Academic CV

DOWNLOADABLE CV

 

SUMMARY

A Tony Award-nominated and internationally award-winning theatre educator, administrator, director, Equity actor, and practitioner, Sean Elias has planned and executed instructional programs in all areas of the performing arts, directed and performed in numerous award-winning professional and educational theatrical productions, and developed ancillary educational opportunities. In the classroom, Sean Elias emphasizes project-based, experiential, and interdisciplinary learning, expanding the learner’s capacity to think critically and solve problems creatively. With a background in theatre education for community development, Sean Elias’ lessons promote an understanding of both craft and socio-political context in hopes of increasing the learner’s civic engagement. Sean passionately advocates in the service of the learner’s experience, believes strongly in the integration of media and technology in the classroom, and measures successes in student achievement and personal connection. Sean firmly believes that the art of educational drama encourages students to express their thoughts in intimate new ways while analyzing and discovering the environment around them.  

“Arts education isn’t something we add on after we’ve achieved other priorities, like raising test scores and getting kids into college. It’s actually critical for achieving those priorities in the first place.”
— First Lady Michelle Obama

EDUCATION

The New School for Drama - New York, NY
Additional 30 graduate-level credits completed in the M.F.A. Acting Program.

Emerson College - Boston, MA
Master of Art in Theatre Education, May 2010
Thesis: Theatre for Human and Professional Development
State of Massachusetts Licensed Theatre Teacher - Theatre All Levels

The University of the Arts - Philadelphia, PA
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre Performance, May 2008

 

EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Chair Department of Performing Arts & Theatre Coordinator: Jemicy School, Upper School Owings Mills, MD, 2018 - CURRENT
Founding Department Chair. Responsible for all academic and artistic, ancillary and elective performing arts programming on the Upper School campus. Additional responsibilities include the recruitment, orientation, mentoring, and advisement of students, staff, and faculty; the supervision of all faculty in the department and the administration of performance evaluations; the submission of recommendations regarding faculty reappointment and promotion; the planning, staffing, and scheduling of classes and productions; participation in the annual program review and evaluation of existing academic programs; administration of the department’s budget; and serving as the Department's representative and liaison with other institutions, offices, and departments. The Jemicy School educates talented and bright students with dyslexia and/or other related language-based learning differences.

Head of Theatre: Jemicy School, Upper School - Owings Mills, MD, 2015 - 2018
First ever full-time faculty specific to the theatre arts. Responsible for all academic and artistic, ancillary and elective theatrical programming at the Upper School campus and directing all three of the departments internationally award-winning plays and/or musicals. Created the first-ever honor society on campus by chartering a chapter of the International Thespian Society. Enrolled students in multiple award and recognition programs for the first time including the Baltimore Theatre Awards, The Cappies of Baltimore, and the International Thespian Society, in total garnering 33 nominations, 14 wins and an invitation to perform on the International Thespian Festival Main Stage in just two years. 

Adjunct Faculty: Towson University - Towson, MD, 2014
THEA 204: Creating Communities of Change

This course explored various exercises in structured and improvisational theatre games to empower students as facilitators and leaders in a variety of fields. Through the philosophies and teachings of Augusto Boal and Viola Spolin, students were exposed to the methodologies and techniques necessary to build classroom, work-related and/or community-based ensembles for enhanced learning, productivity outcomes and/or increased civic engagement and understanding. Surpassed departmental averages on all student evaluations. 

Resident Teaching Artist: Center Stage Theatre - Baltimore, MD, 2013 - 2015
Center Stage, the State Theatre of Maryland, is a professional, non-profit Equity theatre. Center Stage's educational programs integrate theatre into the lives of nearly 10,000 Maryland students each season, inspiring young imaginations through programs that cultivate creative and intellectual potential while developing a practical understanding of the arts. Responsible for the facilitation of a self-designed curriculum on playwriting for students with learning differences at Baltimore’s The Auburn School, The Odyssey School, and Compass Academy. Additional instruction assigned at Baltimore’s Edgecombe Circle Elementary School comprising mostly of at-risk youth and Columbia’s Long Reach High School. 

