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Restorative Theatre Training Method, in ACTION!
Restorative Theatre Training Method, in ACTION!
I am bursting with excitement to facilitate a Restorative Theatre Training Method training for my colleague Allison McCartney Ognibene and her students at Sussex Community College!
My research, the Restorative Theatre Training Method (RTTM) ), focuses on deconstructing and reimagining audition, rehearsal and performance practices and processes. This is a new model that places wellbeing at the center of applied practice for theatre actors, directors, writers and audiences.
It’s this kind of forward thinking that empowers each one of us, faculty, administrators and students to be the change we need for a theatre industry that hasn’t always kept pace with the ways of being and ways of knowing that make theatre more than a labor extraction practice.
#RestorativeTheatre #RestorativePedagogy #RestorativePractices #Wellbeing
In April 2026 I served as talk-back moderator for the Cathy Hughes School of Communications at Howard University for the talkback with Aleshea Harris, debut screenwriter and director of her play turned screenplay, Is God Is.
The evening before the talk back discussion a packed movie theatre full of students were able to attend a special screening of the film in preparation for the conversation with the writer/director.
Miss Harris was gracious with our audience in discussing her process, her journey as a playwright and screenwriter and what's next on her creative path!
I am so deeply moved by Marjuan Canady, Nina Angela Mercer, Ph.D. and Seshat Yon'shea Walker’s event to honor DC Black Women Visionaries in DC Black Theatre held at Howard University on February 26, 2026.
I had the privilege of sharing a tribute to director, poet and playwright Jennifer Nelson.
Honestly the night was like a DC Black Theatre family reunion. So many people I taught, worked with and academic colleagues were in attendance.
I left feeling thankful for in person community because it absolutely feeds the soul!
Thank you to the Ford's Theatre team for trusting me to repeatedly lead and facilitate in support of their mission!
Thank you to the Ford's Theatre team for trusting me to repeatedly lead and facilitate in support of their mission!
February 14, 2026 I closed out my 3 third year leading and facilitating for Ford’s Theatre’s A First Look: From Quill to Curtain playwriting series. In 2023 we started with Writing the Solo Work followed by Adapting the Novel for the Stage in 2024, Adapting Source Material for Musical Theatre in 2025 and this year, Crafting Plays Inspired by History.
February 14, 2026 I closed out my 3 third year leading and facilitating for Ford’s Theatre’s A First Look: From Quill to Curtain playwriting series. In 2023 we started with Writing the Solo Work followed by Adapting the Novel for the Stage in 2024, Adapting Source Material for Musical Theatre in 2025 and this year, Crafting Plays Inspired by History.
My favorite thing about this series was the diversity of participants and play ideas! Today the students had live readings of excerpts from their plays. They loved the structure and said they learned so much. Several students attended all of the masterclasses over the 3 years. I really love working from my sweet spot!
My favorite thing about this series was the diversity of participants and play ideas! Today the students had live readings of excerpts from their plays. They loved the structure and said they learned so much. Several students attended all of the masterclasses over the 3 years. I really love working from my sweet spot!
Featured Speaker Engagements
A sampling of Denise's speaking engagements:
(2026) International Institute of Restorative Practices Graduate School
(2026) Sussex County Community College
(2026) Ford's Theatre
(2025) State of DC Black Theatre
(2025) Black Theatre Network
(2025) Ford's Theatre
(2024) Multi-Media Training Group
(2024) Ford's Theatre
(2024) Diva Inc.
(2023) Prince George's Film Festival
(2023) Amazon Studios/Def Creative Lab
(2023) Duke Ellington School of the Arts
(2022) Arena Stage
(2022) Prince George's Film Festival
(2021) Weston Playhouse
(2020) HBO: Between The World and Me
(2020) Netflix: The Forty-Year-Old Version
(2020) Penn State African American Read In
(2019) University of Texas Blackademics TV (2014-2019)
(2019) Howard University Department of Theatre Arts
(2019) Mosaic Theatre Company
(2018) Arena Stage
(2018) Black Theatre Network
(2016) August Wilson Society
(2015) University of Maryland Graduate Student Association
(2012) African Continuum Theatre
'Guest Expert Scholar for the play "ZORA"
'Guest Expert Scholar for the play "ZORA"
Keynote Speaker: DIVA Writers Scholarship Tea
Keynote Speaker: DIVA Writers Scholarship Tea
In collaboration with Amazon Studios I taught a day long TV Scriptwriting intensive in Stone Mountain Georgia for students in the Def Creative Lab program!
Moderator for keynote speaker Michele Shay during the 2021 biennial AWS Colloquium March 2021
Dramaturgy Talk Back Moderator: Black Nativity
Dramaturgy Talk Back Moderator: Black Nativity
Dramaturge panelist for Taking Center Stage: Under-told Stories in the American Theatre at Ford's Theatre
Dramaturge panelist for Taking Center Stage: Under-told Stories in the American Theatre at Ford's Theatre
Molly's Salon Guest Speaker: guest speaker on Molly's Salon with Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith.
Molly's Salon Guest Speaker: guest speaker on Molly's Salon with Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith.
Ford's Theatre Dramaturge for "Written Then, Spoken Now: African American Letters to Lincoln"
Ford's Theatre Dramaturge for "Written Then, Spoken Now: African American Letters to Lincoln"
Penn State 30th Anniversary African American Read-In
Penn State 30th Anniversary African American Read-In
Featured author/playwright for the 30th anniversary of the African American Read-In. Learn more - Click Here
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