Teaching Philosophy

Every teaching experience is an opportunity to inspire students of all majors to access their creativity and to express themselves in a compelling way. Whether I am teaching one of my six Humanities courses, Playwriting to emerging playwrights, English to adult refugees, Nonfiction to returning students, or English Composition and Converged Communication courses, I emphasize the benefits of developing use of creative language in their communications. I encourage students to critically think about an event or piece of art in terms of story. What story is being told? Who is telling the story? Whose story is it? How does it inform our individual narratives?

Stories help us connect, mobilize, promote change, and heal, as well as revel in the wonders of life. My students discover how to uncover, examine, as well as craft stories. Engaging in this practice not only prepares them for their academic and artistic lives, it strengthens their team building, critical thinking skills, collaborative abilities, as well as leadership and communication skills. Those skills have applications in work, social, and scholarly environments. These discoveries contribute to students’ intellectual growth overall. I am able to accomplish this through a commitment to my artistic practice throughout my teaching career, a multidisciplinary approach, and creating an inclusive and dynamic class environment. I incorporate my own expertise with a long history of research for my own artistic work in multicultural theatre, musical theatre, performance, and production, and strongly encourage experimentation. A renewed feeling of accomplishment comes with each class, each semester. It is matched only by the reward from successful artistic practice itself. I make contributions to my field globally, to my college and community through my work as a playwright, as well as through cultivating my students’ creative work. Theatre is urgent, vital and live; that is why I am a playwright. Educator and student communities are urgent, vital and alive; that is why I teach. The opportunity to combine my ongoing artistic work and experiences with teaching, and contribute to unlocking creative expression in students, is what can only be defined as my dream career.

I teach a wide variety of Humanities courses currently for the Florida State College at Jacksonville and have taught Creative Writing /Playwriting, English Composition I and English Composition II (Nonfiction), English for Speakers of Other Languages, and Theatre Practicum over the past thirteen years that I have worked for FSCJ.

I take an individualist approach to each new class of students and embrace the diversity within the class. In one memorable class, for example, students included: dual-enrolled high school students, a Vietnam Veteran, a fifty-five year old divorcee and Cancer survivor, and a young man returning from active duty in Afghanistan. There was astounding breadth of experiences shared as a result. Appreciating this diversity immensely enriched the creative works that emerged.

In my Theatre in the Humanities course (THE 2000,) we explore the concept of “Breaking the Fourth Wall,” when a character talks directly to the audience and “breaks” the imaginary wall between the audience and the world of the characters. Students are instructed to write a monologue in which a character breaks the fourth wall and tell her or history. This is one of my favorite exercises; and beyond the Theatre lens, it is a fitting metaphor for the student community at large. In fact many of my workshops have been entitled “Breaking the Fourth Wall.” Students are encouraged to critically think, trust their instincts, take risks, and ultimately “Break the Fourth Wall.” They develop trust in themselves and their instincts, each other, and me. This is crucial in order for students to reach the next phases of development including the importance of collaboration and critique. Collaboration and critique are difficult steps for students to engage in initially. They often are reluctant to trust their abilities, and doubt their “right” to critique. Another popular exercise I call “Couples Dance,” provides a collaborative experience and pairs students well-developed projects into a collaboration. The exercise challenges them to develop further a project through collaboration while still remaining true to their individual visions.

I stress is an interdisciplinary approach in all of my courses. It is essential for students to have a sense of the relevant historical, cultural, and social contexts of the material presented. Therefore I include supplemental discussions, readings, cultural excursions, and when possible, guest speakers, who are experts in various related fields. My courses are layered with Humanities topics including History, Music, Language, Literature, and Religion. My own international experiences learning other languages, researching, living, writing and performing in Africa and Europe, inform my creative work and reinforce my interdisciplinary approach to teaching. I aim to broaden students’ perspectives, inspire inquiry, and illuminate the connections between us that extend beyond our local community, beyond our borders, and into the world around us. I measure my success through careful reflection and consideration of my students’ evaluations. I encourage students to participate in this process and stress its value providing honest and anonymous assessment of my effectiveness. My annual evaluation and meeting with my dean provides other important feedback. Another measure of my success is through the continued communication from students after the class’s completion. The end of the formal instructor /student relationship is often the beginning of a long-term partnership between the former student and myself. Continued engagement in the campus community and my arts community at large is paramount in serving my students as a mentor throughout their college lives, artistic endeavors and beyond.

