"Dr. j."

Hi! I'm Justine Lemos, your new performing arts teacher, and I couldn't be more glad to be here. I grew up in Mendocino (fifth generation, in fact), and I've spent my life in and around the theater as a performer, director, and choreographer. I hold a Doctoral degree in Anthropology and a Master's in Dance, but around here I mostly answer to miss justine or Dr. j. I also teach adults at Mendocino College in the Anthropology & Theater Departments. 

What I care about most is simple: every student who walks into my room gets to make something, stand in front of an audience ready and proud, and find out they can do more than they thought. Theater builds courage, teamwork, and the ability to think on your feet, and it does all of that while everyone is having a genuinely good time.

Here are the three classes I teach:

Technical Drama —
The class for quick thinkers and makers. We play improv games, build comedy on the spot, and learn the craft that makes a show actually run: lights, sound, sets, and stage crew. If you like to make people laugh, or you like to make things work behind the scenes, this is your class.
Here is the google classroom invite for Technical Drama

Storytelling/ World Stages—
Every culture tells stories, and every student in this class learns to tell one well. We explore storytelling traditions from around the world, and just as importantly, the stories our own families and our own town carry. By the end, each student can stand up and hold an audience with a story of their own.
Here is the google classroom invite for Storytelling

Physical Theater —
The actor's workshop. We train the voice and the body and learn to bring real scripts to life, from classic scenes to Shakespeare made approachable. It's where students learn what it takes to step fully into a character.
Here is the google classroom invite for Physical Theater

I hold my students to a real standard, because I know they can meet it, and no one goes on stage until they're truly ready. I can't wait to get to work. Come say hi.

— Dr. j (miss justine)
jlemos@fbusd.us