Blog

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. - William Butler Yeats

“Chris and Jess were able to break-down the barriers between the teachers, opening them to the possibilities of direct exchanges of information both personally and professionally relevant to their team building.  The exercises were a perfect antidote to clogged relationships and left the faculty members with both new insights into their own contributions to the team and a deeper appreciation of their colleague’s challenges, hopes and needs. 

I can without hesitation give Jess and Chris my highest recommendation for the effectiveness of their Team Building workshop.  The practical results have been teachers with a real commitment to working with each other in the service of the children at Discovery, along with some true breakthroughs of understanding as relevant to their co-workers.  From an Administrator’s perspective, I wish we could have Jess and Chris work with each of our Faculty teams on an annual basis to promote the types of harmonious collegial relationships I have come to expect from our Montessori faculty. Jess and Chris are true gems in this industry and I have a deep respect for their commitment to each of the individuals they choose to work with.”

~ Kim Bednareck, Co-Head of School, Discovery Montessori

“Chris has a gift as a director and it transcends the physical work that is a core aspect of his training... His work as an actor/creator and a devisor of work with his own company [Creatively Independent] has also given him a real understanding of how to work with actors in the process of creation and rehearsal.  He has a keen eye.  He listens.  He has a great sense of humor.  He is collaborative, but also knows his own point of view and is not afraid to speak his mind.”

~ Michael Fields, Producing Artistic Director,

Dell’Arte Company

“The feedback we’ve gotten from kids and parents is unbelievable.  It’s a wonderful program.  We’ve had kids every year who opt to come back.  It’s so different from anything else they get in school... [Creatively Independent] devised a strong, age specific teaching program incorporating vocal, movement and dramatic skills that show us how students can mentally obtain knowledge and also ‘wear’ is in their body and muscles.”

~ Marilyn Hoener, President,

The Ponte Vedra Public Education Foundation

“[Chris] knows how to take huge risks and land safely.  He is possessed of an innate sense of comic timing and a love of sharing the emotional truth with an audience.”

~ Linda White, former Director,

Greylock Theatre Project

   Williamstown Theatre Festival

What makes us Creatively Independent?

Others develop their ensemble through the work.  

WE develop ensembles in order to work.

Others teach “HOW”. 

WE focus first on “WHY”.

The differences are crucial.

Everyone needs to know “Why should it matter to me?” 

We explore the WHY's of all our specialized skills:  

physical theatre, clown, mask, stage combat, playwriting, songwriting, percussion, directing and choreography.

“WHY” makes the information stick.  

“WHY” continues the learning process

beyond our workshops.

WATCH what we’ve been up to on stage and in the classroom.

BOOKING 2012/13 for schools and theatre companies now!

Interested in training with us this Summer?

Jacksonville Summer Master Classes