Professor Jennifer Chase, Last Lecture on “Finding Fun and Freedom in Failure”

CURRICULUM VITAE

JENNIFER CHASE (aka Jacinta Chaminade)

Playwright

EDUCATION

University of New Orleans Spring 2008

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing/Playwriting

Master Thesis (play): “Handmaid”

[Thesis Committee: Steve Bogart (Chair), Bill Lavender, Jim Grimsley]

University of New Orleans at Suffolk University in Madrid, Spain Summer 2006

Graduate summer residencies -18 graduate hours in residence Summer 2007

University of North Florida Spring 2000

Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Studies (African Focus)

Minor in French

Africa Consultants International, SICAP Baobab, Dakar Senegal Fall 1998

Completion of Intensive Language Study Program of Wolof and French languages as a

Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar

SPECIALIZATIONS

Geographical areas of special interest: Florida, Senegal, France (Nantes), Spain (Madrid, Asturias) and Madagascar.

Specialties: Musical theatre, multicultural theatre, francophone culture (particularly Senegalese culture), musical performance, songwriting.

PROFESSIONAL & TEACHING EXPERIENCE (A SELECTION)

FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE AT JACKSONVILLE 2003 – Present

Theatre in the Humanities (THE 2000)

Playwriting (CRW 2001)

Creative Writing (CRW 2001)

Drama Practicum (THE 2945)

Humanties Cultural Exploration (HUM 2020)

RESEARCH GRANTS

SPOL Grant –September 2017-March 2018 Florida State College at Jacksonville $16,000 and course release to produce a student-driven workshop production of Majigeen.

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE-January- May 2015 Museum of Science and History (MOSH) $5000 to facilitate an essay contest with partnerships between Jacksonville area middle and high schools and St. Felix School in Nantes, France. The essay contest will be in response to critical reading of my original Rock Opera, La Caroline. There will be a Salon discussion/performance at the residency’s conclusion.

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE – June –December 2014 Jacksonville Historical Society $2000 –To conduct research and to write a 50 -minute school –show version of the Rock Opera La Caroline

RESIDENCY – January 2013 CAP 21 MUSICAL THEATRE CONSERVATORY NYC To conduct research for and develop La Caroline with my writing partner/composer, John E. Citrone. We were one of only ten pairs of writers selected from among writers worldwide.

FLORIDA DIVISION OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS RESEARCH QUARTERLY ASSISTANCE GRANT 2000 – Written on behalf of The UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA – Assisted Research Department: To travel to Dakar, Senegal to develop my musical “Majigeen” through a historical conference in collaboration with American, French and Senegalese scholars and artists.

AWARDS

. Artist in Residence Museum of Science and History (MOSH) – January 2015

. Grantee – La Maison des Etats Unis- Nantes, France - July 2015

. Artist in Residence Jacksonville Historical Society- (Division of Cultural Affairs) - 2014

. Art Ventures Awardee /Jacksonville Community Foundation –November 2013-14

. Residency award CAP 21 Musical Theater Conservatory NYC - 2013

. First-round finalist in Eugene O’Neil National Playwrights Conference - 2013

. Grantee Creative Capital Artists’ Workshop - 2012

. President’s Annual Superior Faculty Award - 2012

. Grantee Creative Capital Artists’ Workshop - 2011

. President’s Annual Superior Faculty Award - 2011

. Finalist in Florida Division of Cultural Affairs Individual Artists’ Fellowship - 2010

. Student nominated President’s Annual Superior Faculty Award - 2010

. Rotary Peace and Conflict Fellowship Finalist - 2009

. Florida Division of Cultural Affairs Individual Artists Fellowship finalist - 2008

. University of North Florida Annual Women’s Leadership Award -1998

. Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar to Senegal 1997-1998

TEACHING SERVICE GRANTS (OUTREACH)

• Florida State College Learning Communities Grant: $1500 to create costumes for and

stage a student-driven workshop performance of my original play Handmaid

• Jacksonville Artists’ Company at Kent (J.A.C.K) - A student driven organization I

founded to support acting & writing workshops for students, student performance and development of original work

• Florida State College at Jacksonville Learning Communities Grant $3000- to cover costs

for set design for staging “Majigeen” at the college & to create study guides in English & French with Dr. John Fields

• Florida State College at Jacksonville Teaching /Travel grants $2000 – La Caroline in Nantes, France

• University of North Florida Lyric Translation $500 grant to translate lyrics of original rock opera La Caroline for French audience.

THEATRE PERFORMANCE /PLAYS PRODUCED

I. Renunciant – a solo performance performed in private reading NYC May 2018. Staged reading directed by Barbara Colaciello at Babs’ Lab, Jacksonville, Florida. September 2017. Written and performed by Jennifer Chase.

II. EVA CHASE WOOD? Excerpted scene performed at “Park for Your Problems” a series of monologues at the Davenport Theatre, NYC, May 2018. Performance of full play, directed by Barbara Colaciello at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. January 2016.

III. Cracking la Coque written by Jennifer Chase. Performed at CoRK Arts District. April 2016. Directed by Stephanie Natale Frus.

