I am passionate about the community, youth arts & sports programs, and am a believer in the
power of the audience. In addition to founding a number of youth arts companies and programs, I have demonstrated this passion for more than 20 years through the creation and management of patrons for the arts & education programs and non-profit organizations. I have also been fortunate enough to have participated in the revitalization of a number of adult and youth organizations.
Wiling to Relocate: Anywhere
EDUCATION
FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY, Winter Park, FL
MASTER OF SCIENCE, ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS
w/specialization in sports management & operations FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY, Winter Park, FL
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Production Stage Management Choreography Audio/Video Editing ETC Ion Social Media Marketing Design Customer Service Directing Non Profit Management Instructing Events/Outreach Lighting Design PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
• Experience working with interns, union & non union professional crews
• Budgeting
• Managing live performances as well as simultaneously managing multiple events.
• Employing creative approaches to engaging with new and existing audiences.
• Public speaking at presentations, conferences or radio and TV interviews.
• Comprehensive knowledge & ability to work in both PC and Mac environments.
• Planning an events/rehearsal calendar that avoids clashes with other dates.
• Experience of working in a professional theatre as well as creating and maintaining venues WORK EXPERIENCE
Skyline Schools
ARTS & ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR
Direct three campuses performing & visual arts departments as well as manage a full array of activities for all campuses including all competitive and no competitive sports, staffing, marketing, social media, design, budgeting, fundraising and communications. Donna Petersen
4515 W Mercury Way, Chandler, AZ 85226 - 602-***-**** - *********@*****.*** Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/pub/donna-bennett-petersen/24/383/67b/ United Skates of America
COMMUNITY DIRECTOR/OUTREACH & EVENTS DIRECTOR
• Responsible for all special events from conception to production.
• Primary contact for all schools, non-profits and local and national contracts.
• Integrated video promotions as well as expanded use of social media and updated graphic design to the Southwest market.
Tempe Union High School District
CHOREOGRAPHER/DIRECTOR/TECHNICAL DIRECTOR/CHEER DIRECTOR
• Director/Choreographer for main stage productions. Including choir, drama, dance and non- arts department productions.
• Theatre Manager/Lighting Designer for Production
• Consultant and publicity coordinator for Performing Arts & Activity Departments.
• Managed/Coached three levels of AIA level cheer teams Arizona Youth Ballet
CHOREOGRAPHER/REHEARSAL MISTRESS/PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER
• Manage and run full company rehearsals for all main stage productions as well as create and set contemporary choreography.
• Adjudicate all auditions and casting.
• Production Manger responsibilities of directing scheduling, budgeting, union/non-union communications, crew hiring and direction, pre- and post production work, and organization of all facets of theatre personal and outside contractors. Skyline Prep & Arts Academy
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/INSTRUCTOR/MARKETING/SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR
• Responsible for co-founding schools, finding and launching multiple sites.
• Implemented instruction and direction of multiple arts programs for youth and community.
• Responsible for recruiting, recruiting, community outreach, multiple schools marketing including design, branding, media relations and project development. Jeanne's School of Dance
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/MODERN PROGRAM COORDINATOR
• Choreographer and Instructor for all levels of the modern program.
• Oversaw the studio programs as a whole.
Dance Republic
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER/LIGHTING DESIGNER
• Responsible for scheduling, budgeting, union/non-union communications, crew hiring and over seeing, pre and post production, organization and management of theatre personal and outside contractors.
• Responsible for lighting design.
Ballet Etudes
PRODUCTION STAGE & TOUR MANAGER
Responsible for scheduling, budgeting, union/non-union communications, crew hiring and over seeing, pre and post production, organization and management of theatre personal and outside contractors.
Nebellen Dance Company
PRODUCTION STAGE & TOUR MANAGER
Gravity Jazz Dance Theatre/Rogue Dance Theatre
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER
Center Dance Ensemble
STAGE MANAGER
Responsible for running all performances both main stage and community. Scorpius Dance Theatre
STAGE MANAGER
Queen Creek Performing Arts Center
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Designed lighting for theatre rentals - specializing in dance lighting for local studios and touring productions.
David Entertainment
LIGHTING DESIGNER/OPERATOR
Over-hire designer/operator for local productions. TECHNICAL TRAINING
Arizona State University - {Dance Major}Arizona 1991 - 1993 South Mountain Center for the Performing Arts [Magnet Program] - Arizona 1989 - 1993 Phoenix School of Ballet - Arizona 1989 - 1992
The Ailey School - New York City 1993 - 1995
Red Oak Music Theatre - New Jersey 1982 - 1984/1993 - 1995 Broadway Dance Center - New York 1981 - 1984
Mickey Rooney Talent Town - New Jersey/California 1981 - 1984 PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE
The King & I/Princess Ying Yowolack Regional Theater, New Jersey/Director Ida Pormel Hello Dolly/u/s Dolly Head Waiter - Ensemble Arizona/Director Nancy Perzan Grease/Sandy Arizona/Director Tony Sherk
Pippin/Band of Players Arizona/Director Tony Sherk Brigadoon/Jeanne McClaren Arizona/Director Tony Sherk West Side Story/Anybodys Regional Theater, New Jersey/Director Paul Cole The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas/Shy Regional Theater, New Jersey/Director: Jerry Yoder Mack & Mabel/Ensemble - u/s Lottie Regional Theater, New Jersey/Director Paul Cole Seesaw /Ensemble Regional Theater, New JerseyDirector: Jerry Yoder Desert Dance Theatre/Company Member Arizona/Director Marian Kirk Jones & Lisa Chow Aurora Mime Theatre/Company Member Arizona/Director Susan St. John South Dance Company/Company Member Arizona/Director Nancy Gwinnell Center Dance Ensemble/Company Member Arizona/Director Fran Cohen HOBBIES
Donna is a sports fanatic, she believes that if she can't be on the stage.back stage or in the studio then a field or court is only other place that makes sense. In addition to sports, photography; specifically dance photography as well as baking are her next passions. She also likes to meet people and allow them to share their stories. She has made it a point to share her love not only for the arts but for sports with of her children and now they just as obsessed. AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS
KNIX/Fulton Homes Teacher of the Week [April 2005] Arizona State University Merit Scholarship Award Recipient [1993] Arizona State University Dance Department Scholarship Recipient [1993] Arizona Rotary Scholarship Recipient [1993]
Phoenix School of Ballet Scholarship Recipient [1990 - 1992] Cleo Parker Robinson Scholarship Recipient [1990]
BOARD AFFILIATIONS
Arizona Youth Ballet - Founding Board Member
Marcos de Niza Choir Drama - Board Member
Ballet Etudes - Production Board Member at Large
MdN Cheer - Board Member, Vice President
REFERENCES
Sara Foster Community Relations/American Cancer Society ***********@*****.*** 319-***-****
Derek Johnson Production Manager/ DTI Productions, Las Vegas NV ****.******@*****.*** 314-***-****
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Cynthia Foster Retired Mentor Teacher/Fishladder Designs *********@******.*** 480-***-****
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Stephanie Kilgore President/Arizona Youth Ballet
*********.*******@*****.*** 602-***-****
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Tahlia Remer Director of Dance/MdN Dance t
Chris Thomas Producer-Director/The Platform- A Time 2 Productions ***********@*****.*** 602-***-****
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Melanie McGackin Director of Family Educaiton/Family Resource Network ********@***.*** 732-***-****