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About the Author: Biographical Highlights |
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Biographical Highlights Printable version
Jonas Basom is an educator, artist, consultant, and author whose mission is to spread the magic of drama to children of all ages. He is the author and creator of The Drama Game File– a comprehensive theatre arts curriculum on CD-ROM that is used by teachers, schools, and universities across the country and internationally. For his teaching excellence, leadership, and innovation, Jonas was awarded the 2003 Bravo Award for Outstanding Arts Educator of Southern California.
Jonas received his BA in English and French from Amherst College, and his MA in Education with Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Pepperdine University. He has leadership training in arts education from the Music Center of Los Angeles and The California Arts Project (TCAP).
Jonas has a lifetime of training and experience as a performing artist, appearing in dozens of productions for stage, film, television, and radio. His talents include acting, pantomime, puppetry, tap dance, clowning, singing, improvisation, and voice-over work. At Seattle Children's Theater, Jonas appeared in The Former One-on-One Basketball Champion, co-starring with hall-of-fame center Bill Russell. As a party entertainer in LA, Jonas developed a unique combination of drama games and storytelling, and enthralled hundreds of children as "Kuzu the Klown."
From 1993-2000, Jonas created and managed the Elementary Drama Program at the Buckley School in LA. His curriculum included sequential drama instruction for every child in grades K-5, elective courses for middle school, and annual performances in grades 1-6. Jonas’ drama program helped Buckley win the 1999 Bravo Award for Outstanding Visual and Performing Arts School.
Since 2000, Jonas has been a traveling theatre teacher and coach for Los Angeles Unified School District's Arts Prototype Program. He trains elementary teachers in standards-based theatre arts instruction by teaching 12 model lessons, leading staff development, and coaching teachers individually.
As an adjunct professor at California State University LA, Jonas has developed a required course in theatre arts for elementary credential candidates. He has also taught courses in puppetry and literacy for the University of Phoenix.
Since 1993 Jonas has instructed 10,000 students in grades pre-K-12, trained 2,500 teachers, and directed more than 100 student productions integrating the arts across the curriculum.
Mr. Basom is president and founder of Drama Education Network, offering products, resources, and staff development services available online at www.DramaEd.net. He is a national consultant in arts and literacy and frequent presenter at education conferences. His dynamic workshops train teachers how to use drama in all school subjects to create an optimal learning environment that engages students and inspires them to explore, create, and learn.
Jonas lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Susan and their two children, Luke and Grace. He is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and enjoys basketball, French language and culture, and spending time with his children.
• BRAVO Award Winner (2003)
Outstanding Arts Educator of Southern California (Individual)
• Amherst College Teaching Excellence Grant (2001)
Rewarding innovative teaching in inner-city schools
• BRAVO Award Winner (1999)
Outstanding Arts School (Buckley School)
• Edward A. Shay Fellowship Grant (1999)
Funding academic research and curriculum development
Los Angeles Times Feature Article in Calendar Section
Hollywood Independent Feature Article on Cover Page
Buckley Community Feature Article on Drama Program
Drama Education Network (1999-present)
President and Founder
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Create and deliver staff development trainings for teachers, schools, and organizations
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Provide master classes and keynote addresses
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Advise and assist schools and universities in implementing theatre arts programs and arts courses for teachers
California Clients Include:
- Glendale USD
- Los Angeles USD
- Ojai USD
- Ventura USD
- Conejo Valley USD
National and International Clients Include:
- Jefferson County Public Schools–Louisville, KY
- Texas Educational Theatre Association–San Antonio, TX
- Florida Thespians Festival–Tampa, FL
- Texas Thespians–Corpus Christi, TX
- Portugal Teachers Group–Lisbon, Portugal
Los Angeles Unified School District (2000-present)
Traveling K-6 Theatre Teacher and Coach
- Plan and lead staff development for elementary schools
- Advise schools in long-term planning for arts programs
- Collaborate with principals and coaches for math and literacy to integrate drama techniques and train teachers
- Provide individual coaching in theatre arts for teachers
Media Workshops Foundation, based at UCLA (1997-2000)
Educational Consultant
- Wrote a comprehensive program review of summer media seminars for 400 high school and college students
- Created and implemented innovations in educational content, program structure, and daily operations
- Compiled and wrote the program director's manual, since used by all executive staff to ensure program success
Los Angeles Unified School District (2000-present)
Traveling K-6 Theatre Teacher and Coach
- Write and teach 12 standards-based model theatre lessons
- Teach 5 model elementary theatre arts lessons a day for 12-week rotations, 7 total schools each year
- Train elementary teachers to re-teach the model lessons
- Collaborate with teachers to integrate drama strategies and activities into literacy, math, science, the arts, and P.E.