IV. La Caroline: A rock opera / book and lyrics by Jennifer Chase, music by John E Citrone. The story of René Laudonnière, French, Timucua and Spanish at Ft. Caroline, Florida in 1564.

• Served as the inaugural Artist in Residence at the Museum of Science and History (MOSH)

• Published the La Caroline How Would You End This Story? book (2015.)

• Produced full production in partnership with the Museum of Science and History (MOSH) Jacksonville, Florida (2014.)

• Workshop- Theatre Universitaire, Nantes, France (2014) Playwright, composer John E. Citrone, director, and several cast engaged in a week-long workshop of La Caroline music and script with music directed by Bob Destiny and his band.

• Playwright, Jennifer Chase, and Composer, John E. Citrone received a residency at CAP 21Musical Theater Conservatory in New York City (2013) development of La Caroline.

• Produced two performances in Nantes, France. On July 4th, 2012, plein aire performance & July 6th, production at Salle de Paul Fort Theatre, Nantes, France. Student cast, director, playwright, and production team traveled from Jacksonville to France for ten days sponsored by University of North Florida and Florida State College at Jacksonville.

• Premiere production of staged excerpts performed by a student-driven cast at The Nathan H.Wilson Center for the Performing Arts, June 15, 2012.

• Funding from the University of North Florida and Florida State College at Jacksonville of more than $60,000 to mount local premiere at Wilson Center for the Performing Arts and cast, production team, crew and playwright to travel to Nantes, France and perform in Nantes’ Salle de Paul Fort theatre in July 2012.

• Funding received from Jacksonville Chapter of the Alliance Française to continue musical recording (2012.)

• Commission received from the Sister Cities Organization to complete writing preliminary scenes from Act I and to complete five-song recording (2010.) V. Eva Chase Wood? 2014

Produced & performed - a 1 hr. reading of excerpted monologues (from a memoir in progress) with actor Eva Matthews, live music underscoring, and paintings created by Tony Wood for the show and during the performance. The show was sold out at 65 people per night.

VI. Artichoke Soup “Artichoke Soup” is an interdisciplinary work of autobiographical fiction that combines drama, original music, and black and white filmed scenes.

• Produced the presentation of a staged workshop performance, was produced in partnership with Players by the Sea Theatre (PBTS.) March 17, 2012. PBTS contributed developmental and production assistance for the workshop and premiere event.

• The premiere also included the release of the original 17-song CD “Artichoke Soup”, live performance of the music, and scenes from the full-length drama directed by Christopher Farrell.

• The play was developed at Florida State College at Jacksonville with a student and community theatre driven cast.

VII. Handmaid, a drama with original music: Book, music & lyrics Written by Jennifer Chase

• Production staged at Florida State Community College, May 2010. Directed by Roxanna Lewis. Sponsored in part by Learning Communities Grant, Florida State College at Jacksonville, private sponsors and J.A.C.K. (Jacksonville Artists' Company at Kent)

• Produced interactive study guide for college students of Humanities. Sponsored by Florida State College at Jacksonville.

• Produced developmental workshop and staged Reading @ Florida State College at Jacksonville/ Directed by Robert Arleigh White/ Sponsored by Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Learning Communities Grant & Student Life and Leadership, May 2009.

• The script was published by the University of New Orleans, Thesis Project/ MFA, 2008.

• Produced a workshop of Handmaid sponsored by Jim Draper Studio, December 2007.

VIII. Majigeen- a musical drama: Book, lyrics and music by Jennifer Chase. The story of Anna Kingsley (Anta Majigeen Njaay,) Senegalese teenager turned slave, slave-owner and plantation owner’s wife.

March 2018 Student-driven performance at Florida State College @ Jacksonville

• Majigeen, Lecture /presentation- February 2012 Florida Community College at

Jacksonville

• Majigeen- Production: 2007 University of North Florida Fine Arts Center-

Jacksonville Public Library Auditorium- April 2007 (8 performances)

Choreography by Christa Sylla.

• Majigeen - Performance of the music and dance of Majigeen , with musical direction by Longineu Parsons and choreography by Christa Sylla. The Kingsley Plantation-National Park Services' Annual Kingsley Heritage Celebration. November 2006 sponsored by Florida Humanities Council.

• Majigeen Production. Florida State College at Jacksonville -November 2005 (8 performances sponsored in part by a Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Learning Communities Grant). .Directed by John E. Citrone, Costumes by Kelly Sheffield. Choreography by Christa Sylla. Music Direction by Percival Cacanindin.

• Majigeen Premiere Production -Boomtown Theatre; April 2005 / An Official Florida Heritage Month Event (8 performances). Directed by Noble Lee Lester, Costumes by Kelly Sheffield. Choreography by Christa Sylla. Music Direction by Percival Cacanindin.

