As a young theatre design student heading out of Sarasota’s Visual and Performing Arts high school, my path seemed clear heading off to college. 4 years studying at DePaul University, head off to a great graduate program and then start my career quickly in NYC or LA. I was sidetracked in college as I started working at Northwestern University’s National High School Institute during the summer break. I fell in love with teaching the arts and found myself on a new path.

I started teaching during my senior year of undergrad at Francis W. Parker in Chicago and within a couple of years of graduation, I was back home in Florida helping open and create the first theatre design/tech program at Howard W. Blake Performing Arts High school. Now 27 years later I am back again in Tampa, just a short walk away from that school and so excited to continue the legacy of Theatre Design/Tech at Tampa Prep.

Over those 27 years, I have earned my MFA in Design, taught in Massachusetts and NC, owned a successful architectural and event design/fab business, worked as an Art Director on concerts, live television events, and Super Bowl halftime shows, and most recently served as a Design Manager in Orlando, working on Theme Park Scenic Design/Fabrication.

Throughout my career, I have always found myself pulled back to education. The same passion that pulled me into this career in the mid 1990’s still seems to have the same power over me…and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to continue to grow here at Tampa Prep.