MATT OMASTA
theatre artist / scholar
CURRICULUM
VITAE
Education
Degrees Earned
Arizona State University
Doctor of Philosophy: Theatre, 2009
Emerson College
Master of Arts: Theatre Education, 2006
Ithaca College
Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude: Drama, 2001
Professional Training
Directing
Susannah Berryman, Courtney OConnor, Stephen Terrell, Melia Bensussen
Acting
Barbara Anger, Judy Levitt, Kathleen Donohue, Jeff McMahon, Joann Fayann
Educational Drama
Dorothy Heathcote, Johnny Saldaña, Bethany Nelson, Robert Colby
College and University Teaching Appointments
Providence College
Special Lecturer, Department of Theatre, Dance & Film, 2009-Present
TDF-101: Theatre Appreciation
This introductory course emphasizes the multiple, complex, and dialectic relationships between live performance and society by surveying dramatic literature as text and in performance from classic and contemporary canons, musical theatre, theatre for young audiences, ethnographic theatre, theatre for social change, and theatre traditions of traditionally underrepresented populations. Students also explore practical coursework in acting, directing, and design.
TDF-460: Dramaturgy & Criticism Tutorial
This tutorial explores the history, theory, and practice of dramaturgy and dramatic criticism, emphasizing dramaturgical practice. Students conduct production research and disseminate findings in production meetings, rehearsals, and via program notes. Students also critique professional productions in the styles appropriate for both popular publications and scholarly journals. Writing intensive.
Teaching Associate, School of Theatre & Film, 2006-2009
THE-220: Principles of Dramatic Analysis (Graduate Assistant, Dr. Rachel Bowditch)
This lecture and discussion based course introduces historical and contemporary performance theory and criticism by identifying, applying, and contextualizing principles and approaches to dramatic analysis. Students begin to develop, expand, and defend personal aesthetic and ethical philosophies of theatre and film.
THP-311: Improvisation with Youth (Introduction to Drama Education)
This studio course introduces principles of educational drama in theory and practice, with particular emphasis on storytelling, story drama, and process drama. Students design and facilitate multiple sessions for primary and secondary students, including a practicum with K-12 students.
THP-312: Puppetry with Children
This studio course explores puppetry across the curriculum, emphasizing the utility of the arts in math, English, science, and social studies classrooms. Students design, build, and manipulate puppets, and create original educational performances and/or lessons, including a practicum with primary school students.
THP-512: Puppetry Workshop
This graduate-level course explores puppetry across the curriculum. Students research the intersections of puppetry and education historically and/or in contemporary practice, and complete practical projects corresponding to those described in THP-312.
THP-594: Conference & Workshop in Child Drama
This individual study provides mentorship to graduate students preparing to teach courses in theatre and drama education.
THP-598: College Teaching: Puppetry
This individual study provides mentorship to graduate students preparing to teach undergraduate-level puppetry courses.
University of Rhode Island
Instructor, Department of Writing & Rhetoric, 2009-Present
WRT-106: Introduction to Research Writing
This writing-intensive course introduces qualitative research methodologies along with traditional research methods. Students read, analyze, and produce documents for contemporary audiences in both academic and popular styles.
Instructor, Institute for Liberal Arts & Interdisciplinary Studies, 2004-2006
WLP-101: Expository Writing: Affecting Social Change
This course explores the processes, purposes and strategies of persuasive writing. The course is rooted in service-learning; students writing is based on their engagement with a variety of community organizations and extensive reading and discussion related to social justice.
WLP-121: Research Writing: Folklore & Performance
This course for performing arts majors explores the processes, purposes and strategies of research-based writing. Students explore performance of story from faerie tales to contemporary oral history, and research a performance-related topic of their choice at length.
TH-222: Ensemble Acting & Performance (Graduate Assistant, Prof. Kathleen Donohue)
This advanced studio course for Acting majors employs ensemble techniques that explore theatres collaborative nature to devise and perform a scripted ensemble performance inspired by plays from the Ancient Greek canon.
Publications
Articles - Juried
"The TYA Contract: A Social Contractarian Understanding of Obligations between Theatre for Young Audiences Companies and their Constituents." Youth Theatre Journal 23.2 (2009): 103-115.
