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Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. - William Butler Yeats

“Chris and Jess were able to break-down the barriers between the teachers, opening them to the possibilities of direct exchanges of information both personally and professionally relevant to their team building.  The exercises were a perfect antidote to clogged relationships and left the faculty members with both new insights into their own contributions to the team and a deeper appreciation of their colleague’s challenges, hopes and needs. 

I can without hesitation give Jess and Chris my highest recommendation for the effectiveness of their Team Building workshop.  The practical results have been teachers with a real commitment to working with each other in the service of the children at Discovery, along with some true breakthroughs of understanding as relevant to their co-workers.  From an Administrator’s perspective, I wish we could have Jess and Chris work with each of our Faculty teams on an annual basis to promote the types of harmonious collegial relationships I have come to expect from our Montessori faculty. Jess and Chris are true gems in this industry and I have a deep respect for their commitment to each of the individuals they choose to work with.”

~ Kim Bednareck, Co-Head of School, Discovery Montessori

“Chris has a gift as a director and it transcends the physical work that is a core aspect of his training... His work as an actor/creator and a devisor of work with his own company [Creatively Independent] has also given him a real understanding of how to work with actors in the process of creation and rehearsal.  He has a keen eye.  He listens.  He has a great sense of humor.  He is collaborative, but also knows his own point of view and is not afraid to speak his mind.”

~ Michael Fields, Producing Artistic Director,

Dell’Arte Company

“The feedback we’ve gotten from kids and parents is unbelievable.  It’s a wonderful program.  We’ve had kids every year who opt to come back.  It’s so different from anything else they get in school... [Creatively Independent] devised a strong, age specific teaching program incorporating vocal, movement and dramatic skills that show us how students can mentally obtain knowledge and also ‘wear’ is in their body and muscles.”

~ Marilyn Hoener, President,

The Ponte Vedra Public Education Foundation

“[Chris] knows how to take huge risks and land safely.  He is possessed of an innate sense of comic timing and a love of sharing the emotional truth with an audience.”

~ Linda White, former Director,

Greylock Theatre Project

   Williamstown Theatre Festival