Non-Profit Development and Organizational Management Specialist

LAURA BERNAS

*****.********@*****.***/716-***-****

Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY, Class-2013; Bachelor of Arts-Performing Arts, Psychology, Russian Moscow Art Theater School, 2011 Fall Semester; Eugene O’Neill National Theater Institute Program Barnard College of Columbia University, New York, NY; 2009-2010 City Honors High School, Buffalo, NY; International Baccalaureate School; Graduated 2009 SKILLS: Adobe Photoshop/Premiere/Lightroom, Pro Tools, Microsoft Office Suite, Intermediate French/Russian, Interpersonal Communication Skills, Writing/Editing: Radio/Film/Theater/Music, Carpentry/Welding/Painting/Props Creation, Creative Problem-Solving Abilities, Digital/Film Photographer, Musician (Voice/Guitar/Piano) MOST RECENT:

Research & Development Coordinator AND Communications Associate; Himalayan Institute Humanitarian Projects, Honesdale, PA & Cameroon, West Africa 2017-2018

• Fundraising and Development researcher on current/future trends in humanitarian aid and non-profit organization management

• Assisting Managing Director in continuously shaping future vision, project planning, and overall long- term goals for entire organization

• Grant researcher responsible for diversifying funding portfolio, vetting grant-makers, networking and liaising with donors

• Application writing for all grant proposals; responsible for re-creating current funding ratios to reflect more diverse funding

• Leading Quality Improvement and Monitoring & Evaluation operating procedures and data monitoring for humanitarian projects taking place at Himalayan Institute Cameroon inclusive of a large-scale data collection plan laid in 2017

• Working with Creative Services to compile compelling annual reports on all projects, past accomplishments, and future projections relating to HIC

• Management of organizational health from fundraising and messaging standpoints; aligning organization with UN Goals and World Economic Forum goals on Africa

• Stewarding the new health, branding, and outward communication of Sacred Link Global Humanitarian Projects (our new foundation vehicle for grant proposals) into its eventual future as a large-scale non-profit wholly responsible for all future growth of Himalayan Institute Cameroon and any other projects undertaken on the Africa continent

• Blog creation & writing

• Managing & creating content for social media accounts

• Re-branding of division creating cohesive marketing/branding looks/language in coordination with creative design directors

• Marketing & Donor Communications copy writing for all projects

• Manager for all Annual Campaign content & deliverables THEATER & FILM:

Script Supervisor; “Last 15 Minutes” Independent Film, NY, NY; 2016

• Ensured continuity within camera, costume, art, and script departments

• Documented all scene details from take to take in coordination with director

• Consulted with Director in guiding actors to produce best performance

• Watching for quality control in following of script, blocking, and actor direction

• Overseeing all continuity and resolving any errors during filming ASM/Production Assistant; Lincoln Center, Mostly Mozart Festival, “The Public Domain”; NY, NY 2016

• Facilitating the coordination and work-flow of rehearsal process allowing performers to further understand roles and focus during 200+ person rehearsals

• Point person for performers requests and concerns during rehearsal process

• Guided communication between production management teams and heads of production departments

• Assistant to technical production specialists during rehearsal process

• Point person for any/all needs during festival performance and guided 1000+ performers in accomplishing rehearsal goals

Teaching Artist/Devisor & Writer; Dramatic Adventure Theatre, Tanzania, East Africa and NY, NY; 2016

• Worked with NGOs, independent artists, & theater companies local to Tanzania for 1 month in a massive collaboration between 18 American actors and directors in the creation of an Off-Off Broadway Original Play

• Interviewed & collaborated with the Mloko Tour Guide & Conservation Association to create theatrical work based on the conservation crisis in Selous, Tanzania

• Devised an original play based on artistic, professional, and personal exchanges had in Tanzania using acting, music, dance, physical comedy, and dramatic writing

• Wrote an original play entitled “Tembo” along with 4 other writers

• Performed for audiences at the Zanzibar International Film Festival in Zanzibar, Tanzania and iATI Theater in NY, NY

• Created drama writing and theater workshops for elementary aged students in Mloko, Tanzania

• Guided students in the creation of original plays and dramatic sketches presented to local schools and greater Mloko community

• Facilitated the creative expression and creation of original material of 30+ students through theater, music, and dance

• Developed moderate language exchange between Swahili-speaking students and English-speaking teachers Assistant Director; The Anthropologists-“No Man’s Land”, Off-Off Broadway, NY, NY; 2016

• Coordinated schedules between actors, designers, stage managers, rehearsal spaces, and performance spaces

• Developed concepts within the play alongside Director through devised theater workshops and performance/writing techniques

• Assisted in creation of specific choreography through prior experience in modern, jazz, ballet, and hip-hop and their use in devised theater construction

• Made sure workflow continued on pace throughout entire rehearsal process and technical production schedule by keeping communication open and consistent between all departments and actors

• Collaborated with Director to discover and implement artistic vision while coordinating said vision with production designers, technical crew, & actors

• Partnered in creative brainstorming and script development sessions along with Director and actors while devising script rewrites/scoring new scenes

• Coached actors through scene work and creating dialogue and action from devised theater exercises Casting Director/Assistant Director; “Borderline” Independent Film, NY, NY; 2015-2016