Articles - Invited and Commissioned
"Performing Statehood in Theatre for Young Audiences." Youth Theatre Journal 22 (2008): 139-141.
"Exploring Questions / Journeying On: The AATE Youth Theatre Network Retreat." AATE Dialogue 7.1 (2007)
Book Chapters
"Constructing Good and Evil at the 'Happiest Place on Earth.'" Children under Construction: Critical Essays on Play as Curriculum. Ed. D. Chappell. Peter Lang, 2010. (In press)
Performance and Book Reviews
Book Review: Performing Childhood in Early Modern Theatre by Edel Lamb. Theatre Journal 24.3 (2010). (Commissioned)
Performance Review: The American Girls Revue. Theatre Journal 60.2 (2008): 303-306.
Plays
Gathering Blue: A dramatic adaptation of the novel by Lois Lowry
(In publication negotiations with Dramatic Publishing)
Touring production by Highland HS, Salt Lake City, directed by John Newman (2009)
Performed as a staged reading in Boston (2006); Atlanta, directed by Jeremy Kissling (2008);
and Indianapolis, directed by Bonnie Mill (2009)
Winner of AATEs Unpublished Play Reading Project Award
Bonderman National Playwriting for Youth Competition Semifinalist
Books in Progress
"Playful Performances / Performing through Play: Adults' Identity Construction and Performance through Play."
(Edited essay collection; prospectus in progress for submission to Routledge)
"Child Star: The Cultural Construction of Young Actors from Elsie Leslie to Zac Efron."
(Monograph in early stages of research)
Conference Presentations & Lectures
Juried Conference Presentations
Association for Theatre in Higher Education: Los Angeles, 2010 (Under Review)
American Alliance for Theatre & Education: San Francisco, 2010 (Accepted)
American Educational Research Association: Denver, 2010 (Accepted)
American Society for Theatre Research: San Juan, 2009
Association for Theatre in Higher Education / AATE: New York, 2009
Comparative Drama Conference: Los Angeles, 2009
American Society for Theatre Research: Boston, 2008
American Alliance for Theatre & Education: Atlanta, 2008
International Theatre for Young Audiences Research Network: Adelaide, Australia, 2008
American Society for Theatre Research: Phoenix, 2007
New England Theatre Conference: Waterville Valley, NH, 2007
Social Theory, Politics & the Arts: New York City, 2007
American Alliance for Theatre & Education: Vancouver, Canada, 2007
International Drama Educators Association World Congress: Hong Kong, China, 2007
ARTSWORK Colloquium: Tempe, Arizona, 2007
Comparative Drama Conference: Los Angeles, 2007
Southeastern Theatre Conference: Atlanta, 2007
Invited Conference Presentations and Facilitation
American Alliance for Theatre & Education / ATHE: New York, 2009
Jonathan Levy Symposium on Ethics & the Representation of Childhood: Tempe, 2009
University of Pittsburgh Symposium on Theatre and Cognitive Studies: Pittsburgh, 2009
Arizona Thespian Conference: Phoenix, 2006
Invited Lectures
New York University: Methods and Materials of Research in Educational Theatre, 2010
"A Pragmatic Approach to Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research"
Estrella Mountain Community College: The Art of Storytelling I & II, 2009
"Assessing Storytelling"
Arizona State University: Trends in Theatre for Youth, 2008
Theatre for Young People Prior to the Twentieth Century
Multiculturalism and Theatre for Young Audiences
Editorial and Research Appointments
Youth Theatre Journal
Assistant Editor, 2007-2009
Coordinate editorial board membership & correspondence, supervise a double-blind peer-review process, and oversee document quality and layout with the publisher.
Research Associate / Symposium Coordinator, 2008-09
Facilitate the planning and implementation of ASU's symposium: "The Ethics of Representing Childhood: Popular Culture, Performance and Pedagogy." Coordinate keynote and targeted scholar agendas; compile and edit a comprehensive manuscript on the symposium theme.
Research Associate for the Child Drama Collection, 2006-07
Process new collections, organize documents and images, provide faculty support, prepare showcases and presentations, and develop a Finding Guide for the Graffiti Theatre Collection.
