Reese

Dedicated educator with over 12 years of experience in curriculum development and teaching at the undergraduate and high school levels. Proven ability to design and deliver engaging courses in filmmaking, screenwriting, and career development, with a focus on low-income and first-generation students. Skilled in student advising, grading, and providing technical instruction.

Lecturer, Department of Communication - Santa Clara University - Santa Clara, CA

(2018 - 2026)

• Designed and taught upper-division courses in Screenwriting, Advanced Screenwriting, Advanced Film Editing, Experimental Filmmaking, Directing Actors, Intro to Digital Filmmaking, Short Fiction Film Production, and Gender Race and Film.
• Designed and implemented technical lab instruction for introductory and advanced film production courses.
• Technical instruction in screenwriting, camera operation, sound recording, lighting equipment, and Avid and Premiere Pro editing software.

Adjunct Professor, Film and Television - St. John’s University - Queens NY

(2015 - 2018)

• Designed and implemented introductory Film Production and Editing courses.
• Instructed theoretical and technical learning of camera operation, lighting equipment, sound recording, Avid, and Premiere editing software.

Saudi Arabia Arts Program Professor - University of New Haven - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

(2014 - 2014)

• Designed and taught introductory metal smithing/ jewelry design course.

Documentary and Narrative Film Instructor - School of the Future - New York, NY

(2012 - 2013)

• Created and implemented three introductory high school film classes per semester.
• Wrote and delivered in-depth lectures on collaboration, story structure, screenwriting, producing, directing the actor, cinematography, lighting, and editing.
• Guided sixty students in the completion of two or more films per semester.

Teaching Artist - PCI Media Impact - New York, NY

(2012 - 2013)

• Collaborated with public school teachers providing technical filmmaking support in areas of screenwriting, cinematography, lighting, and editing.
• Classroom visits included problem-solving for production or post-production challenges and well as delivering constructive criticism of scripts and rough cuts of films.

Film Instructor - Take Two Film Academy - New York, NY

(2010 - 2013)

• Planned and conducted introductory youth film classes and camps.
• Assisted youth in the completion of two or more films per class.
• Collaborated with other colleagues co-teaching writing, production, and post-production.

Media Lab Teaching Artist - Children’s Museum of the Arts - New York, NY

(2012 - 2012)

• Implemented introductory youth stop motion animation classes within the museum and during after-school partnership programs.

Summer Camp Art Director - Sangre De Cristo Youth Ranch - Taos, NM

(2008 - 2008)

• Hired, managed, and collaborated with local artists to create an engaging and diverse arts program.
• Developed programming that served at underprivileged and at-risk youth.
• Designed and taught youth filmmaking program. Implemented hands-on classes in screenplay writing, production, directing actors, and post-production using Final Cut Pro.
• Guided youth in the completion of multiple films per session.

Member of the Advanced Improv Performance Lab - Berkeley Rep School of Theatre

(2026)

All Queer No Fear House Team Member - Provocation Theater

(2026)

No Breaks Improv House Team Member - All Out Comedy

(2026)

Founder and Coach - Queerlings Queer Improv Group - Bay Area

(2024)

Improv Performer - Pan Theater - Oakland, California

(2023 - 2025)

Short Story Performer - New York and The Bay Area

(2015)

• Performs Short Stories at many storytellings shows around New York and The Bay Area.

Selected Artist - Speak Up, Rise Up Storytelling Festival

(2018 - 2018)

https://www.speakupriseup.com/2018-festival-1/

Second place, Grand Slam - The Moth

(2018 - 2018)

March 2018.

Featured Storyteller - FallingUpHill

(2018 - 2018)

Featured in the storytelling podcast in March 2018.

Founder and Host - Open Lore Policy

(2017)

A monthly storytelling show dedicated to bringing queer stories targeting unique and underrepresented perspectives to the stage as a form of community building.

Lil’ Mama Solo Show Writer/Storyteller - The Tank - New York City

(2017 - 2017)

Wrote and performed the hour-long solo show ‘Lil’ Mama’ at the Tank in New York City in October 2017 and again at the Open Source Gallery in December 2017.

Story Slam Winner - The Moth

(2017 - 2017)

Won Moth Story Slam in May 2017.

Host - How To Build a Fire

(2017 - 2018)

Hosted the monthly storytelling show January 2017 - June 2018.

• Booked and mentored storytellers as well as taking special care to bring diverse voices to the show.

On-Camera Lab Technician - SAG/AFTRA Foundation - New York, NY

(2016 - 2018)

• Coached actors’ performance for self-taped auditions.
• Tape auditions, set appointments, check actor availability, maintain actor lists and databases.
• Download, convert and edit video using various platforms.
• Responsible for operation, set up, breakdown, and maintenance of camera, lighting, and sound equipment.

Casting Assistant - Strickman-Ripps Casting - New York, NY

(2015 - 2016)

• Researched possible talent for clients.
• Set appointments, taped auditions, and delivered audition tapes.
• Communicated with agents and managers.

Consultant/Development - Voces De Equidad Women and Youth Theater Group - Ilobasco, El Salvador

(2007 - 2007)

• Assisted Women’s group in starting a theater group.
• Designed and implemented a theater program, including high school classes and theater camps.
• Guided women and youth in the completion and performance of plays about gender equality.

Founder/Director - Gringuisimo Educational Theatre Group - El Salvador

(2005 - 2007)

• Wrote, directed, and performed educational one-act plays.
• Led a group of twenty volunteers in the writing and performing of plays.
• Organized transportation, housing, and food for performances throughout rural El Salvador.
• Guided community discussions following performances.

Rural Health and Sanitation Volunteer - United States Peace Corps - El Salvador

(2005 - 2007)

• Formed and organized a women's support and development group to implement community projects including cooking, sewing, and exercise classes.
• Organized and implemented parent participation days at a local school to discuss parenting skills and approaches.
• Organized and implemented a Clean Water Committee to solicit a community water project from Engineers without Borders to provide the community with a well and delivery system of potable water for the entire community.
• Created local education programs focused on basic hygiene, dental hygiene, AIDS prevention, women's health, nutrition, drug and alcohol abuse, and domestic violence prevention. Lead a team of six volunteers in implementing the program in six different communities.
• Educated youth in reproductive health as well as basic life skills weekly for two years in three different classrooms at the local school.
• Developed and taught youth art classes in ceramics, painting, drawing, and theater.
• Created and taught training sessions in youth development, community involvement, and women's health for future Peace Corps volunteers.

MFA - Filmmaking, Writing/Directing - Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film and Television, Tisch School of the Arts, NYU (2015 - 2015)

BA - Sociology and International Intercultural Studies, Theater Minor - Pitzer College (2004 - 2004)