For ten years, Izzie has taught and directed children and young adults in theatre. They love being able to encourage creativity, and encourage their students to push themselves in their own artistic journeys.

Columbia College Chicago (TA for Stage Combat II, 2019-2020)

Izzie worked within the stage combat department, assisting in the teaching of the techniques of unarmed, rapier and dagger, and broadsword. They worked toward developing teaching-specific skills that included: performing effective demonstrations, implementing class management techniques, and correcting techniques. They assisted faculty members with classroom exercises, performed the role of a peer leader in discussions and demonstrations, led portions of rehearsals in class, and engaged in individual peer mentorship and direction outside of class. Additionally, they met regularly with the course instructor outside of class and learned and evaluated skills for class preparation, facility/equipment preparation, and instruction-related research.

Lakeside Shakespeare Theatre (Lead Teacher, 2019)

Lakeside Shakespeare Theatre’s Education Workshops in Frankfort, MI aim to teach creativity and cooperation by exposing students to different ways to utilize their language, bodies and imaginations. Izzie taught and put together the Young Adult Workshop in 2019. Over the course of each the three-day workshop, students aged 12-14 learned the basics of understanding stage terminology, speaking in heightened language, and creating characters — as well as having fun by playing theatre games and interacting with other students. On the final day of class, the students performed on the Lakeside Shakespeare Theatre stage in front of an audience before one of the shows.

Columbia College Chicago (Teaching Practicum Student, 2019)

In 2019, Izzie participated in Columbia College Chicago’s Teaching Practicum class. The class engaged students in the theory and practice of teaching theater to youth. Izzie spent one class a week studying teaching fundamentals: classroom management, curriculum development, lesson planning and assessment as they relate to teaching performance skills. The other class was be spent in practice in youth theater programs in the Chicago area, specifically Collaboration and Voice of the City. They taught and observed their classmate’s teaching in the established, ongoing youth arts programs, and helped the students and Brian Shaw create a podcast of their work.

Upstart Crows of Santa Fe (Chaperoning/Supervision, 2018)

The Upstart Crows of Santa Fe is a program based on the practices and philosophies of the Young Shakespeare Players of Madison, WI (please see below). In 2019 Izzie chaperoned and supervised the children’s trip to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario. They have also sat in on many of their rehearsals and given direction.

International Shakespeare Center (Stage Manager/Travel Coordination, 2016)

The International Shakespeare Center (ISC) is dedicated to making Santa Fe a destination for world-class Shakespeare. They produce and support performances, provide education for people of all ages, and create opportunities for people to meet in community to read and discuss Shakespeare. In August of 2016, Izzie worked as a stage manager and travel coordinator for the repertory season of ISC in collaboration with Ducdame Ensemble, where they were involved in an immersive Twelfth Night in Meow Wolf's award-winning House of Eternal Return, the first play to be performed in that unique space.

Young Shakespeare Players (Director, 2010-2017)

The Young Shakespeare Players (YSP) is a program that produces uncut Shakespeare plays with actors aged 6-18 with an emphasis on textual ownership. Izzie started directing with YSP when they were 14. Early directing projects with the YSP include: Richard II, Cymbeline, King Henry IV Part I, King Henry IV Part II, The Comedy of Errors, G. B. Shaw's Saint Joan, G. B. Shaw's The Man of Destiny, Sid Caesar Comedy Workshop, and an original 10-hour adaptation of Our Mutual Friend.