Sara Conlon

Courses taught:

• Introduction to Performance

An entry-level course that introduces students to foundational performance techniques, emphasizing presence, ensemble work, and basic acting exercises to build confidence and creativity on stage.

• Acting I

A beginning acting course focused on core acting principles such as objective, tactics, obstacles, and point of view. Emphasis is placed on active listening, truthful behavior, and moment-to-moment responsiveness.

• Acting III

An advanced acting course centered on scene work from modern realism, specifically the plays of Ibsen and Chekhov. Students develop nuanced character work, emotional depth, and ensemble collaboration.

• Acting Styles (Fall 2025)

A course exploring classical acting techniques with a focus on heightened text, rhythm, and physical precision. Students engage with period styles and classical playwrights to develop vocal and physical agility.

• Movement for the Stage

A physically centered course incorporating Viewpoints and Laban Movement Analysis. Students learn to explore and expand their physical expression as actors, developing spatial awareness, gesture, and ensemble movement vocabulary.

• Introduction to Theatre

An overview of theatre history, terminology, and practice. Students gain insight into the collaborative nature of theatre, including the roles of performers, directors, designers, and production teams.

• Interpersonal Communication

A communication course aimed at enhancing personal and professional relationships. Topics include active listening, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and communication styles across different settings.

• Oral Communication

A practical course designed to build confidence in public speaking. Focuses include speech organization, effective delivery, nonverbal communication, audience engagement, and research-based presentation skills.

Courses taught:

• Public Speaking (In-Person & Online)
• Interpersonal Communication
• Early College Public Speaking
• Introduction to Liberal Arts.
• Built relationships with students, mentoring on personal, professional and academic goals while providing coaching on effective study habits.
• Graded quizzes, tests, homework, and projects to provide students with timely academic progress information and feedback.
• Boosted class participation rates by fostering a positive and collaborative learning environment.
• Enhanced student comprehension by employing diverse teaching methods and incorporating multimedia resources.
• Encouraged class discussions by building discussions into lessons, actively soliciting input, asking open-ended questions and using techniques to track student participation.
• Adapted course materials to accommodate diverse learning styles, resulting in notably higher student satisfaction rates.
• Taught diverse student population by employing various learning styles and abilities.
• Created positive and safe learning environment for students by setting and enforcing classroom code of conduct.
• Created excitement and enthusiasm in classroom by delivering engaging subject matter.
• Built strong rapport with students through class discussions and academic advisement.

Courses taught:

• Acting
• Improvisation.
• Built relationships with students, mentoring on personal, professional and academic goals while providing coaching on effective study habits.
• Assessed students' progress and provided feedback to enhance learning.
• Created positive and safe learning environment for students by setting and enforcing classroom code of conduct.

Interim Instructor – Acting I & Voice and Movement
University of New Hampshire

• Stepped in mid-semester to cover for professor on medical leave, maintaining continuity and structure in core performance courses.
• Taught foundational acting techniques alongside voice and movement training rooted in the Lessac method.
• Guided students in exploring their creative impulses through full-body engagement and vocal freedom, helping them connect breath, voice, and physicality to text.
• Fostered a supportive, process-oriented classroom that emphasized mind-body awareness and authentic expression. Courses taught: Acting, Voice and Movement.

• Perform as a core ensemble member in both classical and contemporary productions, with a focus on socially relevant and community-driven theatre.
• Facilitate and perform in the Elephant in the Room series, using performance as a catalyst for dialogue around difficult social issues in schools, organizations, and underserved communities.
• Lead film and theatre-based workshops for troubled youth, using creative exploration as a tool for self-expression, confidence building, and emotional processing.
• Contributed to creative process through original ideas and inspiration.
• Participated in creative brainstorming sessions to develop new ideas or improve existing ones.
• Fostered an inclusive environment where performers of all backgrounds felt welcomed, supported, and valued as part of the team.
• Developed strong relationships with local community organizations, resulting in increased funding and support for theater productions.
• Innovated new methods of performance to increase audience engagement and word-of-mouth excitement.
• Obtained roles by studying parts and developing strong characterization.
• Rehearsed diligently to perfect routines and deliver top-shelf performances.
• Engaged with audiences to create memorable experiences at live performances.
• Performed live shows at various venues throughout region.
• Utilized improvisation techniques to enhance shows.
• Used social media to promote events and build audience.
• Coached performers to develop individual skills and fill gaps in group performance.

• Developed course curricula, designed lesson plans, and prepared tailored instructional materials for variety of performance courses and workshops.
• Facilitated interactive, hands-on learning experiences that encouraged active participation and deep engagement from all students.
• Cultivated supportive and inclusive classroom atmosphere that promoted open dialogue, creative risk-taking, and collaborative learning.
• Oversaw day-to-day operations of workshops and classes, ensuring projects were completed on time and met high artistic and educational standards.
• Increased overall participant satisfaction by consistently evaluating and updating workshop content.
• Established safe and conducive learning environment, fostering open communication and collaboration.
• Implemented creative problem-solving techniques to address unforeseen issues or challenges arising during workshop sessions, ensuring smooth execution and positive outcomes.
• Developed comprehensive workshop curriculum for optimal skill development among participants.
• Designed customized training materials tailored to specific needs of each workshop group.

Director, Theatre Camp – Sharon, MA

• Designed and led acting, voice, and movement classes for young performers, fostering creativity, confidence, and collaboration.
• Guided students through devised theatre projects and improvisational exercises to support original storytelling and ensemble building.
• Directed a fully staged student production, overseeing all aspects of the creative process from concept to performance.
• Created a dynamic and supportive environment where young actors could explore, take risks, and grow as artists.

• Taught introductory acting and movement workshops for bilingual Hispanic youth.
• Implemented effective warm-up routines to prepare students physically and mentally for each class session, optimizing focus and performance.
• Increased student confidence in their abilities by creating a supportive and nurturing learning environment.
• Facilitated engaging group exercises to encourage collaboration and creative problem-solving among students.
• Organized successful showcases for students to display their talents, attracting interest from local theater companies and casting directors.
• Planned lessons to reflect group and individual student needs utilizing creative instruction.
• Encouraged students to perform well and learn from failure.
• Exposed students to diverse content to build perspective in drama pedagogy.

• Acting
• Theatre 100 Performance Artist
• Resident Company Actor

Swampscott Rover Academy Film and Theatre Appreciation Workshop

• Utilized creative expression techniques such as film, music, and drama to encourage emotional expression and healing within students.
• Mentored fellow students in filmmaking techniques, fostering supportive learning environment within program.
• Increased engagement with creative visual storytelling techniques.
• Demonstrated adaptability when faced with unexpected challenges or changes during workshop.