Written by artist educators Colleen Kilcoyne and Fran Silau
The Rose Theater is excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for classroom teachers and teaching artists of the Midwest!
The theater will host a professional development session titled All Children Can Play: Designing Instruction for Diverse Learners Saturday, August 27th, 2016 from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 PM located at the The Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam St., Omaha
This interactive workshop will present strategies and techniques for successfully addressing the social and emotional needs of students on the Autism Spectrum using the vehicle of musical theater. This hands on workshop will be led by Tessa L. Derfner, Coordinator for Arts Instruction for the Spectrum School in New York City Public Schools.
“This workshop will be a fantastic opportunity for classroom teachers, administrators, teaching artists, and parents, to gain new and exciting knowledge to engage young people in new and exciting ways. Tessa is a well-known figure in the theater education world, and we are honored that she is willing to share her insights with our community,” says the Rose Theater’s Accessibility Coordinator, Fran Sillau.
Derfner’s work in the arts and special education is highlighted in the documentary SPECTRUM OF HOPE that has been presented with: the National Inclusion Project at the National VSA Conference, the Pratt Institute, ArtsConnection, and the NYC Department of Education. She and her school are the recipients of: the Music Theatre International COURAGE IN THEATER Award; The Junior Theater Festival SPIRIT OF THE FESTIVAL Award and BEST ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE Award; the BROADWAY JR. FREDDIE G. Award; the New-York Historical Society AMERICAN MUSICALS PROJECT Award; and the NYC MAYOR’S AWARD FOR ARTS & CULTURE, presented by Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Prior to her career in education, Tessa excelled as a theatrical producer, director, and playwright in Off-Broadway and Off-Off Broadway theaters. Not only was she the Company Manager for the Lincoln Center Festival and the Henson International Festival of Puppet Theatre, but she also served as manager for singer Diamanda Galás. Tessa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies from Barnard College, a Master of Fine Arts degree in Fiction Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and a Master of Education degree from Mercy College.
The workshop is made possible through a professional development contract with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Admission to the workshop is free, but space is limited so reservations are needed.