S ETH S HAFFER

PROF IL E
A dedicated and passionate educator and lifelong learner with many years of
experience leading in schools as a teacher, teaching artist, mentor, and administrator.
Possesses dynamic teaching skills, and a strong ability in leading and collaborating with
others to foster cohesive teams and communities based on being heard, seen, and
valued. A flexible worker, with strong organizational skills and a great ability in calmly
and strategically solving problems.

ED UCATION
Master of Fine Arts: Puppet Arts 2015
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT

Bachelor of Arts: Theatre Performance 2006

University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
Honors and Awards: Cum Laude, ACTF Irene Ryan Nominee

Bachelor of Arts: Film Production 2006

University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
Honors and Awards: Cum Laude

Associate of Arts: Photography 2003

Northwest State Community College
Archbold, OH

Associate of Sciences: Botany 2003

Northwest State Community College
Archbold, OH

HONORS & AWARDS

Mathnasium Teacher of the Month-Most Exceptional Teacher in the Phoenix Valley-2020

Dean’s List, University of Toledo—2003-2006

Dean’s List, Northwest State Community College—2001-2003

BOOK PUBL ICATIONS

The Dick Myers Project. Luman Coad, Editor. Published by Charlemagne Press, 2017.

TEACHING AND EDUCATION

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BASIS Ed
K-9th Head of School, BASIS Pflugerville, Pflugerville TX-2022-Present
• Oversaw student support programs to ensure students needing academic or
social/emotional help were getting the services needed.
• Key point of contact for the parents, ensuring they were a very important
component of their student’s education.
• Fundraised with the operations teams to ensure we meet our Annual Teacher
Fund goals (for teacher bonuses).
• Collaborated with the parent Booster organization and developed events,
fundraising programs, and campus culture builders through engaging their
active involvement.
• Analyzed data collected by my directors to ensure students needing support
were receiving it.
• Craft coached teachers on best practices in the classrooms to ensure the
students are constantly growing.
• Facilitated the staff meetings weekly, ensuring content presented was aligned
with the needs/goals of our campus.
• Cultivated a monthly virtue program to ensure students understood and could
demonstrate important virtues of being a young adult.
• Planned events, such as the Fall Festival and International Festival, to create a
robust community within our campus.
• Hiring Manager for all faculty and staff at this campus.
• Onboarded new teachers upon starting the new job.
• Evaluated and assessed teachers and staff on campus.
• Documented and shared progress on new school construction through Phase 1
and Phase 2 of construction.
• Coordinated and conducted enrollment events to attract new students and
families to the school.
• Gave weekly tours of our campus for prospective families.
• Attended and assisted with grade level events held after school.
• Developed uniform school rules and procedures to be implemented across
campus.

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K-4th Grade Art & Engineering Subject Expert Teacher, BASIS Austin Primary, Austin,
TX-2020-2021
• Shaped the visual arts and engineering program as a founding member.
• Mentored new BASIS teachers on best classroom practices, online educational
platforms including gradebook, and curriculum guidance.
• Developed 5 curriculums for visual arts and 5 curriculums for engineering.
• Taught students both in engineering and art classes on using 21st Century
thinking skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, and
creativity.

1st-2nd Grade Drama & Music Subject Expert Teacher, BASIS Chandler Primary North,
Chandler, AZ —2018-2020
• Developed curriculums and taught first and second grade drama and music
classes.
• Facilitated providing a collaborative environment where students learned
through process drama, creative drama, and theatre aspects including
storytelling and basics of acting for young performers.
• Directed over 300 students in fall and spring musicals.
• Managed the technical aspects (lighting, sound, set) of school performances.

1st-4th Grade Engineering Subject Expert Teacher, BASIS Chandler Primary North,

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Chandler AZ-2017-2018
• Created curriculums and taught 1st-4th grade engineering courses.
• Developed exciting hands-on projects and activities to explore aspects of
engineering.
• Prepared materials and orders for projects.
• Revitalized the engineering courses through blending arts integration into the
program.

Kinder-Engineering Teaching Fellow, BASIS Chandler Primary North, Chandler, AZ —

2016-2017
• Created curriculum and taught engineering hands-on class projects for
kindergarteners by using puppetry and storytelling as a vehicle to explain
principles of the physical world.
• Encouraged students to try and fail and try again.
• Managed daily the after school Late Bird operation.
• Collaborated with faculty and administration in completing academic and
operational duties around the school.

6th-8th Grade Special Education Paraprofessional, Washtenaw Intermediate School

District, Ann Arbor, MI —2014-2016
• Planned and implemented arts-based curriculum for a middle school special
needs classroom.
• Facilitated providing a safe environment for students, where learning was
adapted to meet each student’s needs.
• Mentored students one-on-one in academic and life-skill learning.
• Facilitated the music therapy sessions on rotation.

Special Education Paraprofessional, Estabrook Elementary School, Ypsilanti, MI —

2013-2014
• Designed and taught curriculum for an elementary school special needs
classroom.
• Created and coordinated extracurricular activities.
• Prepared materials for classroom instruction.
• Taught one-on-one with students.

