Erica Clare
International Drama Educator | Curriculum Designer | Theatre Director
A drama educator and professional theatre artist passionate about inspiring creativity, building confidence, and helping students find their voice. Combining real-world performance experience with a love of teaching, creating meaningful opportunities for students to grow as artists and individuals.
Teaching Philosophy
I believe theatre education is about far more than what happens on stage. It is an opportunity for students to build confidence, develop empathy, collaborate creatively, and discover their unique voices. My goal is to create an inclusive, student-centered classroom where students feel safe to take risks, learn from mistakes, and challenge themselves both artistically and personally.
Drawing on my 15 years of professional theatre experience and my background in theatre pedagogy, I combine practical, hands-on learning with purposeful curriculum design. I want students to understand not only how to perform, but why theatre matters and how storytelling can help us better understand ourselves and the world around us. Through performance, playwriting, improvisation, and collaboration, students develop skills that extend well beyond the theatre classroom.
Above all, I believe every student has something valuable to contribute. By fostering curiosity, creativity, and a strong sense of ensemble, I strive to help students grow not only as performers, but as thoughtful, resilient, and confident individuals.
Production Portfolio
Highlights from recent performances as Director, Choreographer, Scenic Designer, and Producer
Teaching & Curriculum
Middle School Theatre Curricula - From Ensemble to Empowerment
Grade 6: Ensemble
What We Explore
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Voice: Using the voice to create characters and tell stories
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Theatre History: Exploring theatrical traditions from around the world
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Improvisation: Building confidence, creativity, and teamwork
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Musical Theatre: Combining acting, singing, and storytelling
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Play Reading: Bringing scripts and characters to life
Featured Projects
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Commedia dell’Arte: Design and create masks, then perform lazzi scenes.
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Puppetry: Create hand puppets and develop unique characters.
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Create an Original Musical: Collaborate to develop and perform a musical.
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Play Performance: Read, rehearse, and perform plays as an ensemble.
The Big Goal: Build a strong theatrical community where students feel comfortable taking creative risks, sharing ideas, and working together.
Theatre 7: The Individual
What We Explore
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Character Analysis: Exploring a character’s objectives, motivations, relationships, and emotions
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Monologues: Writing, developing, and performing original monologues
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Technical Theatre: Understanding how design and technology bring stories to life
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Directing & Producing: Learning to lead creative projects and bring ideas to the stage
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Set & Costume Design: Exploring visual storytelling through design
Featured Projects
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Write & Perform a Monologue: Create an original monologue and bring a character to life through performance.
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Green Screen Storytelling: Collaborate with technology classes to design a digital background that enhances the monologue performance.
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Set Design Challenge: Develop a set concept that communicates the world of a play.
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AI Costume Design: Use AI tools to explore costume concepts that reflect character, mood, and story.
The Big Goal: Empower students to find their artistic voice, take creative risks, and build confidence as both performers and theatre-makers.
Theatre 8: Theatre Leadership
What We Explore
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Playwriting: Developing original scripts through brainstorming, drafting, and editing
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Eastern Theatre: Exploring the histories, traditions, and performance styles of Eastern theatre
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Theatre Leadership: Learning to direct, produce, and manage theatrical productions
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Design & Performance: Using costumes, movement, and visual storytelling to communicate meaning
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Production Management: Understanding the planning, organization, and teamwork behind a theatre festival
Featured Projects
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Write & Perform a 10-Minute Play: Write, edit, rehearse, and perform an original play.
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Exploring Eastern Theatre: Create Kabuki-inspired masks, explore costume design, and learn elements of Indian dance.
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Produce a Play Festival: Take on the roles of directors, designers, producers, and stage managers to bring a festival of original plays to life.
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Lead the Arts Festival: Help produce the Grade 6 and 7 plays for the school-wide Arts Festival, applying leadership and production skills in a collaborative setting.
The Big Goal: Develop independent theatre-makers who can turn creative ideas into reality, lead a team, and take ownership of the entire theatrical process.
High School Theatre Courses
My high school courses challenge students to deepen their creative skills, take artistic risks, and explore different aspects of theatre-making. Through performance, improvisation, movement, and design, students develop as confident, collaborative, and independent artists.
Acting I, II & Advanced
Students develop their acting skills through character analysis, script study, monologues, and scene work. As they progress, they refine their vocal and physical choices, explore character motivation, and develop greater independence as performers.
Improv Theatre
Students build spontaneity, active listening, and collaborative storytelling skills through improv games and scene work. They explore character, status, and relationships before applying their skills to original creative projects, including a web series or podcast.
Musical Theatre
Students combine acting, singing, and movement to tell stories through musical performance. They explore character development through song, choreography, ensemble work, and the techniques that bring musical theatre to life.
Movement & Dance
Students explore a range of dance styles, including ballet, jazz, hip-hop, breakdancing, and waltz. Through technique, choreography, and performance, they develop physical confidence, musicality, and expressive movement skills.
Playwriting & Set Design
Students explore storytelling from the page to the stage, developing original scripts and creating theatrical design concepts. Through playwriting, revision, and set design projects, they learn how dramatic structure and visual choices shape an audience's experience.
Education & Qualifications
South Eastern Oklahoma State University | Durant, OK
Master of Education - Curriculum & Instruction - Theatre Pedagogy
October 2024 - October 2025
University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO
Graduate Certificate - Social Emotional Learning
August 2026 - Present
The Catholic University of America | Washington, DC
Bachelor of Music - Musical Theatre
August 2011 - May 2015
Moreland University | Washington, DC
Teach Now Teacher’s Preparation Program
March 2023 - November 2023
Professional Experience
Tsinghua International School | Beijing, China
Secondary Drama Teacher, Homeroom Teacher
August 2024 - Present
Lead school theatrical productions from concept to performance, oversee student performers and production elements, develop theatre curriculum in acting, script analysis, and stagecraft, and support student engagement through homeroom lessons and parent communication.
Hess International Education Group | Taipei, Taiwan
English Teacher, Early Childhood Education Teacher
October 2022 - December 2023
Developed students’ English language skills and supported their cognitive, social, and emotional growth through engaging instruction and parent collaboration. Won the Inspirational New Teacher Award.
Professional Musical Theatre Performer
Spent 15 years performing professionally in musical theatre, with credits spanning Off-Broadway productions, international tours, and regional theatres across the United States. This experience continues to inform my approach to theatre education, bringing real-world industry knowledge and practical performance expertise into the classroom.
