Applied Performance

In 2017, I began facilitating simulation-based communication skills training for healthcare workers. In these workshops, clinicians had the opportunity to practice difficult conversations in a safe environment using drama-based methods. This work completely transformed my understanding of what theater can do. Since then, my work in this area has expanded into a diverse body of applied theater practice and an ongoing research agenda. Below, you can learn more about my pedagogical research exploring theater curricula for civic engagement and social change, as well as my applied performance work in the field.

In July 2025, I chaired a roundtable at the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE) summer conference titled Pedagogy of the Medical Performer: Training Acting Students for Employment in Healthcare. The discussion brought together scholars from multiple institutions to examine methods and best practices for preparing students to work in simulation-based training in clinical environments.

During my graduate training at the University of Pittsburgh, I developed a practice-based research agenda focused on the intersection of acting and civic engagement. This work culminated in a thesis documenting the development and implementation of a semester-long undergraduate course, Actor-Citizen: Applied Performance for the Here and Now. The project examined the pedagogy of applied theater and argued for its broader inclusion in higher education.

I currently serve as a core member of the KARE Actors, a team that supports continuing medical education for The Permanente Medical Group. During my tenure, I have worked with more than 1,000 clinical providers to cultivate stronger clinical communication skills through simulation-based training and coaching.

From 2023 to 2025, I contracted with Bi-Jingo to facilitate immersive role-play and rehearsal-based learning sessions for leaders, managers, and teams at organizations including Visa, Google, Netflix, BlackRock, Moloco, Celestial AI, and Monovate.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse