Erika Wilhite, Teacher
Philosophy
As a teaching artist I strive to lead my students to all creative possibilities, inspire presence and receptivity, and encourage honesty in every given circumstance through performance. I believe that together we can grow and learn from our discoveries in the classroom, studio, rehearsal space, and on the stage as we examine the world through the lens of theatre.
Professional Experience
Farmington High School December - March 2010
Drama I and II and Speech II Teacher
Through a long-term substitute teaching contract, I taught 9th through 12th grades. In Drama I, my lessons ranged from tableau to improvisation, scene analysis and character biographies, and from open scenes to scripted scenes. Drama II focused on collaborative work and devised theatre. Our final project was series of devised performances.
Tricycle Theater for Youth November - January 2010
Acting Instructor “Creative Cats at Washington Elementary”
A weekly after school residency, Creative Cats drama class cultivated the creativity of its students through theatrical storytelling. The class was designed to develop communication skills, such as listening and responding; focus; and control of body and voice.Tricycle Theatre for Youth - October 2009
Acting Instructor "Drama Camp, RE Baker Elementary"
Developed theatre training for elementary students during a week-long intersession theatre camp. With the story The Sorcerer’s Apprentice as our frame, we explored theme, character and structure through the use of theatrical tableau.
Orlando Shakespeare Theater - June 2009
Acting instructor "Shakespeare Revelers"
Developed theatre training for children ranging from 8 to 10 using the language and stories of Shakespeare as a foundation for our work. Introduced rhetoric and paraphrase as tools for working with Shakespeare’s text.
Oklahoma Children’s Theatre July - August 2008
Acting Instructor “International Summer”
Developed theatre training for children from ages 5 to 12 years old. Explored the themes of French Fairy Tales by working with Lecoq mask and mime, tableaux vivant, and improvisational storytelling. During the week of Great Britain, we worked on ten minute Shakespearean plays, learned the basics of Shakespearean Rhetoric, and explored the themes of Irish Folk Lore through the poetry of the country. At the end of each week I created and directed short presentations that showcased the children’s work in performance.
Orlando Shakespeare Theatre August 07-May 08
Associate Company Member/Education Staff
Worked as an actor, teacher and administrator as partial fulfillment of MFA curriculum requirements. Developed curriculum and taught weekly Shakespeare acting classes to children from ages to 5 to 16 years old. Also went to area schools and taught Shakespeare Alive, a program designed to excite and educate children by teaching through interactive storytelling.
University of Central Florida
Theatre Instructor
Taught Fundamentals of Acting I and II for BA students using a Stanislavski based technique, the Method of Physical Actions. Introduced vocal and physical warm ups for the actor.
Taught Voice and Speech for the Stage, a course that, through specific exercises and techniques, explored the foundations and possibilities of the actor’s voice . The class focused on two parts of vocal training: deconstruction and reconstruction with the use of Linklater and Skinner techniques to strengthen the student’s personal voice and bring clarity and resonance to the spoken word.