- Plan and lead staff development for elementary schools
- Direct student productions for peer and parent audiences
- Collaborate with arts teachers: music, dance, visual arts
California State University Los Angeles (2004-present)
Adjunct Professor of Theatre
- Design and teach TA400: Drama for the Elementary Classroom (required for elementary credential candidates)
- Assist in long-term planning for program growth
Drama Teacher
- Built a comprehensive sequential curriculum of K-6 theatre arts instruction that included all students every year
- Directed 12 theatre productions each year
- Integrated projects and performances with language arts, social studies, music, visual arts, and dance
- Developed curriculum units and productions in drama games, clowning, puppetry, pantomime, playwriting, mask theatre, radio drama, public speaking, and improvisation
- Directed middle school production of The Hobbit
- Led middle school classes in improv and public speaking
- Taught afterschool classes in improv, tap, and puppetry
- Assisted high school theatre productions
- Offered master classes for high school students
Additional Teaching
- Assistant Teacher–math, language arts (grades 2-3)
- French–grades 4-5 (1 year plus summer school)
- Chess Club–4 years, taught over 80 students (grades 1-5)
Media Workshops Foundation, based at UCLA (1997-2000)
Program Director
- Coordinated 400 high school and college students from around the country in summer media studies seminars
- Interviewed and hired staff to lead four one-week sessions
- Managed housing, meals, busing, and facilities for students
- Implemented program innovations such as a student talent show, an industry "pitch," and focus group discussions
- Booked field trips and speakers including Annette Bening, Leonard Maltin, and Loni Anderson
- Directed daily operations including student supervision, field trips, staff meetings, speakers, and activities
- Advised students in career and college choices
Additional Teaching Experience
Featured Teaching Artist
College, University, and Adult
- Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA)–keynote presenter, workshop leader for Summer K-12 Conference
- University of Phoenix–taught extension courses in puppetry, arts, and literacy for classroom teachers
- The California Arts Project (TCAP)–led standards-based theatre arts workshops for classroom teachers
- L.A. Times Literacy Festival–led workshops for teachers
High School and Middle School
- Texas Thespians Festival–improvisation workshops for high school students from all over the state
- Florida State Thespians–improvisation workshops for high school students from all over the state
- Roosevelt High School in Seattle–acting workshops
Elementary and Preschool
- Building Educational Success Through the Arts (BEST)–taught literacy through drama to preschool teachers
- Seattle Children's Theatre–taught "Theatre Arts Splash" intro course for children ages 5-7
- The Hollywood Bowl–taught summer theatre workshops for large groups of children ages 4-15 and parents
Additional Teaching Experience
Tutor or Private Coach
- Acting, tap dance, public speaking, French, teaching drama
- Worked privately with students of all ages and adults
Teaching Totals (as of 2006)
- Taught 10,000 students in K-12 public and private schools
- Trained 2,500 current and future teachers, PreK-12
- Directed 100 student productions integrating drama with language arts, history, science, math, the arts, and P.E.
Master classes, workshops, and keynote addresses for teachers at local, regional, statewide, and national conferences
Theatre, Drama, and Arts Education
- Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA)
Austin–2006, Dallas–2005 - Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC)
Orlando–2006, North Carolina–2005 - Building Educational Success Through the Arts (BEST)
Los Angeles–2006 - American Alliance for Theatre and Education (AATE)
Chicago–2005, Salt Lake City–2004, San Diego–2001 - Educational Theatre Association (EdTA)
Middle School Teachers Forum, Hollywood–2005 - Kentucky Alliance for Arts Education (KAAE)
Louisville–2005 - Christians in Theatre Arts (CITA)
South Carolina–2005 - Florida State Thespians
Tampa–2005 - Texas Thespians
Corpus Christi–2005 - Florida Association for Theatre Education (FATE)
Clearwater Beach–2004 - California Educational Theatre Association (CETA)
San Jose–2004, Los Angeles–2003
Literacy, Language Arts, and Other School Subjects
- California Association for Teachers of English (CATE)
Anaheim, CA–2006 - Kentucky Teaching and Learning Conference (KTLC)
Louisville–2006 - California Kindergarten Conference
Burbank, CA–2005, 2004, 2003 - California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE)
Los Angeles–2005, San Jose–2004 - National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Anaheim–2001
Other Conferences and Educational Events
- California Gifted Conference
Los Angeles–2005 - California Association for Independent Schools (CAIS)
Los Angeles–2000
- American Alliance for Theatre and Education (AATE)
- California Educational Theatre Association (CETA)
- California Alliance for Arts Education (CAAE)
Degrees and Credentials
- M/A in Education, Pepperdine University, 2000
- CA Professional Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Single Subject (English) Supplemental Authorization, Pepperdine University, 2000
- B/A in English/French, Amherst College, 1993
Arts Education Training
- The California Arts Project (TCAP): Invitational Institute for Arts Education Leadership, San Diego State, 2002
- The Music Center of L.A.: Institute for Educators (Advanced Level), Los Angeles, 2003