Research Assistant for the New Pathways Program, 2004-06
Process, organize, and digitize archival documents and images; perform community outreach; and develop historical document sets made available for educational purposes.
Competitvely Selected Grants and Awards
AERA Arts & Learning Outstanding Dissertation Award, 2010
ASU/GPSA Teaching Excellence Award, 2009
Arizona Community Foundation Ernst & Irmgard Moller Scholar, 2008-09 ($10,000)
ASU/GPSA Outstanding Service Award, 2009
Bonderman Ntl. Youth Theatre Playwriting Symposium Semifinalist (forGathering Blue), 2009
ASU/GPSA JumpStart Research Grant, 2009
AATE Unpublished Play Reading Project Award (forGathering Blue), 2008
Arizona Commission on the Arts Professional Development Grant, 2008
American Society for Theatre Research (ASTR) David Keller Grant, 2008
Lin Wright Endowed Fellowship in Theatre for Youth, 2007-08
ASU Theatre & Film Special Talent Award, 2007-08
Rita Criste Fellowship in Theatre, 2007, 08, 09
ARTSWORK Research Award: Children & the Arts, 2007
Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) Robert Porterfield Graduate Award, 2007
Earl A. & Lenore H. Tripke Professional Workshop Award, 2007
ASU/GPSA Assembly Member of the Year for Exemplary Service, 2007
ASU University Graduate Fellowship, 2006-07
ASU Division of Graduate Studies Grants, 2006, 07, 08, 09
Emerson College Commitment to Service Learning Award, 2006
Emerson College Professional Development Grant, 2006
Emerson College Service Learning Seed Grant, 2005
Elected Leadership Positions
American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE)
Co-Chair: College/University/Research Network, 2008-Present
Facilitate all Network functions and foster communication. Vet session proposals for the annual conference, coordinate and chair a debut panel for emerging scholars.
Co-Chair, New Guard Network, 2006-2008
Foster opportunities for mentoring, coaching, and career exploration for new members to the Alliance and the field. Collaboratively and independently develop and facilitate conference-wide sessions.
American Society for Theatre Research (ASTR)
Executive Committee (EC) Member, 2008-2009
Deliberate and vote on issues pertinent to the steering of the Society.
President, Graduate Student Caucus (GSC), 2008-2009
Lead all GSC initiatives including dissertation support groups, conference assistance, mentorship programs, and fundraising. Liaise between the graduate membership and the EC.
Arizona State University Graduate & Professional Students Association (GPSA)
Assembly President, 2007-2009
Chair the GPSA Assembly; liaison with the University President and administration on behalf of ASUs 13,000 graduate students. Manage a $750,000 budget to ensure equitable distribution of support to students across the disciplines. Oversee two competitive travel grant programs, a peer-reviewed research grant program, and a teaching excellence award program.
Service
Service to Professional and Scholarly Organizations
American Alliance for Theatre & Education
Diversity and Multiculturalism Committee, 2006-Present
Long- and short-term planning of initiatives to advance the Alliance's commitment to pluralism.
State Representative for Arizona, 2006-2007
Serve as the primary liaison between the Alliances national office and local membership.
Membership Committee, 2006-07
Devise and implement recruitment and retention strategies.
American Society for Theatre Research
Ad hoc Committee on the Committee on Conferences, 2010-Present
Appointed by the President to assess the role and function of the Committee on Conferences and to make recommendations for its continuation/alteration/discontinuation.
Committee on Graduate Student Funding, 2007-08
Assess and recommend opportunities for graduate student funding for research & travel.
American Educational Research Association
Annual Conference Panel & Paper Reviewer, 2009-Present
Assess paper and session submissions and provide substantive feedback for acceptance decisions.
Arizona Association for Theatre Scholarship & Service
President, 2006-2009
Provide leadership and vision for the organization; direct a monthly theatre symposia series.
Service to Academic Institutions
Registrars Advisory Committee, 2006-07
Advise the Registrar on registration, graduation requirements, scheduling, and related issues.
