Maddie Grissom
Teaching
My Philosophy
I will create theatre that is accessible to all. I will create a safe and organized environment that supports the ability to create and play.
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I believe every student is capable of learning. I work with students to support their needs, allowing students to feel safe within the environment created together.
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I strive to recognize and celebrate the different viewpoints that are brought into the room in every context.
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Theatre is a mode of teaching. I use theatre to teach academic lessons as well as "soft-skills" such as communication, leadership, empathy, and confidence.
Teaching during a Pandemic
Halfway in to my first year at The Rose Theater, the world looked very different and my job, like so many others, very suddenly went online. Those first few weeks and months felt so helpless. The only thing that kept me going was reminding myself that I am here to enrich the lives of students, whether that be in person, or online.
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I learned a lot about video editing, Zoom, Google Classroom, directing online, acting online, and connecting with students on these new platforms.
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While I cannot WAIT until I can be back in person with students, I am very proud of how much and how quickly I have grown as a Teaching Artists from March 13th when The Rose closed to the public, to now, heading in to direct my 2nd virtual production.
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For more information, check out my Rose Theater tab below!
My Experience
August 2019 - August 2021
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Starting as a Teaching Artist Fellow and continuing as a Teaching Artist, I have learned so much about my teaching style, Curriculum Enrichment, creating themed lesson plans, and have enjoyed working on the Accessibility Committee.
August 2015 - May 2019
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I went to UNI as a Communication Theatre Teaching major, taking many education and communication classes before changing my major to Theatre for Youth. Within my four years at UNI, I was given many opportunities to learn about education, create lesson plans, and teach different age groups and students with exceptionalities.
Summers 2013 - 2016
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During the summers of 2013 - 2016, I worked at Des Moines Performing Arts. Working my way from a camper to a Junior Counselor to a Teaching Assistant. I throughly enjoyed my time assisting in the production of shows for elementary age students.
Summer 2018, 2019
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Sturgis Youth Theatre is an inclusive summer camp ending in a full production of a Theatre with Youth Production. For the first summer, I worked as an Associate Program Director, the second summer I was the Production Stage Manager as well as Teaching Artist. As an Assoc. Program Director, I was assigned a group of students that became my "team" where I supported them in their acting needs.
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For information about her Stage Management experience, go to the Stage Management Page.