Produced Original Recordings (full length CD):

“Kid Jail” (1996)

“Famadihana” (1998)

“Marjorie’s Wake” (2006) (Original music written for the PBS Documentary “In Marjorie’s Wake”

“Artichoke Soup” (2012)

WORK IN PROGRESS

Pietá- The story of an enigmatic paraplegic pot dealer.

Renunciant –Refugees’ stories of straws, food and famine.

Cracking the Coque- A story of Food, Family, France An expatriate

My Interview with Terry Gross (a memoir in progress) –

Two Christians- the story of a twelve-year- old murderer

WORKSHOPS, LECTURES, & PRESENTATIONS (a selection)

• Mayo Clinic Humanities in Medicine Program 2013 & 2014 “Breaking the Fourth Wall

Through a Doctor Patient Lens”- I wrote and facilitated (three) three -hour workshops

for resident physicians conducted at the Cummer Museum of Art.

• La Caroline: Lecture series of Florida State College of Jacksonville (March 2014),

presentation about the La Caroline Rock Opera at each of the five campuses.

• Majigeen, Lecture/performance – February 2012, Florida Community College Jacksonville

• In Marjorie’s Wake Lecture/Performance – screeing of PBS documentary with live performance of music and talk. Cummer Museum of Art 2007

• Keynote speaker and hosted Writers’ Workshop for students of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts- 2006 & 2007

PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE Original Music (a selection)

• Performance with Mr. Bob Destiny and his band- Plein Aire performance, Nantes France July 2014.

• Original Music – Cummer Museum 2011-Present.

•Original music Artichoke Soup- Players by the Sea Theater March 2012.

• Cummer Museum of Art -November 2011- Present.

• Performed at The Cutural Center at Ponte Vedra -2011- Present

• Performed in PBS Documentary “In Marjorie’s Wake” 2007.

• Wrote and recorded 3rd album “Marjorie’s Wake” for Equinox Productions -2006.

• Lecture/Performance at the University of Florida Harn Museum of Art, Gainesville, Florida- 2005.

• Performed Fete de la Musique events: France 2003 (Auvergne ,Tours, Niver, Montlucon, Gouttières, Clermont Ferrand.)

• Performed in PAC’s in Dakar, Senegal with Pape Niang- 1999 & 2000.

• Performance and collaboration with Les Freres Guisse in Dakar, Senegal- 1998.

• Opened for Grammy winners/ The Doobie Brothers/ 2000, Florida Theatre

• Performed with Les Freres Guissé, Goree Island Senegal 1998

• The Khalil Gueye Show- Dakar, Senegal –1998 televised performance.

• Recorded & produced song “Anta Majigeen Njaay” w/special guests Les Freres (Studio 2000, Dakar, Senegal.)

• Opened for Grammy winners / The Rippingtons 1997.

• Performed “La Fete de la Music” (solo) Tours, France 1996.

• Performed rooms / PACs throughout Auvergne, France 1996.

• Opened for Grammy winner Lisa Loeb -1997.

• Florida Songwriter of the year finalist/ two original songs 1996

• Created an educational menu of programs solo performances and workshops that have been performed with “At Risk Youth” groups, students K-12 in the Duval School System and underwritten by Prudential, CSX, Rotary, Douglas Anderson, Theatrreworks, Camp Healing Powers, FSCJ and Northeast Hospice (2007.)

• Create and present educational menu of programs and workshops for “At Risk

• Youth”, students K-12 in the Duval School System and underwritten by Prudential,

• CSX, Rotary, Douglas Anderson SOTA, Theatreworks, FCCJ and N.E Hospice.

SKILLS

• ·Proficiency in French and conversational skills in Spanish and Wolof.

MEMBERSHIP IN ORGANIZATIONS

• ASCAP -1996

• International Centre for Women Playwrights -2007

• Dramatists Guild -2010

• Alliance Française 2013

• Fractured Atlas NYC - 2013

• La Maison des Etats Unis- 2013

Press Links

La Caroline (video) Interview with student performers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNg2jj3x6IE

La Caroline (video) Interview with playwright (Jennifer Chase) composer (John E. Citrone) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bGiqhPVZVg

La Caroline October 2014 (Interview) http://jacksonville.com/news/columnists/charlie-patton/2014-10-13/story/one-us-jennifer-chasebrings-her-new-rock-opera-la

La Caroline – October 2014 Folio Weekly (Interview) http://folioweekly.com/LA-CAROLINE-OFFERS-A-JOURNEY-THROUGH-THEPAST,11179?page=2&

Artichoke Soup – March 2012 Folio Weekly (Interview) http://folioweekly.com/Eat-Play-Love,331

Majigeen (video) Interview (Playwright) Jennifer Chase by Karen Fagans WJCT / Public Radio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU_ZYcbS4PE