Theatre Artist-in-Residence/Educator: Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción - Boston, MA, 2009-2010 
The Cacique Youth Learning Center provides low-income urban youth with the necessary resources, skills, and support to enable them to succeed in school and in their personal lives. Responsible for planning and implementing daily lessons in theatre based on the organization’s interpersonal development objectives and the specific needs and abilities of the student demographic. Responsible for the instructional planning, management, and evaluation procedures of the theatre curriculum and all performances. Emphasis on providing access to multimedia and computer technology to enhance learning. Facilitated classroom behavior management and disciplinary discussions with an emphasis on understanding and support.

Theatre Specialist: Wellesley High School (Student Teaching) - Wellesley, MA 2009 
Wellesley High School is a community of learners committed to the core values of academic excellence, caring and cooperative relationships, respect for human differences, and commitment to community. Thus, all theatre curriculum facilitated through the student teaching experience was guided by a desire for the students to increase their socio-political awareness and understanding. Improvisation, playmaking, generative theme drawing, and character analysis and development were catalysts for self-discovery, research, and individual and group transformation. Developed and implemented lesson plans for 9th - 12th grade levels, administered evaluations, and analyzed student performance. Fostered a classroom environment conducive to learning and promoting excellent student/teacher interaction.

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Artistic Director, Iron Crow Theatre - Baltimore, MD, 2015 - CURRENT
Responsible for conceiving, developing, and implementing the artistic vision and focus of the theatre and for major decisions regarding all programmatic and ancillary operations in support of Iron Crow Theatre’s mission. Responsible for the hiring of artistic staff: artists, directors, performers and actors, stage managers, designers, etc. In partnership with the Managing Director, actively involved in the managing of the theatre’s annual budget and relationships with various funding bodies (charities, the government, sponsors, trusts, etc.). Responsible for the largest growth in the annual budget in the history of the theatre and for the 37 awards and/or nominations the theatre has received to date including Best Breakout Theatre from Baltimore Magazine and numerous Best Direction and Best Musical awards. Additionally, assisted in the coordinating of the long-range strategic planning, annual planning, and goal setting of the theatre. Acted as the representative and advocate of the theatre with government agencies, insurance companies, community and local business groups and arts organizations, and created the theatre’s first-ever large-scale education campaign, formalized the internship program, and commissioned a queer musical set to tour middle schools during the 19/20 anniversary season.

Executive Director, Iron Crow Theatre - Baltimore, MD, 2014 - 2015
Responsible for all administrative and financial operations in support of Iron Crow Theatre’s mission. Additionally, the Executive Director is responsible for major decisions regarding personnel management, financial management and human resources management. Responsibilities included assisting in the development of the theatre’s annual season, and securing the rights to present the chosen season from the royalty house or publisher-agent. In collaboration with the Artistic Director, the Executive Director developed the theatre’s annual season budget and coordinated the long-range strategic planning, annual planning, and goal setting of the theatre. Planned, directed and implemented a comprehensive development program that generated individual donor, foundation, and corporate support. Managed the annual budget and hired, supervised, and evaluated key technical/administrative personnel. Managed contracts and contract negotiations for all hired personnel while directing all administrative operations.

Human Resources: On-Boarding, Training & Development, Apple - New York, NY, 2008 - 2015
Pioneered, designed, and facilitated both a quarterly off-site training program focused on cultural development and employee engagement drawing on the use of Theatre Education techniques (Forum Theatre, Cop in the Head, In-Role Drama) as well as instructionally designing “Workshops for our People”, a recurring monthly program offering leader led, cross divisional collaboration. Most passionate in partnering with employees to assess their abilities as related to their desired goals, objectives, and outcomes, then creating plans to achieve success. One of four members on a highly collaborative In-Store HR Team, tasked with promoting employee engagement within Apple’s culture of accountability, feedback, personal development, and innovation. Supported benefits education, training and development of current and new employees, internal communication, and market recruiting efforts for multiple Flagship retail locations. Responsible for the innovation of multiple internal systems and processes, informing executive leadership of results. Familiar with various Federal, State and local employment, equal employment, and non-discrimination laws.

