About me
Hello— I’m Helen!
Originally from New Jersey, I began my path as a young oboe player, and grew into acting and dancing with local opera companies.
Since then, my life served a myriad of connected experiences: attending operas as a teenager, buying my first score at Patelson’s in NYC, performing in University of Miami’s wind ensemble at Carnegie Hall, fundraising for arts non-profits, serving and leading a community opera company’s Board of Directors — all led to the creation of my career as a stage director and intimacy choreographer.
As a director, I have helmed a range of productions across various styles and genres. Highlights of my directing work can be seen here. As an intimacy choreographer, my work is at the forefront of consent-based, authentic physical storytelling.
Not On My Resume
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Duty Of Care
My training, empathy, and “spidey sense” are the basis of avoiding behaviors and assumptions that could result in the developmental and emotional harm of others.
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Modification
I fit my pedagogical approach and content to age, education, and/or experience. I meet people where they are.
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Humor
Laughter is an important part of my life. It augments my process and learning. The Muppets, Mel Brooks, Peter Sellers, and 3 Stooges are strong influences.
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Flexibility
People are different. Life happens. I adapt to given circumstances and have experience being a leader in messy situations.
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Community
I facilitate both joy and shared responsibility by valuing each person involved in creating art.
Hire me for…
A multi-hyphenate polymath - I’ve got a lot to offer. Check out my specialties below!
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I lead the room by loving the material, recognizing individual talent, and inspiring groups to get sh*t done.
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If you, the director, are the brain of the production, I am the brain stem. I excel at communicating, organizing, and staying on schedule.
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My training, empathy, and "spidey sense" make me an asset in the room. I facilitate between and advocate for artists, consent, and boundaries, in order to create and enhance physical storytelling.