- Arts Education Branch of LAUSD: Dozens of professional development workshops and trainings, 2000-present
- Sessions at more than 30 state and national arts conferences
Performing Arts Training
- Rainbow’s Clown College: Makeup, costume, character, routines, history, party entertainment
- The Spolin Institute: Viola Spolin improvisation techniques, games, and performing (2 years)
- Amherst College: Courses in acting, playwriting, modern plays, jazz dance, and modern dance; performed in one play and seven vaudeville performances with song, dance, and comedy sketches
- Roosevelt High School: Drama courses (four years), stage crew, performed in 4 musicals and 12 plays, directed 2 plays (designed and constructed a set), school mascot
- Seattle Children’s Theater: The Young Actor Training Program (3 summers), Summer Stage, Poncho Players (3x); training included acting, singing, dancing, and performing
- Performing skills: Acting (stage and screen techniques), clowning, mime, puppetry, tap dancing, improvisation, stage combat, mask theater, public speaking, voice acting (radio, animation)
- Physical training: dance (tap, modern, jazz, ballet), clowning, Tae Kwon Do (black belt), basketball, long-distance bicycling, yoga, hiking
Traveling Troupe of Theatre Teachers (2003-present)
Writer, Actor, and Performer
- Perform in assemblies at Los Angeles elementary schools
- Helped develop, write, rehearse, and perform three shows:
A Story A Story-based on 3rd grade literature (Anansi)
Under the Stars-based on 5th grade science curriculum
The Golden Secret-an original Gold Rush era melodrama - Lead standards-based theatre vocabulary analysis and review before and after each performance
Theatricks: Self-owned Entertainment Company (1995-1998)
Owner and Performer
- Hired for birthdays, stores, libraries, and special events
- Performed as Kuzu the Klown or the "Educational Entertainer" (drama games, storytelling, and magic)
Professional Acting: Representative Roles (1985-1992)
Actor and Performer
- Seattle Children's Theater: Performed with NBA superstar Bill Russel in the two-man play, The Former One-On-One Basketball Champion (Irving "Kid" Katz), 55 shows
- A Contemporary Theater: Breaking the Silence (Sasha), 24 performances
- Seattle Repertory Theater: Landscape of the Body (Donny), Tony Award-winning theater, 20 performances
- Northwest Shakespeare Company: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck), 15 performances
- Kaye Smith Productions: A major role in an educational film for teens shown in high schools nationwide
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The Drama Game File Second Edition CD-ROM |
Testimonials: |
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"Jonas creates magic with children of all ages through his humor, passion, and improvisational abilities. He is a master at bringing forth a child's true creative potential." –Adrienne Parsons |
| Testimonials: Celebrity Parents |
"His charm, wit and enthusiasm make him well loved by both students and parents. His rapport with the students is a joy to see, and his talent inspires them." –Loni Anderson "He has a youthful enthusiasm that's infectious, and kids love him. He makes them want to participate and that's the key." –Leonard Maltin "He has a passionate belief in what he is doing. The children have been excited after his classes." –David Hasselhoff |
| Testimonials: Parents |
"He is a superb teacher with a true gift for imparting joy and passion to his students. Great teachers are rare, and he is definitely one of the few." –Wendy Waldman "He totally inspired my two children to express themselves freely and openly. His non-critical, supportive environment made my children feel comfortable, secure, and important." –Harriet Zucker "I find Mr. Basom's techniques and educational strategies filled with an appreciation for the development and fulfillment of the child." –Ken Topolsky "He works wonders with shy children. He really knows how to make them feel comfortable. –Sandra Dunphy |
| Testimonials: Students |
"He's the best guy." –Cory, Kindergarten "Mr. Basom is the best drama teacher in the whole universe!" –Dakota, 2nd grade "I am not shy anymore ." –Albert, 3rd grade "I enjoyed his classes so much that I would stay after school for an extra hour every Wednesday so that I could have the privilege of learning a little more from this fabulous teacher. His classes meant more to me than almost anything else in my life so far." –Jessica, 8th grade "Mr. Basom taught me skills in drama that will be invaluable to me no matter what job I have ." –Sebastian, 12th grade |
| Testimonials: Teachers |
"He is an inspiration! His enthusiasm and knowledge of the subject matter he teaches is incredible! He has a great talent for getting all students to participate and have fun! He has given me countless ideas for integrating drama into content areas. Totally worthwhile experience." –Lynn Akers, 4th grade "He is a fantastic drama teacher for our students as well as for us (the teachers). He has great control techniques any teacher would value. During our drama lessons with Mr. Basom an observer would never be able to tell the academic level of our students because all are involved in a superior learning situation." –Edie Lynn, 3rd grade "Imagination and creativity were awakened during the time Mr. Basom was in the classroom. His class gave my students joy. He has struck a chord that transcends language." --Sharon Martin, 2nd grade "I saw kids make more progress with oral English expression in five drama lessons with Mr. Basom than I saw in two months of ESL instruction." –David Hessel, 1st grade |
Copyright © 2006 Drama Education Network. All rights reserved.