Core Pedagogical Beliefs
Show up
As a theatre performance teacher, there is no better teacher than the space itself. I encourage all my students to show up to the best of their abilities. This might look like zoom attendance, or sitting out and watching, however, I believe that actively showing up still offers a valuable learning opportunity. I model failure, imperfections and a sense of play in my classrooms to encourage students that there is no such thing as a ‘perfect’ performance. I have found the fear of needing to ‘get it right’ inhibits preparation and class explorations. I invite my students to play, challenge, and discover new ideas and sensations through the process of showing up to create in the spaces we occupy.
Be Present
I want my students to be where they are. To not simply play for an idea or a sound of what they previously sounded like or what they want to be like in the future. I utilize Fitzmaurice Voicework, Organic Intelligence work, Linklater Voice and imagination work, regularly and interchangeably in my teaching practice to give my students a tool kit that they can utilize both inside the classroom and on the stage and screen in search of being present in the work.
Create Visibility
I constantly strive to make my classrooms a brave space for risk-taking, questioning, and discovery. Creating visibility requires selecting materials that represent each student’s identities in my class in hopes they feel seen in the work of the class. Using a feminist-pedagogy teaching model of having students speak as much, if not more, than the instructor in class creates more of an equal power dynamic between student and instructor. In turn, I have found that when students feel visible, they take greater risks, speak up more, and think more critically within the lessons.
Amplify Voices
As a speaking and singing specialist, I want my students to leave with healthy, supported voices. I believe in a versatile voice approach: One should be able to sing, wail, whisper, and speak in performances regularly, without fatiguing their voices. I utilize various play pedagogies in hopes of removing muscular-skeletal tensions and by freeing the body, aim to amplify the voice. Likewise, I strive to amplify margined and/or underrepresented voices in my pedagogy. This might include introducing students to lesser-known and diverse playwrights and composers. Moreover I hope to make sure all students in my class feel heard by strengthening my own listening, dismantling my systemic biases, and learning from my students experiences to better change my practices, continually.
Tennessee Governor’s School of the Arts
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Summer 2023
Musical Theatre Faculty
The Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts exists to provide high quality arts education for gifted and talented high school students in the state of Tennessee. The pre-professional summer curriculum includes individual and group instruction designed to help each rising 11th and 12th grade student explore and develop talents in music, ballet, theatre, filmmaking, or visual art during this three-week summer intensive. Students are selected in competitive auditions during the months of January or February.
University of Wyoming
Department of Theatre and Dance
Laramie, Wyoming
2022-Present
Assistant Professor of Theatre and Dance, Voice and Performance Specialist
THEA 1110: Acting 1 (Autumn 2022-Present)
Acting I introduces students to the study of the actor’s process with an emphasis on analyzing, rehearsing and performing scenes in front of an audience. The student will be introduced to exercises which promote creative expression. Scene work and scoring will focus on contemporary realism.
THEA 1110: Acting 1 Pathways to Prison (Autumn 2023)
An 8-week amended version of Acting 1 for Female-identifying prisoners in Wyoming. Taught on site, this class focuses on writing and performing monologues and uplifting the voices of those incarcerated to shine a light on the stigma of prison living.
THEA 1300: MT Workshop Voice and Acting (Autumn 2022)
Musical Theatre Workshop: Voice & Acting will focus on developing and strengthening the speaking and singing voice for stage, wherein students will construct performances through integration of breath and voice work.
THEA 2710: Voice and Speech for the Actor (Spring 2023- Present)
Voice and Speech for the Actor will focus on developing and strengthening the speaking and singing voice for stage, wherein students will construct performances through integration of breath and voice work. This course will introduce students to basic exercises from voice and speech practitioners: Linklater, Fitzmaurice, Lessac and Rodenburg.
THEA 3950: Advanced Speech and Dialects (Autumn 2023- Present)
Advanced Speech and Dialects will build upon the skills from 2170 to amplify a speaking voice for the stage without tension. Students will use IPA to score text and apply signature sound changes into various dialects, vocally support breath and text for screen acting and stage acting, authentically and intelligibly.
