Lena Wallace Black, Director of Outreach and Education
Lena received her BFA in Theatre Performance from The University of Memphis and is an Ostrander award winning actress that has performed with many theatre companies around Memphis. Lena worked as a ShoWagon teaching artist for 4 years before taking on the role of Manager and Outreach of Education and now the position of Director. A product of TM's own educational programming, Lena brings a plethora of first-hand knowledge to this leadership position.
showagon@theatrememphis.org, 901.682.5261
Claire Rutkaukas, Community Engagement Coordinator of Outreach & Education
With a BA in English/Drama from Queens University of Charlotte, North Carolina, Claire has a strong history of experience with youth and alternative instruction and writing in educational theatre. Most recently she was the Director of several programs at Playhouse on the Square in Memphis, Tennessee, including the Summer Youth Conservatories, Teens ‘N Theatre, Q&A (Queer Youth Theatre Troupe) and ASAP (After School Acting Program). Within those roles she was responsible for many things associated with each position that respectively applied to duties in administrative, marketing, budgeting, designing, directing, casting, curricula, hiring, grant research and registration. As a teaching artist, she has also created and managed databases, a social media presence and handled booking events for youth workshops and summer programs in the MidSouth.
crutkauskas@theatrememphis.org, 901.682.5261