A little about me...
It has been my pleasure to have worked in the public and private school settings for over a decade. I enjoy every aspect of puppet theater. Within each residency I build in some time to open students eyes to the world culture of puppetry. It is not just for preschool birthday parties! For this reason, as well as the pure joy of creative expression, older students show just as much enthusiasm in my workshops as do younger ones.
My favorite moments are those when students are so intent with focus on their work that they forget anyone else is in the room, when they have a moment somewhere in the process when they discover a new skill they possess or a new medium for self-expression, or when they "get it", that is, the meaning of curriculum content or artistic technique.
I look for opportunities to offer genuine commendation for each and every student. While we work toward creating an interesting character or an entertaining and informative performance, my focus is generally more on the learning process. The goal is to have students take knowledge and skills from the class which they will continue to use.
And hopefully the teachers have as much fun as their students.
Training in the field of puppetry
Primarily I am self-taught through dedication to development of my craft and years of workshops with students of all ages. In addition, I received training through my Associates in the Arts courses in theater and visual arts as well as professional development clinics throughout the state of South Carolina, including The Tanglewood Project in Greenville SC, through which I received intensive training in arts integration methodologies and implementation.
Partners
My page with Engaging Creative Minds - click here
Charleston Marathon, a great way to support the arts in school - click here
On a personal note:
I have two children of my own. My son LOVES music, plays the Euphonium and is also involved in theater, creative writing, and any type of building project he can get his hands on.
My daughter is a visual artist. She enjoys painting, sculpture, and math! Getting her start in the Berkeley County STEP program, she plans to become a photographer.
I also have many nieces and nephews of whom I am ridiculously proud. :-)
I enjoy almost any live performance, music, plays, street performances, you name it... and quiet evenings with chocolates, my kids and our little dog.
Oh! Art and science in the kitchen is also a passion... you can check out my food blog at www.foodhighs.com. Sometimes, my art kids show up there too.
- Gina Bean