THEA 4330: The History of American Musical Theatre (Spring 2023- Present)
History of the American Musical from its inception to today. Emphasis on developments and literature. *USP 2003-2014 Code U3WC
*University Studies Program Human Culture needs to meet Student Learning Outcomes and Critical and Creative Thinking for Upper Division Classes
THEA 4720: Auditioning and Professional Aspects (Autumn 2022- Present)
Introduces actors to process of finding, preparing and executing successful audition material, including monologues, songs and dance combinations. Exposes actors to business aspects of the theatre world, including resumes, photos, contracts, unions, internships, apprenticeships, Equity Membership Candidacy programs, URTA’s and professional actor training graduate programs. Culminates preparation for final semester auditions for the company/school of choice.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2kQ2wZvwxCL0FzG7XUBwk8?si=Ucr6T6qBSPywkRNwExZhaw
West Virginia University
School of Theatre and Dance
Morgantown, West Virginia
2021-2022
Visiting Assistant Professor and Head of Musical Theatre
MUSC 120: The History of Musical Theatre (Autumn 2021)
This course explores American musical theatre, one of this country's primary contributions to world culture, covering its origins, components, and its major creative figures.
THET 240: Fundamental Vocal Technique (Spring 2022)
Pre-Requisite: BFA Majors only. Developing the expressive voice. Understanding the anatomy and physiology of the voice, breath and resonance. Release of physical blocks.
THET 242: Fundamentals of Movement, 4-Class Guest Lecturer on Composition (Autumn 2021)
An investigation into the fundamentals of human movement, and issues of movement in performance. Exercises concentrate on the development of spatial and self-awareness, ensemble skills, and character development.
THET 348S: Studio Scene Study 1 (Autumn 2021-Spring 2022)
The presentation of scenes chosen from modern and contemporary theatre, before a panel of acting, voice, and movement faculty for critique.
THET 355S: Musical Theatre Studio (Autumn 2021-Spring 2022)
Pre-Requisite: (THET 244 or THET 244S) and (MUSC 226 or MUSC 226S). Examine, explore and execute acting techniques and styles applicable to the musical through scene and musical performance study as well as classroom exercises
THET 401. Capstone Experience, Capstone Advisor for 5 BFA MT and 1 BA Theatre (Spring 2022)
This course provides a culminating senior project for students in the areas of BFA acting, musical theatre, design, puppetry, and children's theatre, as well as for the BA in theatre.
THET 447S. Studio Scene Study 2 (Autumn 2021- Spring 2022)
Pre-Requisite: THET 444 or THET 444S. The presentation of scenes chosen from Shakespeare and other plays of heightened text, as well as musical theatre scenes and songs, before a panel of acting, voice and movement faculty for critique.
THET 455S. Advanced Musical Theatre Studio (Autumn 2021-Spring 2022)
Pre-Requisite: (THET 344 or THET 344S) and (THET 355 or THET 355S). Presentation of scenes and musical performances from the American Musical Theatre genre (1960-Present) with instruction and critique from a panel of acting, music, and dance faculty. Students will examine, explore and execute acting techniques and styles applicable to the musical through scene and musical performance study and classroom exercises.
https://arts.wvu.edu/news/2021/09/07/faculty-spotlight-matt-greenberg
The Ohio State University
Department of Theatre, Film and Media Arts
Columbus, Ohio
2018-2021
Instructor of Theatre
THEATRE 2811: The Craft of Acting (Autumn 2018-Spring 2021)
An introductory acting class exploring the basic techniques of imagination, concentration, character development, and script analysis through work on monologues, scenes, and plays. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 280. GE VPA course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts course.
THEATRE 2100: Introduction to Theatre (Spring 2019-Spring 2021)
A study of the art and profession of theatre, with an emphasis on evaluating and appreciating live performance, theatre's cultural importance, and its relationship to issues of social diversity. Students study performance conventions, texts, & spaces from ancient times to present day. While not an acting class, students get firsthand experience in the collaborative process of theatre creation. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 2100H or 2101H. GE VPA and diversity soc div in the US course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts course.
THEATRE 3831: Movement and Voice (Spring 2020) In Person and Hybrid Teaching
Basic study and training in movement for actors, voice production, and whole body expressiveness.
THEATRE 4821: Singing Actor (Spring 2021)
An introduction to acting through song, this class provides practical experience in vocal performance through class exercises, discussions, observations, analysis, and scene work. This class aims to challenge experienced performers and provide beginning singers with a basis for further study in vocal performance and insight into their own potential as a musical theatre performer. Prerequisite: Theatre 3831.
THEATRE 3812: Acting 1-Stanislavski, Guest Lecturer (Spring 2020)
An intermediate acting studio exploring the Stanislavski basic acting technique of given circumstances, intentions, obstacles and strategies, in exercises, scenes and discussion.
DANCE 5190: Special Topics- Musical Theatre Dance, Guest Lecturer (Fall 2020)
Intermediate/Advanced dancers working with dance exercises from American musical theatre repertory.