Arizona State University Graduate & Professional Students Association
Co-Chair, ASASU Conference Committee, 2007-2009
Assembly Member for the College of the Arts, 2006-07
Chair, Budgeting Committee, 2006-07
Chair, Government Operations Committee, 2006-07
Service to Theatres, Schools and Community Organizations
AmeriCorps / Mt. Hope Learning Center
Corps Member for Drama and Theatre
Teach drama/theatre courses at multiple urban, ethnically and economically diverse school sites. Partner with corps members to expand arts integration in AmeriCorps initiatives.
City Theatre - Pittsburgh, PA
Young Playwrights Literary Committee / Script Adjudicator, 2009-Present
Evaluate play script submissions from young playwrights. Provide summative assessment for selection purposes along with formative assessment to assist playwrights with future development.
Arizona Thespian Conference
Adjudicator State Finals, High School, 2009
Assess and determine awards for teacher and student-directed one act productions.
Emerson College High School Drama Festival
Guest Artist, 2006
Lead acting workshops, lead discussions with students interested in pursuing careers in theatre arts.
National Forensics League
Adjudicator - New England District, 2005-2006
Evaluate student participants' performances in extemporaneous public speaking competitions.
Pre-Collegiate Teaching Appointments
Martin Luther King Elementary School, Providence
Drama/Theatre Specialist, 2009-Present
Teach enrichment classes in theatre, drama, and puppetry for grades K-5 in post-school program through Mt. Hope Learning Center / AmeriCorps.
Sophia Academy, Providence
Teach theatre classes and devise original performance piece concerning local issues with grade 5-8 students. Through Mt. Hope Learning Center / AmeriCorps.
Highland High School, Salt Lake City
Playwright in Residence, 2008-09
Lead workshops and discussions on playwriting while developing an adaptation of Gathering Blue.
ASU Herberger Institute Community School, Tempe
Lead Instructor - Theatre, 2006-08
Teach improvisation, puppetry, movement, and advanced acting for students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, including classes in an initiative for home-schooled children.
Hope Chinese School, Mesa
Teaching Artist - Creative Drama, 2007
Design and instruct interdisciplinary courses grounded in creative drama that develop students theatre skills concurrently with their understanding of social studies and cultural awareness.
Emerson College Summer Stage Program, Boston
Coordinator & Teaching Artist - Theatre, 2005
Teach acting, direct scenes and coach monologues in an intensive summer program for advanced high school students. Courses include voice & movement, scene study, and Shakespeare.
The Tremont Street Project, Boston
Playwriting Coach & Director, 2004-06
Foster imaginative growth and playwriting skills with urban elementary school students. Coach students in the writing of ten-minute plays for public performances with professional actors.
Creative Activity
Directing and Devising
She did it to my Sister (Working Title).
Original devised theatre performance with the students of Sophia Academy, Providence
Director/Deviser, 2010.
The Bully (Working Title)
Devised film performance with the students of Roger Williams Middle School, Providence
Voices from MLK
Original student-written plays. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, Providence.
Director / Playwriting Coach, 2009.
Unexpected Gifts
Devised film performance with residents of the Phoenix (AZ) Childrens Hospital
Deviser / Coach, 2008.
Insomnia and Sunglasses. By ASU Playwrights on Campus.
Director. 2007. Arizona State University.
Gathering Blue. By Matt Omasta
Director, 2006. Emerson College.
The Oresteia. Adpated by the Ensemble from Aeschylus.
Ensemble Coach, 2006. Emerson College.
The Mind/Body Dialogues. By Jennifer Campbell and Jessica Cunningham.
Songs for a New World. (Abridged). By Jason Robert Brown.
Director, 2005. Emerson College.
Sideways Stories from Wayside School. Adapted by John Olive from Louis Sachar.
Assistant Director, 2005. Cutler Majestic Theatre, Boston.
Waiting for Godot (Abridged). By Samuel Beckett.
After Miss Julie (Abridged). By August Strindberg.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (Abridged). By Tom Stoppard.
The Tremont Street Project. By student playwrights.
Co-Director, 2005. Coyote Theatre Company, Boston.
The Performative Body
Original devised performance with Emerson College undergraduates.
Directing/Devising Coach, 2005. Emerson College.
