CV
Sarah Ripper
AEA
OBJECTIVE
Use my experience and skills to further my career within a successful, nurturing, and positive working environment.
EDUCATION
MFA Directing - California State University Fullerton ‘17
MA Educational Theatre - New York University '13
BFA Musical Theatre - Sam Houston State University '04
HONORS AND AWARDS
October 2017--Stage Scene LA Outstanding Direction for The Drowsy Chaperone
May 2016—Recipient of the Ann and Doug Myles Directing Scholarship
February 2016—Finalist at KCACTF Region 8 Directing Competition (Hawaii)
February 2015— Runner Up at KCACTF Region 8 Directing Competition (Utah)
May 2015—Recipient of CSUF Theatre and Dance Department Meng Scholarship
EXPERIENCE
THE WAYWARD ARTIST—Associate Artistic Director
Co-Director/Choreographer of Godspell
Collaborated with Director, Craig Tyrl, with The Wayward Artist inaugural production. Helped stage scenes as well as choreographed musical numbers throughout the show.
CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE—February 2018 to June 2018
Director of Bye Bye Birdie
Collaborated with the musical director and choreographer to direct children and adults within the community.
OCSA—August 2017 to May 2018
Acting IV, and Experimental Theatre Teacher
Preparing the High School senior class for college auditions as well as their culminating project for the spring semester.
Guiding students to explore fun and expressive ways to approach storytelling including: mask, pantomime, physical theatre, poetry, and devised work.
CSUF—August 2017 to November 2017
Director/Adjunct Faculty
Directed the BA and BFA musical theatre and acting students at CSUF in their fall musical, Cry-Baby.
CSUF—August 2017 to December 2017
Theatre Professor
Taught THTR 475E World Theatre Musical Theatre History. Introduced over 100 musicals that represent the History of the American Musical Theatre.
CSUF—January 2015 to May 2017
Directing Professor
Taught THTR 370A- Fundamentals of Directing course. Guided students through the steps of textual analysis, presenting a directorial and design concept, and how to collaborate with actors and direct two scenes throughout the course.
PASADENA PLAYHOUSE--Februrary 2017 to May 2017
Assistant Director for Hold These Truths
Assisted director, Jessica Kubzansky, with remounting Hold These Truths at Pasadena Playhouse.
THE THEATER @ BOSTON COURT--Februrary 2017 to May 2017
Artistic Director Internship
Worked under supervision of Jessica Kubzansky and Michael Michetti, co-artistic directors. Learned the in's and out's of running a professional theatre company. Tasks included dramaturgical work, file and organizational work, aided in auditions, literary development, staged readings of new works, and post-production of the season.
CSUF—November 2015 to April 2016
Producer
Produced the NYC Musical Theatre showcase for the BFA seniors at CSUF for their performance at St. Luke’s Theatre NYC.
FORD’s THEATRE--December 13th, 2015 to February 21st, 2016
Assistant Director
Conducted Dramaturgical research, organized filming session, and Assisted Mark Ramont’s direction of The Glass Menagerie.
CSUF – August 2014 to December 2016
Director & Assistant Director at CSUF
Directed Really Really in the Arena Theatre, Dancing at Lughnasa in the Hallberg Theatre, The Merry Wives of Windsor in the Young Theatre, and The Drowsy Chaperone in the Little Theatre as the Graduate Directing Student.
Assistant Directed The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail in the Young Theatre under Director, Mark Ramont.
WSC AVANT BARD —April 4th, 2014 to June 1st, 2014
Choreographer
Created and taught movement for the original glam rock musical, NERO PSEUDO, directed by Patrick Pearson, which premiered at DC’s Fort Fringe-The Shop.
ACTING OUT! — September 2013 to July 25th, 2014
Teaching Artist
Taught singing, movement, and acting to students ranging from 5-16 years old. Also, directed the students in an end of the year show. Coached students to audition for performing arts school and taught the musical theatre summer workshop.
NYU STEINHARDT—September to November 3rd, 2013
Co-Choreographer
Collaborated and co-choreographed with Dr. Amy Cordelione on Deborah Zoe Laufer’s world premiere musical, META at NYU Steinhardt.
THEATRIX NEW PLAY FESTIVAL—March 2013 NYU Steinhardt
Director/Choreographer
Choreographed and directed the original short musical, Anagram written by Micaela Blei.
DANCE.LAUGH.LEARN -- January 25th, 2013 to May 30th, 2013 New York, NY
Teaching Artist
Taught music, musical theatre movement, ballet, hip-hop, and sign language to children from ages 2-10 at different facilities within the tri-state area.
NYU STEINHARDT--- Fall 2012
Teacher's Assistant & Guest Lecturer
Prepared/taught lessons and assisted Dr. Amy Cordileone for the Methods and Materials of Research class taken by Graduate Students at NYU. Prepared and taught a Process Drama lesson as a Guest Lecture for the Methods of Creative Drama class taken by Graduate and Undergraduate Students at NYU taught by Dr. Jonathan Jones.
DICAPO OPERA THEATRE--2009 to 2012 New York, NY
Volunteer
Various jobs, which included organizing and filing papers, house managing, running coat check, bartending, light board operation, and monitoring auditions.
(*Dicapo is now part of New York City Opera)
US PERFORMING ARTS---June 2010 to July 2010 USPA Camp
Company Manager
Ran and organized a Performing Arts Camp for Teenagers in New York, and Miami. Duties included: maintaining the schedule, working and welcoming professional artists, balancing the camp budget, watching over students, transportation, activities, and maintaining the integrity and professionalism of the camp
AMERICAN GIRL PLACE THEATRE---June 2006 to August 2006 New York, NY
Wardrobe Variable
Worked behind the scenes with costuming for productions. Dressed the performers for quick changes, stitching/fixing costumes, laundry duty, and maintaining the look of the costumes and wigs.
THE ALLEY THEATRE---June 2002 to August 2002 Houston, TX
Telecommunication/Sales
Worked directly with sponsors/donors on the phone with fundraising, and ensured patrons of proper selection of theatre packages.
SKILLS
KCACTF certified respondent, Musical Theatre performance, computer sufficient in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, E-mail and Adobe programs, proud member of Actors’ Equity Association, works well with students of all ages and learning abilities, is a fast learner, has common sense, and follows directions well. Great at motivating others, emits positive energy, is humorous, and rises to challenges.