Directing Resume

Carrie Sayer

Musical Theater Specialist: Acting/Singing Coach

2002 – present: Private lessons

  • Basic, intermediate and advanced techniques in acting and singing
    Increase vocal awareness, range; improve projection, intonation, accents, articulation
  • Direct monologue and scene study
  • Audition preparation for college-bound seniors, resulting in my students achieving admission into desired arts programs at universities
  • Repertoire-building – vocal and acting performance pieces
  • Character development, scene analysis, motivated movement
  • Physical exercises – increase body awareness, coordination, full-body as instrument
  • Application of technique to performance preparation

Director

Winter 2021: Open Book Theatre Company, Trenton, Michigan

  • Guest of Honor, by Jennifer Ward
  • Weekend Wonders
  • 48-hour play challenge via Zoom
  • Director

Assistant Director

January 2018 – present: The Dio, Pinckney, Michigan

  • It’s Only Murder
  • Home for the Holidays
  • A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
  • Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical
  • The Wild Party (Lippa)
  • Murder at the Howard Johnson’s

Director

Fall 2017: Theatre NOVA, Ann Arbor, Michigan

  • The After-Party, by Kim Carney
  • Michigan Playwrights’ Festival
  • Director

Director

Spring 2017: Theatre NOVA, Ann Arbor, Michigan

  • The Princess at Midnight, by Linda Ramsay-Detherage
  • Michigan Playwrights’ Festival
  • Director

Director

Winter 2017: Lumen Christi High School, Jackson, Michigan

  • Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
  • Artistic director

Director

Fall 2016: Lumen Christi High School, Jackson, Michigan

  • The Miracle Worker
  • Artistic director

Director

Fall 2016: Theatre NOVA, Ann Arbor, Michigan

  • Animal Shaped Pancakes (aka The Spatula Play), by Sean Paraventi
  • Michigan Playwrights’ Festival
  • Director

Director

Summer 2016: Carrie Jay Studio, Dexter, Michigan

  • The Only Thing, original play
  • Also co-producer with writer Peter Sapienza
  • Simultaneously prepared and performed role of Sophia

Director

Spring 2016: Lumen Christi High School, Jackson, Michigan

  • You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
  • Artistic director

Co-Director

Spring 2016: Mind The Gap Productions, Northville, Michigan

  • British Heroes of Comedy
  • Co-director
  • Simultaneously prepared and performed multiple roles

Director

Fall 2015: Theatre NOVA, Ann Arbor, Michigan

  • Rinse Cycle
  • Artistic director

Director

Fall 2015: Lumen Christi High School, Jackson, Michigan

  • Our Town
  • Artistic director

Director

Spring 2015: Lumen Christi High School, Jackson, Michigan

  • Brigadoon
  • Artistic director

Co-Director

Spring 2015: Mind The Gap Productions, Saline, Michigan

  • British Heroes of Comedy
  • Co-director
  • Simultaneously prepared and performed multiple roles

Drama Director, Chelsea High School

Aug. 2012 – May 2014

  • Fall Musical
  • Winter One Act for MIFA High School Theatre Festival
  • Spring Play
  • Workshops

Director

Spring 2014: Chelsea High School, Chelsea, Michigan

  • Steel Magnolias
  • Artistic director and producer

Director

Winter 2014: Lumen Christi High School, Jackson, Michigan

  • The Music Man
  • Artistic director

Director

Winter 2014: Chelsea High School, Chelsea, Michigan

  • Red Dress Diaries
  • One act for MIFA High School Theatre Festival
  • Artistic director and producer

Director

Winter 2013: Performance Network Theatre, Ann Arbor, Michigan

  • Old Bones
  • Fireside Festival of New Plays
  • Director

Director

Fall 2013: Chelsea High School, Chelsea, Michigan

  • Guys & Dolls
  • Artistic and vocal director; producer

Director

Summer 2013: Dexter Community Players, Dexter, Michigan

  • big, the musical
  • Artistic and vocal director

Director

Spring 2013: Chelsea High School, Chelsea, Michigan

  • Black Comedy
  • Artistic director and co-producer

Director

Winter 2013: Fourth Wall, Jackson, Michigan

  • Red Dress Diaries
  • Staged reading of new play
  • Artistic director and co-producer
  • Simultaneously prepared and performed multiple roles

Director

Winter 2013: Lumen Christi High School, Jackson, Michigan

  • Godspell
  • Artistic director

Director

Winter 2013: Chelsea High School, Chelsea, Michigan

  • BEES
  • One act for MIFA High School Theatre Festival
  • Artistic director and co-producer

Director

Fall 2012: Chelsea High School, Chelsea, Michigan

  • How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
  • Artistic and vocal director; co-producer

Director

Summer 2012: Chelsea Area Players, Chelsea, Michigan

  • CAPtivating Rhythms: Celebrating 40 Years
  • Artistic and vocal director; music director

Director

Spring 2012: Carrie Jay Studio, Dexter, Michigan

  • Shifting Gears, original musical
  • Also co-producer with writer/composer Lori McNeal Reece
  • Simultaneously prepared and performed role of Sarah

Assistant Director

Winter 2011: The Encore Musical Theatre Company, Dexter, Michigan

  • It’s A Wonderful Life
  • Assisted Director Barbara F. Cullen
  • Fulfilled position of Mary rehearsal stand-in as well

Assistant Director

Summer 2011: The Encore Musical Theatre Company, Dexter, Michigan

  • The Music Man Cabaret
  • Assisted Director John Sartor
  • Simultaneously prepared and performed role of Mrs. Paroo
  • Simultaneously prepared and performed solo number

Assistant Director

Spring 2011: The Encore Musical Theatre Company, Dexter, Michigan

  • The Last Five Years
  • Assisted Director Dan Cooney
  • Also led some rehearsals, including first tech.

