Before joining The Waldo to help develop their education program, Mia was the Director of Education for Open Door Arts in Boston, MA where she designed and managed collaborations between teaching artists, schools, and cultural institutions with the goal of providing inclusive and accessible arts experiences. In addition to her work as an administrator, she has worked as a Teaching Artist for over 13 years specializing in developing drama programming for students with autism and emotional trauma in independent settings as well as within schools. She has also developed and led training about inclusion best practices within arts programming for cultural institutions across the country including Roundabout Theatre (NYC) and Wheelock Family Theatre (Boston). Mia holds a masters in education from Harvard University and a bachelor's degree in Musical Theatre Performance from American University.

We are thrilled to welcome Improv Artist, Ryan Jackson, to The Waldo to expand your minds and fill your bellies with laughter! In this series of workshops, participants will engage in various Improvisation games and prompts to improve skills in storytelling, conversation, and interacting with others. You'll become experts on subjects you didn't know about before, and embrace your inner fool. Each session, participants will learn the tips and tricks that allow for uninhibited creation and the trusting of your acting instincts. Whether this is your first time, or you're already an old pro, come have some fun! Come for one or come for all!

Ryan Jackson is a born and raised Mid-Coast Maine teaching artist who has performed all over Maine for over 25 years. A 2012 graduate from the University of Maine with his BFA in Theatre, Ryan has worked professionally regionally as well as with many community organizations. Ryan performed Off-Broadway in NYC as apart of the first ever New York City Children’s Theatre Festival in the Production of the Velveteen Rabbit. In addition to being a company member of Everyman Repertory Theatre, Ryan is the site coordinator for After School Programming at RSU 13 for Oceanside Middle School. With his passion for improvisation, puppets, character work and theatre in general, Ryan is thrilled to have this opportunity to join the Waldo team. 

Teralyn earned her MFA-Acting from the University of Montana. She has had the privilege to work as a Teaching Artist, Performer, and Director throughout the US, Europe, and Asia. She is the Founder/Executive Director of Storytree Theatre (www.storytreetheatre.org), which focuses on cultivating community through performance by working with local artists to create original plays within schools and communities. During the pandemic, Teralyn developed Theatreteacher.org, which offers fully realized arts-infused lesson plans; it is also home to Playwright's Pal, an online writing tool for anyone who wants to write a play. As a performer Teralyn has worked with a variety of theatres including Missoula Children's Theatre, Montana Repertory Theatre, and Daegu Theatre Troupe. As a Teaching Artist, Teralyn has worked with the Educational Theatre Association, developed online lessons for The Kennedy Center, and received a National Artist Fellowship from the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts. Teralyn and her tiny family of three are very happy to finally call Maine home.