ABOUT
Darcy's Story
Growing up acting professionally in Chicago, it was empowering to see firsthand what an impact storytelling could have on young audiences. By Darcy's undergraduate years at Northwestern University, she was teaching creative drama at local schools and devising plays at a local youth theater, directly applying her education while studying with storytelling legends like Rives Collins and David Catlin.
A pivotal point in this education was directing the first campus production devised for young audiences with autism and other developmental differences. Blown away by the response from children and families in attendance, she began to focus on providing access to the arts for people who are often excluded.
Children's Hospitals
Volunteering at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago helped Darcy conceptualize how her approach to drama - devising stories with young people - could provide agency and a sense of community to hospitalized children. This became her focus in graduate school at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, where she conducted research on children's experience of choice in pediatric wards. Back in the US, she received funding to continue this research at Lurie Children's while she completed her MA in Applied Drama.
Montessori
It would be impossible to study the role of choice in children's lives and education without encountering the work of Dr. Maria Montessori. Intrigued by the Montessori method, which centers around children's independence in a prepared environment, Darcy began working with toddlers through teenagers at Near North Montessori School in Chicago, where she gained extensive experience with Montessori practices. She also initiated a drama program that rapidly became an integral part of the school culture. Following Montessori principles, Darcy reaches the youngest students through creative drama games and stories, while guiding older students to improvise and create original performances together.
Innovation
As the pandemic set in, Darcy seized the opportunity to experiment alongside her students, quickly establishing innovative ways to continue creating together through technology. Her expertise in script-writing and video editing meant the beloved class plays could continue in a new form. Most significantly, her focus on arts integration led to a co-curricular model for upper elementary levels: collaborative, student-led projects that integrate different art forms are guided by adults with expertise in art, drama, music, and technology.
In summer 2024, Darcy presented about her work cultivating community in schools at the national conference for the American Alliance for Theater and Education.
All the Stories Ahead
Darcy now lives in Charlotte, NC with her family and works with children of all ages at Omni Montessori School. There she teaches drama, music, and dance; serves as librarian and after-school program coordinator; and facilitates all aspects of the annual all-school performance at the Halton Theater.
Contact Darcy to get in touch about establishing an integrated arts curriculum or drama residency at your school or organization, or about opportunities for research or inclusive performances.
