Mary Mather

Director

Music Director

Choreographer

Voice and Piano Instructor

Education

Master of Music in Music Theatre-Oklahoma City University; music merit scholarship; 3.9 G.P.A.  May 2007
Bachelor of Arts. in Music Performance-Murray State University; minor in movement; honors diploma; full academic scholarship; 4.0 GPA.  May 2005.  

ARTS EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Director, Music Director & Choreographer, 2023-current
Kirkwood Theatre Guild, St. Louis Shakespeare, Riverside Theatre Project

Provided Music Direction or Choreography for adult and student productions of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Sound of Music

Selected and prepared audition & callback materials, contributed to creation of production rehearsal calendars, attended auditions/callbacks, and collaborated with the creative team throughout the casting process.

Created blocking, vocal practice tracks and original choreography in addition to teaching the material during in-person rehearsals.  Attended production team meetings, provided feedback & support for the cast throughout the rehearsal process, communicated with the creative & technical team in preparation for tech week in addition to coordinating warm-ups, safety calls, managing performance tracks & sound cues during performances.


Group Voice, Private Voice & Acting Instructor, 2017-2022
Gateway Academy to the Performing Arts, Denville, NJ

Provided instruction in group voice, private voice, and acting to over 60+ students, ages 8-18.  Ensured that instruction methods and philosophy adhered to the overall mission and values of the studio.

Developed acting curriculum that address fundamentals of drama and technical theatre.  Established course material that supported the growth and development of drama students who varied in skill and experience.  Created a classroom environment which encouraged artistic exploration as well as the social and emotional development of both the individual and the class ensemble.

Provided vocal instruction to students in both an individual and group format.  Created lesson plans for both environments addressing vocal pedagogy, vocal health, aural skills, music theory, and music history.  In addition to vocal development, provided support for personal artistry as well as mentoring students for music projects and auditions both in and outside of the studio.

Collaborated with fellow teaching artists and studio directors on performance opportunities for the students.  Selected and taught song selections for annual voice recital.  Assisted with selection of acting scenes and voice numbers, staging, rehearsals, and backstage management of six variety productions per studio season.


Music Director, Choreographer & Theatre Department Production Team, 2014-2017
Westridge School for Girls, Pasadena, CA

Provided Music Direction for the theatre department 2014-2015, 2015-2016, and 2016-2017 productions of Into the Woods, A Little Princess, and Mary Poppins.  Selected all audition and callback music materials, assisted in the pre-screening and interview process of orchestra musicians, created detailed cue and cut sheets for orchestra, provided verbal and written feedback for musicians, organized and conducted sitzprobes.  Collaborated with the director to ensure that tempos, scenic transition music, and dynamics supported the overall vision for the production.

Created original choreography for the theatre department 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 productions of Into the Woods, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Little Princess, and The Liar (curtain call choreography).  Movement for each production was designed to align with the director’s vision for each show so as to contribute to a cohesive production.

Researched dance history and popular dance movements to provide an essence of authenticity to choreography for productions with a historical design aesthetic.

As Music Director and Choreographer, created rehearsal calendars for both music and dance aspects of productions.  Within the room, provided instruction and feedback for casts of 30+ students.  Recorded audio, visual, and written vocal and movement materials for at-home practice.  Provided additional instruction in vocal/dance pedagogy and vocal health.  Collaborated with director to provide vocal support during put-in rehearsals for understudies.

Participated in all applicable pre-production, production, and post-production meetings for the 2014-2017 seasons.  Collaborated with fellow designers, under the direction of the Artistic Director, to create design elements which supported the overall vision for the production.

Collaborated with director, production staff, and technicians to create and implement tech rehearsal calendars.

Worked closely with audio engineers to ensure vocal and instrumental balance.  Provided audio engineers with detailed musical information to assist in development of mic plots.  Served as a liaison between the audio engineers and the orchestra musicians.

Provided letters of reference at students’ request for applications for pre-college summer arts programs.

Mentored student leadership team, specifically Assistant Directors and Dance Captains, with regards to their work and involvement in music and choreography rehearsals.

Musical Theatre, Improv Instructor & Curriculum Development, 2015-2016
Polytechnic School, Pasadena, CA

Developed curriculum and lesson plans for musical theatre and improvisation courses geared toward elementary students ages 5-10.  In addition to course content, curriculum also addressed socio-emotional development of students and integrated other core subject content, i.e Math and Science.

Provided daily instruction in music and drama using a variety of group and individual activities. Introduced music and drama fundamentals including elements of music and theatre history, music theory, technical theatre, and aural skills. Created an atmosphere that promoted creative expression and exploration while fostering a sense of ensemble amongst peers.