TEACHING ARTIST
Teaching Artist, ChildsPlay Theatre Company, Tempe, AZ —2018
• Developed and taught summer drama classes for ages 4-6.
• Implemented using puppetry, creative drama, process drama, and young
performer techniques to teach basics of theatre.

Teaching Artist, Puppet Club-Bright Futures, Ypsilanti, MI —2015-2016

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 • Created and facilitated an after-school program for two different elementary
schools that explored different forms of puppetry and puppet history.
• Guided youth in discovering their own puppet design process.
• Directed youth in staging their puppet shows.
• Mentored students on using Growth Mindset as part of the creative process and
learning to apply mindset techniques in their academics and in life.

Teaching Artist, Through My Lens: Youth Film Club-Bright Futures, Ypsilanti, MI —2015
• Developed and facilitated an after-school curriculum that explored the art of
film.
• Taught film-making techniques, storyboard development, film terminology,
critical analysis performing for the camera, and screen writing with youth in
grades first through fifth.
• Mentored youth in the developmental process of writing original short films,
performing, directing, and in the filming of their productions.

Facilitator, Prison Theatre Group, Woodland Correctional Facility, MI—2014-2016

• Collaborated with prisoners in developing their own devised theatre pieces to be
performed.
• Co-facilitated providing a safe and enriching environment where improvisation
and Playback Theatre served as therapeutic experiences for the prisoners.
• Co-designed theatre rehearsal schedules.

Teaching Artist Mentor, Mentor Connection, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT —2012

• Built a puppetry curriculum and mentored inner-city youth in a program
designed to immerse participants into the exploration of puppetry building,
design, and performance.
• Provided a positive environment where puppetry served as a vehicle for creative
expression.
• Mentored youth through dialogue about their future college aspirations.

Teaching Artist, Shaffer Handful Puppets, Ypsilanti, MI —2013-2019

• Facilitated youth puppetry workshops throughout Michigan teaching students
about different forms of puppetry, building and design techniques, and helping
each to develop shows they wrote.

Teaching Artist, Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry, Storrs, CT — 2013

• Planned and taught large puppet workshops for schools as well as for
organizations including Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

Teaching Artist, Madcap Puppet Theatre, Cincinnati, OH —2007-2010

• Created and facilitated large puppet building and designing workshops
designed for ages 3 to 15 years old.

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HIGHER ED UCATION TEACHING
Guest Presenter, Theatre Industry Professionalism, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH —
2008
• Taught a professional networking and development class for theatre majors.

Guest Presenter, Acting II, Elon University, Elon, NC —2008

• Taught puppetry performance and networking in the performing arts to
undergraduate theatre students.

AD M INISTRATION
Assistant House Manager-Nutmeg Series Connecticut Repertory Theatre 2013
Storrs, CT
• Oversaw the front of house upkeep and cleanliness.
• Welcomed and provided theatre patrons with a warm and inviting experience.
• Facilitated organizing ushers and assisted patrons to their theatre seats.
• Managed theatre program numbers and distribution.

Assistant Company Manager-Nutmeg Series Connecticut Repertory Theatre 2013

Storrs, CT
• Administered actor and stage manager contracts.
• Co-managed facilitating transportation for actors and stage managers.
• Collaborated on daily interdepartmental daily operations.

Asst. Stage Manager-Desdemona University of Toledo 2005

Studio Theatre, Toledo, OH
• Facilitated creating actor forms, running list, and rehearsal reports.
• Collaborated with stage manager in the setting up of rehearsal spaces and
performance needs for performances.
• Managed maintaining a safe, clean, and functional work space for rehearsals.
• Ensured actors were prepared for upcoming cues.

TECHNICAL D IRECTOR
• Taught high school students technical theatre aspects while working on
productions at the school including building sets, lighting design programming,
sound programming, and in prop design.
• Maintained the sound and lighting equipment of the theatre.
• Mentored students interested in technical theatre majors for college.
• Built flexible stage for BASIS Pflugerville.

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 • Hung/programmed lighting each rehearsal (with my trained students) since the
portable stage was in the lunchroom. Standard stage lighting was designed,
hung and programmed in a proscenium theatre as well.
• Oversaw live sound/lighting operations during the shows.
• Facilitated and constructed with the students sets and props.

Disney’s Mary Poppins Jr. BASIS Pflugerville 2024

Disney’s Newsies Jr. BASIS Pflugerville 2023
Ichabod BASIS Pflugerville 2022
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast BASIS Chandler 2020
Disney’s Aladin Jr. BASIS Chandler 2019
Disney’s The Little Mermaid BASIS Chandler 2019
Androcles and the Lion BASIS Chandler 2018
The Wizard of Oz BASIS Chandler 2018
The Lion, the Witch… BASIS Chandler 2017
The Giver BASIS Chandler 2017
James and the Giant Peach BASIS Chandler 2016

PROPERTIES M ANAGER/D ESIGNER

• Oversaw keeping an accurate account of finished puppets and props.
• Managed the upkeep of puppets and props.
• Built props and puppets based on director’s artistic vision.

