The Atlantic Theater Storytellers Program began several years ago, initially with in-person components, but after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic the performing professionals started providing virtual sessions in which participating actors engage in community building through ensemble activities and theater games. Actors learn theater terminology, acting, and performance techniques. After eight sessions in each cycle, there is a final share with an invitation to family and friends to view the completed work.
Building off this success, the Atlantic Theater Teaching Artist internship program started during the second round of the Storytellers program in the Spring of 2021. The teaching artist internship is a paid opportunity for an actor supported by AHRC NYC to learn facilitation skills, practice leading activities, and support other members of the ensemble.
Tamara Jefferson, who is supported by Brooklyn Day Hab Without Walls, first joined as a teaching artist intern in the Spring of 2022 and continued on for a second session in Fall 2023. As an actor in the ensemble, Tamara showed natural leadership and dedication to the program, which made her an excellent candidate for the teaching artist internship. In her position, Tamara met with Hannah Allen, the Storytellers lead facilitator, to review and practice the lesson each week. This was also where she developed her contribution to the “actors warm up” – a breathing exercise done at the start of class. By the end of the program, Tamara led the breathing warm-up for the whole class and the audience during the final share.
Before each class, the whole teaching artist team gathers together to check in, practice games, and prepare for small group time. After each class, the team meets together to reflect on “grows” and “glows” from the session. Tamara contributed to each of these team meetings wholeheartedly. She brought a positive attitude and a willingness to jump in and support wherever asked.
Tamara is excellent at communicating and is always on top of her preparations. She would regularly check in to confirm details about the lesson plan and homework. Tamara showed so much growth throughout her two rounds as an intern. She took ownership of her responsibilities and was more confident giving directions to the actors and responding with thoughtful feedback. The teaching artist internship is an important aspect of the Storytellers program, as it supports individual and group growth. The intern has an opportunity to learn new facilitation skills and the group benefits from having a peer leader, all of which Tamara has more than done. Congratulations, Tamara!
