Philosophy
Theater is communication. Theater is reconciliation. Theater is an act of witness and an act of testimony. It does not only exist in black box or on a proscenium, in the pages of a script or in the hands of powerful and rich producers and elderly ticket holders. The theater I'm interested in making and teaching creates power. By sharing the tools to embrace that power, we revolutionize the way students engage with text, with tradition, with representation, and with storytelling.
As a teacher, I am sharing tools, building a platform, and building skills in students. The skillset and mindset of a performer or theater maker can go far beyond artistic career goals, but can influence the way a student moves, speaks, thinks, feels, and represents themselves. It can help someone discover the creator in themselves, express their emotions, speak or act professionally, problem-solve creatively. My philosophy is to burst open the box of "shoulds" and "can'ts" and to reimagine new possibilities.
I believe in undertaking an anti-racist pedagogy that affirms the differences of each student's experience and identity, and invites all of us to learn and do better when we act from places of fear, hatred or ignorance.
Everyone has the power to make art. As someone who specializes in scrappy, DIY performance and video projects, I want to get my students working on what they are passionate about. In the words of one of my teachers, "less talk, more monkey." In other words, let's get our hands dirty with what we care about.
Teaching is an exchange. I am learning as much as I am offering. I center curiosity and growth because the learning of an artist never ends. I never presume to sweep into a community with answers. I'm joining a community of students to facilitate growth. I start where they're at (and where I'm at) and we grow together.
Student & Teacher Endorsements
"You have been an inspiration to our kids! Thank you so much for your time, energy, and art!"
-Jason Hayes, Sotomayor Theater Teacher
-Jason Hayes, Sotomayor Theater Teacher
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"I’m so thankful for all the time you dedicated to helping me and really bringing out the best in me. I really didn’t think I would do this project and you made me enjoy working on it. Thank you so much for the help this year, greatly appreciate it. <3"
-Justise, 12th Grader, LAHSA |
"Again, I would like to thank you for all you have done, this helped me in a way with my life."
-Edwin, 9th Grader, Sotomayor |
"I am so appreciative of the work, creativity and organizational work you put in to keep this work going... Seriously this would not have happened without your leadership which I am truly grateful for. You have a fine touch with the students, the perfect combo of high expectations and warm humor. Loved working with you and hope we can find a way to work together again."
-David Levine, LAHSA Theater Teacher
-David Levine, LAHSA Theater Teacher
Experience and Background
As part of the Community Arts Program (CAP) run by CalArts, I have been the Lead Teacher for the theater partnership at two high schools for the past three years. I developed the curriculum for this workshop run in collaboration with the LAUSD classroom teachers. Over the course of a year, we guide students through the process of writing and performing their own performance pieces. Past performance topics include teen depression and suicide, border camps, domestic violence, bullying, and transgender rights. Importantly, students always choose their own topics and write their own material. This program constantly affirms for me that theater is one valuable tool for students to find and use their voices.
I have also worked as a teaching assistant at CalArts for classes focused on activism and community at CalArts, and have a history of working with students in various programs aimed at nourishing their voices. Even in my job at an engineering firm, I began and ran a program that brought activists, artists, and creative thinkers into the business to speak about race, equity, and creativity. I always look for how communities can improve, how individuals can be leaders for accountability and growth, and how art can bring beauty and creativity into all situations.
| brenan_dwyer_teaching_resume.pdf |
Featured Student Work
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At the end of each school year, students in my CAP program performed their final performance pieces that they spent the year writing and rehearsing.
Usually this is a live performance, but for the past 2 years they have been virtual presentations.
You can view the Sotomayor 2021 9th Grade Performance Works here: https://www.sotomayor.la/9thwolf
The 2021 12th Grade LAHSA performance work will be posted as soon as it is final.
Usually this is a live performance, but for the past 2 years they have been virtual presentations.
You can view the Sotomayor 2021 9th Grade Performance Works here: https://www.sotomayor.la/9thwolf
The 2021 12th Grade LAHSA performance work will be posted as soon as it is final.