Lily Plants a Garden Eastern Michigan University 2016

Sponberg Theatre
Home Grown Shaffer Handful Puppets 2015
Slam Network
Velveteen Rabbit Eastern Michigan University 2014
Theatre for the Young Regional Tour
Princess and the Pea Shaffer Handful Puppets 2013
Regional Tour
Summer Nutmeg Series Connecticut Repertory Theatre 2013
Jorgensen Theatre
Magic Pudding University of Connecticut 2012
Puppet Arts Film
Farmer’s Timepiece University of Connecticut 2012
Puppet Arts Film
A Dream Play University of Connecticut 2011
Connecticut Repertory Theatre

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Desdemona University of Toledo 2005
Studio Theatre

L EAD ERSHIP POSITIONS

Head of School BASIS Pflugerville 2021-Present
Board Member Puppeteers of America 2017-2019
President Puppet Club 2013
University of Connecticut
Treasurer Alpha Psi Omega 2004-2006

CONF ERENCE & F ESTIV AL EXPERIENCE

Puppetry 101, TV, Education Phoenix Fan Fest 2016
Facilitator With Stacey Gordon Phoenix, AZ
Puppet & Scholar Liaison International Puppet Conference 2011
University of Connecticut
Director-48 Hour Playwright University of Toledo 2006
Festival

M USEUM EXPERIENCE
Curator, Exceptional and Uncommon: The Puppetry of Dick Myers, Ballard Museum
of Puppetry, Storrs, CT —2013
• Curated and designed an exhibit highlighting the life of puppeteer Dick Myers
and his puppets.
• Spearheaded the restoration of puppets and puppeteer’s items donated to the
museum’s collection.
• Researched and developed exhibit information placards.
• Hosted events based on the exhibit.

Docent and Audio-Visual Archivist, Ballard Museum of Puppetry, Storrs, CT —2010-2013

• Conducted guided tours of the museum.
• Researched and helped design museum exhibits.
• Maintained the museum facility.

THEATRE & PERF ORM ANCE TRAINING

Playback Theatre Training Eastern Michigan University 2013
Clowning Techniques Avner the Eccentric-University of Connecticut 2013
Television Puppetry Martin P. Robinson-University of Connecticut 2013
Fitzmaurice Technique Kirby Wahl-University of Toledo 2003-2006
Shakespeare Cornel Gabara-University of Toledo 2004-2006

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CONF ERENCE & SYM POSIUM PRESENTATIONS
New Publications in Puppetry, National Puppetry Festival, University of Minnesota,
Minneapolis, MN —2019

• Engaged audiences through a symposium discussion on the research and

restoration process writing for my book The Dick Myers Project.

• Co-facilitated in a discussion panel with fellow academic and historical puppetry

writers in the field.

The Life of Puppeteer Dick Myers, Ballard Institute & Museum of Puppetry Storrs, CT, —
2013

• Presented a lecture at the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry about the
life and puppet works by Dick Myers.

Puppetry For the Very Young, National Puppetry Festival, Concordia University, St. Paul,
MN, — 2017

• Facilitated a conference workshop for educators, puppeteers, and theatre artists

on the developmental stages of 0-3 and the impacts of puppetry for the very
young in terms of motor functioning, socialization, and creative thinking.

PROF ESSIONAL & ACAD EM IC AFF ILIATIONS

American Alliance for Theatre and Education 2015-Present
TYA-USA (Theatre for Young Audiences) 2015-Present
Puppeteers of America 2010-Present
Fractured Atlas 2015-Present
Union Internationale de la Marionette 2010-2012
Alpha Psi Omega 2004-Present

INTERNSHIP EXPERIE NCE

Production Intern Bob’s Furniture, Manchester, CT 2011
• Created stop-motion animation puppets for commercials, which aired
throughout New England and Michigan.
• Partnered with other designers in creating a cohesive vision for commercial
projects.
• Collaborated with a team to develop commercials focusing on the information
and goals provided by management.

OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE

Graduate Assistant: Puppet Arts University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 2012-2013
• Managed the organization and upkeep of the carpentry shop.

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 • Trained students on the skills needed to operate machinery within the shop.
• Managed the paint and dye shop by ensuring materials were kept stocked,
cleaned, and
properly stored.

Shaffer Handful Puppets Co-Artistic Director, Ypsilanti, MI 2013-2018

• Oversaw the overall operation of the company.
• Orchestrated collaborating with theatres and schools to bring in workshops and
performances.
• Performed workshops and performances.

Puppeteer Madcap Puppet Theatre, Cincinnati, OH 2007-2010

• Performed puppet shows throughout the U.S. as well as with the Cincinnati
Conservatory of Music’s Opera program and the Linton Music Series.
• Taught puppetry building workshops for youth.

L ANGUAGES
• Fluent English
• Introductory French

REF ERENCES

Available upon Request

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