Margaret J. Leisenheimer
Actor. Singer. Teaching Artist.
Margaret is an NYC based teaching artist specializing in theater for ages 0-13+. Margaret's educational mission is to encourage mindfulness, collaboration, and play. She encourages students to work through their limiting beliefs and to make mistakes with great enthusiasm!
Teaching Artist
Past Experience
Spotlight Kids
Teaching Artist | New York, NY
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Teach intermediate acting principles to a class of fifteen students between the ages of 9-11 years old in order to strengthen their understanding of theatre, ensemble building, and collaboration
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Direct weekly one-hour rehearsals in order to stage the children’s end-of year performance
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Coordinate with the creative team (i.e.: Choreographer, Music Director, and Costume/Set/Prop Designers, etc.) to ensure effective communication and quick problem-solving
Chickenshed NYC
Lead Teaching Artist | New York, NY
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Taught acting techniques, choreography, and music in integrated workshops of approximately 40 students with a team of teaching artists for a child-led performance
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Authored and performed interactive shows for ages 0-6 to support social-emotional development
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Curated lesson plans for a class of approximately 10 students between the ages of 5-7 in order to lead the first Chickenshed Players Level 1 workshop year
BridgeUp: Shakespeare in the Schools
Teaching Artist | Remote
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Led virtual workshops on theatre and Shakespeare’s text with 4 different classrooms ranging from 10-25 students each, ages 8-12, in a 5-week program
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Directed class performance of a speech from A Midsummer Night’s Dream by teaching memorization techniques, supportive collaboration, and fostering confidence.
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Edited and produced a culmination film showcasing the students’ work using iMovie, Google Suite, and Creative Commons music
Theatre in the Classroom
Founder | Vestal, NY
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Created a theatre outreach initiative through Binghamton University’s Theatre Department, pairing 10 theatre students with 5 local elementary school classrooms in 2 separate schools to serve as volunteer teaching artists
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Designed teaching artist training workshops to support the team’s professional development and confidence
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Facilitated open discussions with participating elementary school teachers about program improvements and successes through assessment tools; ie: surveys and emails