 

SKILLS

Excellent command of both Mac and PC platforms. Excellent oral, written communication, and human relations skills. Ability to apply knowledge and experience of current research, theory, and practice to instructional programs. Ability to establish and maintain effective and authentic relationships with students, colleagues, and various stakeholders. Excellent graphic design capabilities for both online and printed materials. High attention to detail with a demonstrated ability to handle ambiguity and pressure with grace. Able to teach virtually and/or in a hybrid environment. 

 

TEACHING AREAS

Acting for majors/non-majors, playwriting, musical theatre performance, theatre history, musical theatre history, introduction to theatre, voice and speech, public speaking, theatrical producing, theatre for socio-political impact, Forum Theatre (Augusto Boal), theatre administration, directing for the stage, and stage management. 

SERVICE

Maryland Thespians - Maryland
State Chapter Board Member

Maryland State Arts Council - Maryland
Theatre Review Panelist

2014 & 2015 Young Playwrights Festival - Center Stage, Baltimore, MD
Playwright Mentor/Script Reader for honored plays

Visit Baltimore Cultural Tourism Advisory Committee - Baltimore, MD
Member

 
 

Awards

2020 Maryland Thespians State Champions / Chapter Select
1 of only 30 schools from across the country to be invited to perform on the Chapter Select Stage at the 2020 Virtual International Thespian Festival.

2019 International Thespian Festival Main Stage Invitee
1 of only 11 schools invited to perform on the Main Stage at the 2019 International Thespian Festival held at The University of Nebraska, Lincoln. 

2019 Cappies of Baltimore: Jemicy School’s Peter and the Starcatcher 
10 Nominations including Best Play. Won for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role.

2019 Baltimore Theatre Awards: Jemicy School’s Into the Woods 
10 Nominations including Best Musical. 5 wins for Best Set Construction, Properties Design, Supporting Actress, Featured Actress and Special Effects.

Baltimore Magazine: 2018 Baltimore Visionary
Selected as one of 30 Baltimore Visionaries by Baltimore Magazine.

2018 Cappies of Baltimore: Jemicy School’s Much Ado About Nothing
4 Nominations. Won for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Comic Role.

2018 Baltimore Theatre Awards: Jemicy School’s Little Women: The Broadway Musical
9 Nominations. 7 wins for Best Musical, Stage Crew, Stage Management, Special Effects, Performance by a Leading Actress, Performance by an Ensemble, Performance by a Supporting Actor, and Hair & Makeup.

American Theatre Wing: 2017 Tony Award Nominee - Excellence in Theatre Education

Baltimore Magazine: 2017 Best Breakout Theatre - Iron Crow Theatre
Selected as one of Baltimore Magazine’s Best of Baltimore - 2017. 

DC Metro Theatre Arts: 2016 Best Musical - Iron Crow Theatre
Dual win for Iron Crow Theatre’s The Wild Party and The Rocky Horror Show. 

DC Metro Theatre Arts: 2016 Best Direction of a Musical
Dual win for Iron Crow Theatre’s The Wild Party and The Rocky Horror Show.

2016 MD Theatre Guide Reader’s Choice Awards: Best Professional Theatre
Iron Crow Theatre named Best Professional Theatre in the D.C. Metro Area.

2016 Barrymore Award Nominee: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
Heathers! The Musical, presented by The Eagle Theatre

2015 Helen Hayes Award Nominee: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
Oliver! The Musical, produced by Adventure Theatre at Roundhouse Theatre.

2013 Perry Award Nominee: Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, presented by Pleasant Valley Productions, NJ