My Portfolio
A collection of work samples, featured projects, and class materials I have developed throughout my career.
This page is designed to give you a deeper look into my skills, experience, creativity, and expertise by providing hard evidence of my career development.
MBA & MFA Thesis
Fantastical Storytelling for Modern Moral Audiences:
Exploring how Dramaturgical Research Can Inform Social Responsibility in Fantasy Media
Master's thesis collection, Department of Theatre Arts, Long Beach California State University, 2023
Abstract
Engaging in escapism and entertainment by indulging in stories of fantasy and wonder is a centuries-old tradition. From The Brothers Grimm to Disney, from Frankenstein to Star Wars, the genre of fantastical fiction has been evolving with each new generation. As society evolves, so do our audiences. The internet has become a tool for spreading knowledge and information, sharing opinions, experiences, and injustices. Like-minded readers and watchers have created online communities to share praise and criticisms on social media. Organized internet criticism, or “cancel culture,” has become significant enough to influence the success of even the largest media producers.
How can artists, writers, and producers keep up with the ever changing standards of society? How can we break the cycle of misrepresentation when many common tropes and themes of fantasy have roots sunk deep in harmful stereotypes and cultural inaccuracies? How can we give agency and depth to our mythical creatures and create worlds that balance rich tradition with progressive moral standards? How do we plan and compensate for details and interpretations that could be perceived as harmful messages perpetuated by these stories?
The answer may lie in investing in expansive dramaturgical research and ethical worldbuilding. By utilizing these methods, writers and producers may discover that inclusive and accessible fantasy media is not so far out of reach.
Undergrad Honors Thesis
This thesis named me the sole recipient awarded Highest Honors from the University of California, San Diego Theatre & Dance Department, Class of 2020, for my research in Theatre Theory. This is where I received my Bachelor's Degree, Cum Laude.
Abstract
Live theatre is a singular experience that cannot be recreated on film or television. It has a thrill all it’s own, it is timeless and extravagant, and yet its popularity is declining. The insightful and important social narratives told onstage, and the unique artistry and craft that goes into a live performance can only continue to be cultivated and shared if they continue to have an audience. There are still so many new and fantastic stories to be told, stories whose impact could be lost if left on paper or told on screen. While Broadway remains a successful leader in entertainment, local community theatres are boarding up their windows, and professional regional theatres are struggling to fill their seats. Why is there such a disconnect, and how can we reverse this decline? In this thesis, I will explain why I believe there is a direct correlation between the declining popularity of live theatre and the marketing practices and business models of the theatre community.
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In this thesis work, I will be presenting my research on the history of marketing trends in the theatre industry, along with the interviews and data collected specifically from the professional theatres of San Diego, focusing primarily on the La Jolla Playhouse and the San Diego Repertory Theatre. My goal is to uncover the unique obstacles that the theatre faces in this modern industry. I hope to shed light on how these practices can be modernized and improved across the theatre industry and the San Diego community.
Business & Branding Development
Samples of the Branding Guides and Logos I have developed for clients through Unlock Creative
Liza Garza
I worked with Liza Garza to develop her personal brand, as well as consulted in business development for both her LLC and her 501c3. She guided me through her ideas and I wove them into a cohesive business plan and branding guide. I developed every aspect of these guides with her, from her color palette to her mission statement. I also developed her finished logo by hand in Procreate, so when would have a high-resolution, sizeable, transparent background PNG to use outside of the Canva application. In this gallery, I feature multiple graphics and logos that I developed for her throughout the process.
Jarrell Hamilton Foundation Inc
I worked with the founder, Jarrell, to help develop her business plan and her social media branded content. I built, organized, and edited her vision for the 501c3 into a cohesive business plan, from which I also developed grant letters, program descriptions for her website, and a pitch deck presentation to deliver her ideas to potential collaborators. Parts of her pitch deck are included in this gallery, as well as some of the social media content that I developed for her organization.
California Repertory & CSULB Theatre
Samples of the media content, event programs, and email graphics I've made for CalRep & CSULB Theatre
