Career Roadmap
Diane's work combines: Education, Acting & Theatre, and Upholding a Cause and Belief
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
Rhode Island College
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Actors:
Graduate Degree: Art Teacher Education
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
When I was a teen, I saw my mentally challenged cousin without options for an education.
2.
Then I observed the difference between happy teachers and those who were not.
3.
I always knew I wanted to be a teacher.
4.
In high school I realized I loved being on stage.
5.
I fell into theatre in college, but began checking out alternative high schools in my state.
6.
I started calling myself a creative dramatist and worked in schools promoting reading.
7.
I ran an adult touring theatre for kids, adapting kids'novels, so they could read 'what they saw.'
8.
I went solo. I saw my humor as a tool. I wrote social commentary to promote getting an education.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
In college, the only thing I had as an elective in high school was "drama club". But my advisor placed me in science-related courses. What did I know? I almost got kicked out of college for low scores, until a theatre professor 'found me.'
How I responded:
You might have a hard time with 'authority'. Discern between adults holding you back and adults trying to help. My theatre professor PUSHED me to tears! But I loved that. As a director, I adapted kids novels for the stage, because most plays written for kids were so shallow. It was much more work for me to get permission from authors to script novels, but I didn't care. Same with my stand-up routine. Not every kid laughs, but I keep doing it. At 52, I received an Honorary Degree for my work!
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
My parents divorced. My labels were: "only child" & "from a broken home." We were the only white family in a black neighborhood. My cousin had mental retardation. We got teased for being fat, white & weird! Humor, not fights, conquered all.
I went to my state college. It was a big deal and I was on my own. But my parents trusted me because I loved to learn.