Director

Winter 2011: Saline Area Players, Saline, Michigan

  • The Sound of Music
  • Fulfilled all aspects of Artistic Direction, from stage and music rehearsal scheduling, production meetings, and casting, through 8-week rehearsal process, tech. and performance
  • The Ellen Ewing Center for the Performing Arts, featuring an 1100-seat auditorium, full fly tower, dressing rooms, scene shop and full amenities

Assistant Director

Fall 2010: The Encore Musical Theatre Company, Dexter, Michigan

  • Damn Yankees!
  • Assisted Directors Barbara F. Cullen and Dan Cooney
  • Simultaneously prepared and performed role of Doris
  • Fulfilled position of Lola rehearsal stand-in as well

Director

Spring 2002: BoarsHead Professional Theater, Lansing, Michigan

  • You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown! (revival)
  • AEA Intern Dark Night full production
  • Simultaneously prepared and performed role of Lucy
  • Fulfilled role of producer as well

Director

Spring 2002: BoarsHead Professional Theater, Lansing, Michigan

  • A Crazy Night at the Jacobsons’
  • Youth Playwright Series full production

Vocal Director

Winters 2012, 2008 and 2006: Wild Swan Theater, Ann Arbor, Michigan

  • A Christmas Carol
  • Led physical, vocal warm-ups
  • Assisted cast in preparation of group and solo vocal numbers
  • Directed application of vocal techniques in style of music, to maximize quality of vocal performances
  • Explored emotional intention and supported cast with acting choices for all numbers, resulting in confident and accomplished performances
  • Encouraged active listening while singing, resulting in bold and exquisite harmonies among cast members and musicians
  • Worked side-by-side with director to help cast achieve full intention of each musical scene and discover character nuances, by expressing intention vocally and physically

Assistant Director

Spring 1990: Acrosstown Repertory Theater, Gainesville, Florida

  • Our Town
  • Assisted Director Arupa Freeman
  • Led physical, vocal warm-ups
  • Directed and staged songs and select scenes
  • Fulfilled backstage responsibilities during run of show: props, costume support
  • Simultaneously prepared and performed ensemble role

Musical Theater Instructor

Sept. 2004 – Oct. 2005: American Dance Academy; Commerce Township and South Lyon, MI

  • Theater/drama/movement games
  • Physical exercises – increase body awareness and coordination
  • Vocal exercises – basic and advanced projection, range, and singing techniques
  • Improvisation – “yes, and!”, supporting fellow students, freeing inhibitions
  • Direct group and individual performance pieces
  • Direct final project – performance pieces, including Sound of Music medley; application of learned techniques

Musical Theater Instructor

Sept. 2004 – Oct. 2005: Canton Premiere Dance, Canton, MI

  • Theater/drama/movement games
  • Physical exercises – increase body awareness and coordination
  • Vocal exercises – basic and advanced projection, range, and singing techniques
  • Improvisation – “yes, and!”, supporting fellow students, freeing inhibitions
  • Direct final project – performance pieces, including full production of musical Coming to America; application of learned techniques

Acting Teacher

Sept. 2002 – Dec. 2002: Ann Arbor Community Education and Recreation Dept., Ann Arbor, MI

  • Introduction to Theater
  • Theater/drama/movement games
  • Storytelling – both existing and classroom-created stories
  • Physical exercises – increase body awareness and coordination
  • Improvisation – animals, machines, to engender cooperation and trust, teamwork
  • Singing, percussive instruments – develop rhythm, vocal awareness, interactive skills

Acting Teacher

Sept. 2001 – June 2002: Lansing Area Magnet/Arts Elementary and Middle Schools; Foster Community Center, After-School Program; via BoarsHead Professional Theatre, Lansing, MI

  • Grades K-6
  • Theater/drama/movement games – stimulate playfulness, imagination, attention
  • Storytelling – acting out fairy tales, books & nursery rhymes; creating new stories
  • Physical exercises – increase body awareness and coordination
  • Improvisation – animals, machines, to engender cooperation and trust, teamwork
  • Singing, percussive instruments – develop rhythm, vocal awareness, interactive skills
  • Showcase performance – celebrate achievements, demonstrate skills learned

Special Skills and Attributes

Singing, vocal coaching & direction, athletics, teaching, some piano, hair cutting/styling, make-up, quick study with accents, specialty Italian grandmother.

Education

BoarsHead Professional Theater, Lansing, Michigan
Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) Internship Program, 2001-02 Season
Master of Social Work, Michigan State University
4.0 GPA; Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Chapter 041; Phi Alpha Honor Society, Beta Chapter
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Theater Minor, Michigan State University
Honors College Member; Member of Social Science Residence Program.

Additional Training

Playwright/Actor/Director Lab – Purple Rose Theatre Co., Chelsea, MI, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2001, 2000, 1999. Jeff Daniels, Guy Sanville, Suzi Regan, Michelle Mountain.

Private Voice Training – Monte Long, Jackson, MI. John Wade, MSU.
Master Acting Seminars – John Peakes, Bill Roudebush, 2001-02.
Musical Theater Dance Class – Ann Arbor Dance Classics, 2000.
Period Movement Workshop – Nira Pullin, WSU Professor, 2000.
Voice-Over Seminar – Pamela Lewis, “Talking Funny for Money,” 2002.