• Sourced talent, cast actors, scheduled auditions & callbacks, and reviewed script rewrites alongside Executive Director

• Worked with Director to ensure casting of actors best suited for all roles along with developing callbacks to try out multiple pairs of actors in test scenes and improvised scene trials

• Evaluated actor performance for technical, creative, innovative, and improvisational skills

• Assisted in scheduling all shoot days & creation of crew/cast call sheets

• Executive assistant on set overseeing the successful filming within technical and creative departments by facilitating communication, equipment needs, and intra-department coordination

• Cast manager as well as personal assistant to Executive Director on & off set Casting Assistant; Miranda Theater Company, NY, NY; 2015

• Assisted Director-Valentina Fratti & Producer-Anne Berlin in their production of Snow Orchid (Miranda Theater Co. produced by Cherry Lane Theater) in casting Off-Broadway theater production

• Promoted from first assisting in administrative tasks to being an equal part of evaluating actors and how they work within the construct of the play alongside Director & Producer-provided decision-influencing feedback on quality of auditions and talent of actors (looked to for opinions on best casting choices)

• Worked with executive creative team to find innovative talent for production by recruiting actors and discussing current talent throughout NYC and agent recommendations

• Provided feedback on talent by assessing technical and creative acting skills

• Overall departmental support throughout multi-stage casting process from brainstorming casting decisions to ideas on character development and character interaction based on pairings of actors in relation to theatrical goals outlined by director, producer, and playwright Front of House Staff; The Public Theater, NY, NY; 2013

• Usher, Ticket Handler, Herald, & Stage Monitor for all Public Theater shows and events

• Reconciled guests questions or concerns before, during, and after performances

• Coordinated with House Managers to facilitate smooth running of all productions Artistic Intern; New York Neo-Futurists Theater Company, NY, NY; 2012

• Co-Executive Assistant to Artistic Director in the creation of weekly devised theater shows Off-Off Broadway

• Partnered with technical team in set ups and strikes of performances

• Worked with all departments to create productive rehearsal processes

• Technical assistant to both the props and design departments by sourcing materials, collaborating on creative execution, and ensuring proper construction and storage of all materials

• Managed archives to stay current online bringing information on company into the present

• Grew social media following by increasing varied types of communication between company and followers on Facebook demonstrating direct increases in company following

• Edited weekly programs for continuity and design while assisting in clerical duties such as payroll and scheduling

Teaching Artist/Co-Director; Theater Outreach Program, Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY; 2012

• Co-coordinator of creative activity planning for 7th graders and the Graham School in Yonkers, NY specializing in theater workshops for children with emotional & behavioral challenges

• Coached a class of students to the creation of their own solo performance and musical theater show by directing class in theater, music, and dance exercises specifically designed for students with special needs

• Utilized acting techniques to guide children with behavioral problems into becoming better communicators and problem solvers within their community

• Helped students who previously could not speak into being able to verbally communicate by coaching theater games and creative writing exercises

• Guided students with severe behavioral issues surrounding anger work through rage, conflict, and distress by facilitating healthier interactions with other students through theater and creative expression exercises

• Collaborated in class and performance scheduling, workshop creation, and student participation alongside co- coordinator and classroom teachers from the Graham School

• Brought together student creative partners from conflicting special needs backgrounds through creative group communication exercises, innovative musical theater & spoken word games, and group improvisation classes Devisor, Actor, Writer, & Sound Designer; Moscow Art Theater School, Moscow, Russia; 2011

• Devised multiple theater pieces on a daily basis resulting in ensemble-created, original, long-form theater productions both for in-school evaluation and greater Moscow community entertainment

• Coordinated rehearsals, lead ensemble meetings resulting in better communication amongst ensemble members, and collaborated in generating feedback within technical and performance practices of ensemble during rehearsals and production practices

• Wrote original scenes and short-form plays on a weekly basis resulting in a wide and varied canon of creative material our ensemble then used to generate long-form theater throughout the course of 5 months

• Gained extensive training in opera, ballet, and acting technique while studying and rehearsing full-time, 6 days a week while collaborating with 15 other actors and writers

• Provided mixing, composition, audio gathering, and creative sound design for multiple student productions & projects within the theater school

Performing Arts Departments' Production Assistant; Sarah Lawrence College; Bronxville, NY; 2010-2013

• Developed administrative & technical skills specific to every aspect of a performing arts company from artistic execution and administrative coordination to production management and technical design/creation

• Coordinated with Technical Director in the creation, design, and installation of sets and props within the theater and dance departments

• Constructed multiple sets and props utilizing carpentry and construction, fabrication, welding, sculpting, and painting skills

• House managed multiple theater, music, and dance productions throughout the SLC performance season

• Provided technical assistance to lighting, set, & sound designers resulting in successful implementation of creative designs, technical execution, and artistic vision

• Liaison between technical & administrative departments facilitating communication, workflow, and production management by cultivating relationships and administrative exchanges between heads of internal performance departments

• Visiting artist liaison, crew coordinator, performer assistant, and outside guest services administrator for over 5 productions a season resulting in seamless functioning of multi-stage performances venues

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