Organized and delegated duties for over 30+ high school assistants and professional teacher aides.  Communicated course and student needs to assistants and aides, encouraged participation, feedback and insights on student development and comprehension of material.

Established and maintained line of communication with parents to provide updates on students’ progress and general well-being within the class.  Additionally, maintained an open dialogue with fellow faculty and program staff to ensure students’ physical, emotional health and safety.


Musical Theatre Voice & Acting Instructor, 2011-2013
Glendale Center Theatre, Glendale, CA

Provided singing and acting instruction for students ages 6-14.  Curriculum included introduction to music and acting fundamentals as well as performance pieces.

Collaborated with program director and teaching staff to create thematic content for individual three-week sessions.  Also developed full-camp activities to foster sense of ensemble across ages and skill levels contributing towards overall social growth.

Selected music for each student level which supported the overall thematic goals.  Upon selection of music pieces, provided music instruction to students and created staging and choreography to be presented during a final, staged performance.
 
Provided additional opportunities for study by selecting exploratory pieces for each level,   
performed for an audience of their peers.

Supervised and mentored over 30+ student aides over the duration of the program.  Created opportunities for aides to contribute to the program by leading class activities.  Also actively supported their artistic development and expression by including student aides in the development of choreography, staging, and technical elements.

Voice, Diction, & Acting Instructor, 2010-2012
Discovery OnStage, North Hollywood, CA

Provided instruction in voice, diction, and acting for students ages 6-15.  Developed curriculum for the courses that supported the company’s mission and values as dictated by the artistic directors.

Worked with students to create foundation and framework for original, student-led, plays.  Guided classes through the process of developing the given circumstances for their original piece,
provided instructor and student feedback, both verbal and written, to the professional play-writing team.

Mentored and supervised student aides.  Provided opportunities for their participation as well as instructional growth both within the scope of individual classrooms and the program as a whole.

Musical Theatre Instructor, 2008-2010
STAGES Performing Arts Academy, St. Louis, MO

Developed curriculum to provide an introduction into the three components of musical theatre; music, drama, and dance.  Elements of course work included improvisation, fundamentals of voice, dance pedagogy, music history, and prop design and creation.

Coordinated with a co-teacher to create lesson plans which utilized a team-teaching style.  Collaborated with co-teacher in order to learn and develop new skills based on co-teacher’s areas of expertise.

Created a presentation on the final day of each session wherein students could share their progress by performing choreographed and staged musical numbers.  Also strove to implement final day activities that incorporated parents into presentation and fostered an element of student-parent interaction.


Director of Drama, 2007-2009
Camp Skylemar, Naples, ME

Directed two productions per summer session that incorporated both school-aged children and collegiate/adult performers.

Selected all audition material, coordinated auditions and callbacks, developed rehearsal schedules, designed sets, costumes, and props, organized backstage crews, and assisted in construction of all sets and props.

Performed additional senior staff duties as dictated by the Heads of Camp.  Included developing and leading full camp social and creative activities, organizing and overseeing members of the counseling staff during said activities, and encouraging and managing participation by campers.

Oklahoma City University Stripped Student Project, 2005-2007
Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma City, OK

Served as a board member for the 2005-2006, specifically as a member of selection committee for the new works festival.  As such, read and reviewed all submissions to the project and provided feedback to assist the Production Director in finalist decisions.

Directed one of the selected musicals as part of the new works festival.  Oversaw all aspects of audition, casting, rehearsal, and staging of selected show.  Collaborated with ASCAP winners and professional composer and lyricist team of the selected show in order to have an accurate context and framework for developing an artistic vision for the festival presentation.

Directed an established musical in conjunction with the project’s fall presentation.  Oversaw all aspects of auditions, callbacks, casting, rehearsal, and staging of selected show.  Closely mentored participation of student Assistant Director and student Musical Director.  

Drama Instructor, 2005
Lexington Children’s Theatre, Lexington, KY

Worked within a team-teaching format to develop and implement curriculum that encompassed drama and music fundamentals to students ages 4-14.

Participated in weekly artistic meetings and provided/received feedback on teaching and directing strategies.

Designed weekly productions including selection, procurement, and/or creation of costume, set, prop, lighting, and sound design.


Campus Lights Board of Production, 2004-2005
Murray State University, Murray, KY

Participated in show nominations for selection committee approval.

Served as choreographer for 2005 musical production.  As such, participated in creation and implementation of rehearsal schedules, reservation of campus facilities, assisted with advertisement, costume, and set design/construction.

Created original choreography to be performed by 30+ collegiate performers.  Managed choreography rehearsals and assisted in full show and tech rehearsals.