SHAVONNE COLEMAN

She/They
Acting Teacher

Shavonne Coleman (she/her) is a teaching/performing artist, writer, and educator from Detroit. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Grand Valley State University (07’) and a Master of Fine Arts from Eastern Michigan University for Applied Drama/Theatre for the Young (17’) During her time at Eastern she also had the amazing opportunity to travel to S. Korea to direct a Youth Theatre performance at the Zoom Theatre in Seoul. In recent years, Ms. Coleman was the Assistant Director of Acting at Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, Visiting Faculty in the Theatre and Dance department at Grand Valley State University, was awarded the 2018 Emerging Leader in Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) Fellowship and remains part of TYA’s Equity Diversity Inclusion task-force. One of her greatest experiences in 2018 (and the most fun) was playing Batty Ruth in GRCT’s production of Akeelah and the Bee!

Shavonne is currently the Theatre for Dialogue Specialist at the University of Texas at Austin where she is also Lecturer in Theatre and Dance. Shavonne was awarded a 2019/2020 Undergraduate Teaching Grant for her work with the Theatre for Dialogue course & ensemble.  “I’m excited to work with GRCT because of the seamless way they weave together exceptional artistry and fun!”

What inspires you?
How the arts innately brings folks together as well as the power of intentionally which allows theatre as a catalyst for social change.

Who is your favorite fictional character?
Garnet from Steven Universe

What was your favorite after school snack growing up?
Whatever I could grab on the way to rehearsal of course!