Dramaturgy
Dead Man's Cell Phone. By Sarah Ruhl. Directed by Beth F. Milles.
Post-show Talkback Facilitator. Trinity Repertory Company. 2010.
Twelth Night. By William Shakespeare. Directed by Brian McEleney.
Little Women. Adapted by M.G. Farrell and C. Madden from Louisa May Alcott.
Providence College Main Stage. Directed by Mary Farrell. 2010.
Talk Radio. By Eric Bogosian.
Providence College Main Stage. Directed by Paul Perry. 2010.
Cutler Majestic Theatre, Boston. Directed by Robert Colby. 2005.
Acting / Performance
Elementary, My Dear Walrus: A Mystery Play. By Hector Solis et al.
Oscar Tallman. The Manton Avenue Project. Directed by Nicole Maynard. 2010.
Squared Circle. By Mark Ailshie.
John Hughes. Emerson College. Directed by Mark Ailshie. 2006.
Seven Ate Nine.
Stewart / Grennings. Interrobang Theatre Company, Boston. Directed by Jeffry Gray. 2005.
Walt Disney Entertainment: Florida.
Non-equity Show and Parade Performer: Multiple Roles. Directed by Tara Anderson. 2002-03.
A Christmas Carol. By Charles Dickens.
Fezziwig. Firehouse Theatre, Ithaca, NY. Directed by Katherine Fleury. 2001.
Sleepers. Adapted by B. Levinson from Lorenzo Carcaterra.
Inmate. Warner Brothers Pictures. Directed by Barry Levinson. 1997.
Playwriting
See "Publications" Section
Administrative and Leadership Appointments
Emerson CollegeLearning Community Liaison, 2004-06Forge links between the classroom and co-curricular activities for the Performing Cultures Learning Community. Mentor the student leadership committee, advise capstone performance. Campus Visit Coordinator Graduate Admissions, 2004-05Assist with design and implementation of graduate student recruitment programs.Florida Studio TheatreAssistant Box Office Manager, 2004Lead box office and front-of-house staff of a three-theatre complex with 20,000 subscribers. Maintain vendor partnerships, analyze sales and attendance, and maintain budgets and databases.Walt Disney EntertainmentGuest Talent Coordinator, 2001Coordinate, supervise, and evaluate guest performances. Partner with guest directors, stage managers and technicians to ensure production quality and high performance caliber.
Learning Community Liaison, 2004-06
Forge links between the classroom and co-curricular activities for the Performing Cultures Learning Community. Mentor the student leadership committee, advise capstone performance.
Campus Visit Coordinator Graduate Admissions, 2004-05
Assist with design and implementation of graduate student recruitment programs.
Florida Studio Theatre
Assistant Box Office Manager, 2004
Lead box office and front-of-house staff of a three-theatre complex with 20,000 subscribers. Maintain vendor partnerships, analyze sales and attendance, and maintain budgets and databases.
Walt Disney Entertainment
Guest Talent Coordinator, 2001
Coordinate, supervise, and evaluate guest performances. Partner with guest directors, stage managers and technicians to ensure production quality and high performance caliber.
Teacher Certification: Theatre, K-12 (Massachusetts)Human Participants Protection Education for Research Teams Training Cert. (Ntl. Inst. Health)State of Arizona Department of Public Safety Fingerprint Clearance Card
Teacher Certification: Theatre, K-12 (Massachusetts)
Human Participants Protection Education for Research Teams Training Cert. (Ntl. Inst. Health)
State of Arizona Department of Public Safety Fingerprint Clearance Card
Professional Affiliations
American Society for Theatre ResearchAmerican Alliance for Theatre & EducationAssociation for Theatre in Higher EducationAmerican Educational Research AssociationAmerican Theatre & Drama SocietyEducational Theatre AssociationInternational Theatre for Young Audiences Research NetworkNew England Theatre ConferenceTheatre for Young Audiences/USA: The United States Center for ASSITEJ/International
Association for Theatre in Higher Education
American Theatre & Drama Society
Educational Theatre Association
International Theatre for Young Audiences Research Network
New England Theatre Conference
Theatre for Young Audiences/USA: The United States Center for ASSITEJ/International
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