Ursula Strauss

Highlights
• Friendly and professional communication skills. • Skilled in theatre arts administration. • Extensive background in fast paced environments and high demand organizations. • Experienced in working with diverse populations and young people. • Excellent organizational and office skills including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Filemaker Pro and Photoshop. • Serious “multi-tasker” • Collaborative worker and high functioning within a team.

Education and Training
Hampshire College, Amherst, MA; Received Bachelor of Arts in the Study of Liberal Arts, May 2009 Relevant coursework: • Advanced Theater Design • Theatre for Young Audiences • Advanced Directing • Storytelling as a Performance Art • Advanced Sound Design • Playwriting for Social Change • Theatre in Education for Social Change • Theatre of The Oppressed • Teaching Art to Children • Senior Thesis: Designing a non-profit theatre organization that works with incarcerated youth

Phoenix Outdoor, Asheville, NC; June 2006 Certificate in conflict resolution and mediation Certificate in Self Defense and physical restraint

Red Cross, Amherst, MA; January 2009 Certificate in CPR Certificate in First Aid

Carlbrook School, Halifax, VA; Graduated, July 2005

Experience
Member of Educational Policies Committee, September 2008 – February 2009 Hampshire College, Amherst, MA Student member of a committee to redesign the educational format of the first year (freshman) program at Hampshire College. Attended faculty meetings and facilitated discussion between professors, administrators and students.

Publicist, September 2008 – February 2009 Hampshire College mainstage production of K2 by Patrick Meyers, and Terrible Beauty From Mr. Plurality by Cameron Vokey and Ted Day, Amherst, MA Organized all publicity for two mainstage shows; designed posters and programs, corresponded with theatre communities in Western MA, worked collaboratively with design team and created electronic announcements using e-mail, school websites and Facebook.

Programs and Outreach Coordinator, June – August 2008 Inside Out Community Arts, Venice, CA Supported program staff by organizing site materials for theatre workshops with at-risk middle school youth. Responsible for communication between parents of youth participants and Inside Out staff, designed certificates and playbills, assistant to producer of two summer productions. Worked extensively on gaining connections and outreach with local businesses in the Southside of Los Angeles.

Hampshire College Theatre Community Contact, February 2008 – February 2009 Hampshire College, Amherst, MA Publicized Hampshire College theatre events and acted as liaison between guest performers and the campus community.

Producer, September – December 2007 Hampshire College mainstage production of The Birthday Party by Harold Pinter, Amherst, MA Created production team, organized production meetings, headed publicity and was responsible for budget statements and updates.

Program Coordinator Intern, June – August 2007 The Unusual Suspects, Culver City, CA Helped produce four original productions with at-risk youth, led theatre workshops and daily exercises, assisted in communication with youth correctional facilities, psychiatric wards high schools and community leaders, advertised upcoming shows, assisted with general office duties and designed playbills.

Actor and member of Educational Outreach team, April – May 2007 Hampshire College production of The Girl Who Fell Through a Hole in her Sweater, Amherst, MA Narrated a children’s theater show that challenged stereotypes and encouraged social change, justice and awareness; designed and facilitated creative drama activities for students age 5-11; created study guide for debriefing in the classroom.

Director of Burning by Susan Lori Parks, February 2007 Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA Directed, created rehearsal schedules, designed set and provided costumes for a small production.

Costume Designer and Wardrobe Mistress, September – December 2006 Hampshire College mainstage production of Crossing Styx, Amherst, MA Designed and constructed 8 costumes; coordinated, ran and assisted backstage dressing and costume changes for every show.

Teacher’s Assistant, September – December 2006 Hampshire College theatre course, Amherst, MA Co-directed 18 students performing individual monologues and ensemble pieces

Wilderness Instructor, May – August 2006 Phoenix Outdoor, Asheville, NC Worked with at-risk teenagers aged 13-18, facilitated therapeutic workshops, led day hikes, organized wilderness trip logistics, filed therapeutic records and worked with grounds maintenance.

Teacher’s Assistant, January 2006 Antioch University Community Psychology Graduate Program, Los Angeles, CA Took notes during each class, filed and organized student research, created contact sheets and designed classroom announcements via e-mail.