film & Television Academy)
05.2022 - 05.2024
Founder - Head of Acting - Teacher
Peter Blackburn Studio
01.2021 - Current
Lecturer and Tutor
Melbourne University, Victorian College of the Arts (School of Theatre)
01.2018 - 12.2020
Acting Teacher
National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), Melbourne
01.2018 - 12.2020
Casual Relief Teacher
ANZUK (Melbourne)
09.2017 - 03.2022
Acting Teacher
The National Theatre Drama School, St Kilda, Melbourne
09.2016 - 12.2020
Tutor of English Literature, History, Cultural Studies and Education
Trinity College (Melbourne University), Parkville, VIC
08.2015 - 12.2020
English, History and Drama Teacher
Red Bend Catholic College, Forbes, NSW
07.2014 - 12.2014
Programs Co-ordinator / Teacher of Acting and Script Analysis
16th Street Actors Studio, Caulfield, VIC
08.2010 - 06.2013
English and Media Studies Teacher
St. Paul's Catholic School, Buckinghamshire, UK
09.2008 - 07.2010
Master of Arts - Directing For Performance
School of Theatre, Melbourne University (Victorian College of The Arts)
Graduate Diploma of Education - English Education
University of New England
Bachelor of Arts - English and Film
University of New South Wales
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