Phi Johnson-Grimes (They/Them)

Hey! My name is Phi (pronounced like you're paying a fee, not like the letter of the Greek alphabet). I'm a multidisciplinary artist from Denver, Colorado: specializing in acting, singing, directing, and visual art. I have a great passion for education and love sharing my knowledge of my craft with the next generation of theatre makers. I also love visual art, cosplay, sustainability, reading, and exploring new places.

I graduated from Muhlenberg College in May 2022 with my Bachelor of Arts in Theatre: concentrations in Directing and Acting. In my time there, I had the opportunity to direct many productions such as The Yellow Boat, Knockers, and Feeding the Moonfish. In the Spring of 2022, I also revamped the annual tradition of putting on a fully student produced production of "The Vagina Monologues", a tradition that had been put on hiatus for several years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The production raised over $300 for Turning Point Lehigh Valley: a local shelter for victims of domestic violence and abuse.

I believe that all students should be given the chance to learn, grow, and thrive in a safe, inclusive, encouraging environment. Every student is different: they all come from a variety of backgrounds and each experiences the world around them in a unique way. It is a teacher’s duty to uplift their students, listen to their voices, and lay the foundation for them to succeed according to each student’s individual needs. Specifically pertaining to the arts, I believe that every child should receive a quality arts education. The arts help build confidence, give them a space to truly express themselves, and teach students important social, career, and general life lessons. 

In my classroom: I plan to incorporate lessons in improvisation, scene work, theatrical knowledge and history, physical theatre, playwriting, theatre and performance in other cultures, as well as plan to put on a variety of relevant and interesting productions for students to participate in. Through all of these lessons, as well as continual student support, I wish to engage students and get them excited to participate in the arts and learn something new. I hope my classroom is always a place where they can feel welcome, safe, and like they are able to reach their full potential as both performers and learners. In addition, my students have a lot to teach me about what it means to be a better artist and human. 

Since graduating, I have leapt into the world of theatre education, as well as back into the local Denver theatre scene as an actor, director, and designer. I'm super excited to see what new opportunities and adventures are in store!