teaching philosophy.
To me, theatre making is storytelling. Whether you’re acting, directing, designing or anything in between. Excellent theatre making is when theatre artists (i.e. storytellers) tap into their inner childlike imaginative play to tell the most truthful version of the story they have been tasked with telling. It is for this reason that imagination and play are the cornerstone of my teaching philosophy. I find this approach not only makes the work itself more engaging as an educator, but also provides a learning space where “mistakes” become opportunities and where bravery and risk are celebrated. As they should be!
Another key ingredient in storytelling is community. Therefore I aim to build a strong sense of ensemble in every class that I teach. I do this by setting clear expectations around listening, boundaries, support and respect for yourself and others. Often I’ll invite the group I am working with to add their own expectations to this list. This allows everyone in the room to build our community together and invest in the time we are about to spend together.
As an actor, educator and life-long learner with over 15 years of professional experience I fully expect to learn as much from the students I teach as I hope they learn from me. In fact, it’s in these lessons that I often find that I do my best teaching. That’s to say, as a teacher, I am open to changing the game plan, seizing the moment and seeing what lessons we all learn from following an unexpected path.
My hope is that in employing imaginative play, truth, community and room for the unexpected I create a classroom where students not only learn about acting, but about themselves, each other and the world around them. I believe gaining a better understanding of these things makes us all better humans, storytellers and by extension creates a better world.
Another key ingredient in storytelling is community. Therefore I aim to build a strong sense of ensemble in every class that I teach. I do this by setting clear expectations around listening, boundaries, support and respect for yourself and others. Often I’ll invite the group I am working with to add their own expectations to this list. This allows everyone in the room to build our community together and invest in the time we are about to spend together.
As an actor, educator and life-long learner with over 15 years of professional experience I fully expect to learn as much from the students I teach as I hope they learn from me. In fact, it’s in these lessons that I often find that I do my best teaching. That’s to say, as a teacher, I am open to changing the game plan, seizing the moment and seeing what lessons we all learn from following an unexpected path.
My hope is that in employing imaginative play, truth, community and room for the unexpected I create a classroom where students not only learn about acting, but about themselves, each other and the world around them. I believe gaining a better understanding of these things makes us all better humans, storytellers and by extension creates a better world.
student testimonials.
"Throughout my years as a BA Theater student at Brooklyn College, I have taken many acting classes with many acting teachers. While I’ve enjoyed every single one, I don’t feel that any of them were as effective as when I was in Susan’s acting class. Her teaching skills along with her great energy truly made me feel by the end of the semester that my acting had improved and I felt much more confident about myself as an actor.”
- Mark Vazquez, Brooklyn College, Spring 2023
"From the very beginning, Susan was always welcoming and encouraging. Through her extensive knowledge of acting as a craft and the acting business, she provided me with valuable information and skills. She created a safe space that allowed for growth and vulnerability. "
- Jazmin Flores, Brooklyn College, Fall 2022 and Spring 2023
"The feedback she gives is detailed and her methods of improvement are always clear. She is by far the most encouraging and considerate professor that I have had. "
- Amanda Erwin, Brooklyn College, Fall 2021
"Susan made class exciting and engaging. Every activity was very intentional, interactive, and applicable to the lesson. She created a safe space that encouraged the class to push themselves without having to worry about the outcome. It made me, someone with little to no acting experience, feel comfortable."
- Eliana de Sa, Brooklyn College, Fall 2021
- Mark Vazquez, Brooklyn College, Spring 2023
"From the very beginning, Susan was always welcoming and encouraging. Through her extensive knowledge of acting as a craft and the acting business, she provided me with valuable information and skills. She created a safe space that allowed for growth and vulnerability. "
- Jazmin Flores, Brooklyn College, Fall 2022 and Spring 2023
"The feedback she gives is detailed and her methods of improvement are always clear. She is by far the most encouraging and considerate professor that I have had. "
- Amanda Erwin, Brooklyn College, Fall 2021
"Susan made class exciting and engaging. Every activity was very intentional, interactive, and applicable to the lesson. She created a safe space that encouraged the class to push themselves without having to worry about the outcome. It made me, someone with little to no acting experience, feel comfortable."
- Eliana de Sa, Brooklyn College, Fall 2021
experience and cv.
You can view my extensive teaching and educational experience on my CV linked below.
| susan_myburgh_cv.pdf |
