DipTeach, BEd (Otago), PGDip – Drama in Education (Griffith)

Evelyn is an accomplished drama practitioner and registered teacher with over 30 years experience. Evelyn specialises in process drama and has considerable expertise in a variety of other ways. Evelyn’s work is often in primary schools working in classrooms with teachers to bring about learning through drama. As well as using drama as a learning medium in classroom programmes Evelyn has:

• Developed school productions through process drama
• Used drama successfully to unwrap meaning for students in Arts Galleries and Museums
• Devised theatre performances for children
• Directed community Wearable Arts performances
• Directed and performed in street theatre and processions
• Run children's theatre classes
• Both acted and directed in theatre.

Evelyn is sought after as a speaker and presenter. She has presented keynote addresses, workshops and papers for conferences and seminars including MEANZ - Museum Educators Assoc, IDEA - International Drama in Education Assoc, Hong Kong, NZ Health Teachers Association, Otago Early Childhood Education Research Conference, and Otago Reading Association.

Evelyn is currently contracted to Theta – Theatre in Health Trust as the Artistic Director. Theta’s work is in the creation, preparation and rehearsal of Theatre In Education around health issues. Currently two teams are touring the programme Sexwise in New Zealand.

Ongoing work includes working as an actor/teacher with Everyday Theatre for Dr Peter O’Connor - Applied Theatre Consultants, Auckland. Evelyn has been part of the Everyday Theatre team since the project began in 2004 and has toured with the group in Tai Tokerau, South and West Auckland, Wairarapa, Whakatane, Wellington, Christchurch, Hawkes Bay and Bay of Plenty areas.

In recent times work has included part-time lecturing in Drama in Education at the Univ of Otago College of Ed, on going work with the educator at Otago Early Settlers Museum, Performance in school assemblies for Health Promoting Schools in Otago, the creation of a production for presentation at the 150th Anniversary Gold Discovery in Tuapeka, and some work with Assoc Professor Peter O’connor in Christchurch Schools post earthquake - “A Teaspoon of Light”.

Evelyn has contributed to the Arts Curriculum resource material in New Zealand as a mentor in the working of the publication of the 'Telling Our Stories" Classroom Drama Years 7 - 10. She was also co-writer of the resource 'Learning In Action' - Eight Process Dramas to teach Level 1 - 4 available on Arts Online.

2008 was Evelyn's final year as Adviser in Drama, for the Education Support Services, Univ of Otago College of Education. She began as an adviser in 2000 with the implementation of the new Arts Curriculum. . Although the Advisory in the Arts – Drama no longer exists Evelyn continues her work in schools, largely throughout Otago and Southland.