Our dedicated staff of teaching artists bring passion, thoughtfulness and years of experience in the arts and education to their roles in our organization. They are recognized professionals in their field, committed to developing long-term, nurturing relationships with our participants. In addition, to developing innovative lesson plans and projects that both engage and challenge our participants, our staff track our participants’ development through regular evaluations pushing them to think critically about their art practices and their communities.
Administration
Robyne Walker Murphy-->
Director of Out of School Programs
(718) 588- 8007 ext.205
Robyne Walker Murphy has been a teaching artist, school-based Site Coordinator for Dream Yard’s in-school partnership and A.C.T.I.O.N. Project Lead Artist. In summer 2008, she transitioned into the role of Program Director for Dream Yard’s Out of School Programs. Robyne holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with an emphasis in African-American Literature from Clark Atlanta University and a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Washington’s Professional Actors Training Program. Prior to working at Dream Yard, Robyne was a teaching artist at the Harlem School of the Arts. As an actor, Robyne has worked a numerous theaters around the country.
Evelyn Bojorquez-->
Associate Director of Out of School Programs
(718) 588- 8007 ext.206
Evelyn Bojorquez is the Associate Director for DreamYard's Out of School Programs. She received her B.A. in Community Studies and Film and Digital Media from the University of California Santa Cruz in 2005. While in college she worked as a Teachers Assistant and tutor in the Pajaro Valley School District for two years. She also held positions in various organizations as well as co-founding a student dance group that promotes Latin culture and history.
Cydney Gray-->
Programs Associate for Out of School Programs
(718) 588- 8007 ext.211
Cydney Gray is the Program Associate for OSP. She received her B.A. in visual and environmental studies from Harvard University in 2009. While in college she was an active participant in the Summer Urban Program working with children and youth in the Greater Boston area and worked as a freelance video and design artist for on-campus organizations.
A.C.T.I.O.N. Project
Ama Codjoe-->
A.C.T.I.O.N. Project Lead Teaching Artist and Coordinator
Ama Codjoe has roots in Memphis and Accra. She received her B.A. in English from Brown University and was a Presidential Fellow at Ohio State University where she received her M.F.A. in Dance Performance. She is a Cave Canem Fellow. With A.C.T.I.O.N., Ama poses tough questions, facilitates creative writing and critical thinking, and learns alongside participants. She values the work of social justice and arts education because she believes that activism is inherently creative: we must imagine a world different than the one before our eyes. She is committed to transformation and liberation in her work, art, and relationships.
Austin Greene-->
A.C.T.I.O.N. Project Teaching Artist
Austin Greene is an artist, educator and activist born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He is dedicated to assisting in the development of young activists by exploring various socio-political issues using the creative arts. He is an illustrator, painter and graphic designer, but believes all art can be used as tools of freedom. He is a member of The Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, a community organization focusing on self-empowerment for members of the African Diaspora. He has worked with The Institute Media Project, training young people in the art of documentary making, and has also partnered with Girls For Gender Equity to create the documentary "Hey Shorty". His art and activism have taken him to Paris, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Venezuela, Cuba, and he is currently planning a trip to Haiti to assist in the ongoing rebuilding efforts.
Kimberli Flores-->
A.C.T.I.O.N. Project Teaching Artist
Kimberli Flores has taught within various children's theater and dance programs within New York, Puerto Rico, Italy and Israel. For the last two years Kimberli has the pleasure of working with the vibrant youth of the Dreamyard A.C.T.I.O.N. Project. Additionally, Kimberli also perform's with the Traveling Lantern Theater Company, a children's theater troupe that brings heartfelt stories to Public libraries and public schools throughout New York City. Kimberli looks forward the great work that the A.C.T.I.O.N. participants will be creating in their efforts to make a change within the their communities, around the issue of Haiti and life post tragedy, and within themselves as future leaders and activists for social change! Pa'lante!
Bronx Acting Ensemble
Patty Dukes-->
Bronx Acting Ensemble Artistic Director
Patty Dukes is the Artistic Director of the Bronx Acting Ensemble (BAE) for Dreamyard. Producer and Host of The Circa '95 Show on www.circa95.com airing live every other Sunday 3-5pm. As a professional actress, emcee and writer. PattyDukes has performed in Danny Hoch's Till The Break of Dawn with The Culture Project and The NYC Hip-Hop Theater Festival. In Boogie Rican Blvd: The Musical written by Caridad "Bruja" De La Luz at The Puerto Rican Traveling Theater. Currently PattyDukes can be seen on HBO Latino in shows like "Habla Ya" and "RoadTrip". Bronx native and BRIO Award Winner PattyDukes will continue to perform, write and produce stories about the urban experience. www.pattydukes.com
Bronx Art Collective
Carla Repice-->
Bronx Arts Collective Artistic Director
Carla Repice is an artist and educator, and enjoys working collaboratively with youth and community members. She believes, through art, we can reconstruct our neighborhoods and minds. She has exhibited her work in New York, Chicago, California, England, Italy and Germany. Her piece Goatscape, is part of the permanent collection at The New York Historical Society, and her projects have been featured on NPR. She received her MFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL, and a BFA from the School of Visual Arts, NY. She is the recipient of an Anthony B. Rhodes fellowship to study abroad. Since 1995, she has attended numerous workshops with Rose Shakinovsky and Claire Gavronsky, in Italy, South Africa and the U.S. She has taught in the New York City Public Schools through DreamYard and Urban Arts Partnership, and for the A.C.T.I.O.N. Project. In addition, she has taught college level courses at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and was a visiting artist lecturer at NYU in the Department of Art and Public Policy. Her latest project, The Office of Blame Accountability, is being published in 2010 by Loud Mouth Press.
Bronx Poetry Project
Aracelis Girmay-->
Bronx Poetry Project Artistic Director
Aracelis Girmay teaches writing workshops with the Bronx Poetry Project & was a teaching artist with A.C.T.I.O.N.'s "Rebels" group. She has also worked with the DY Prep Slam Team (2007-2008) & has taught workshops with Urban Word. Girmay also teaches poetry at Queens College & in Drew University's low-residency MFA Program. Girmay writes poetry & essays. Her book of poems, Teeth, was awarded the GLCA New Writers Award & was nominated for a Connecticut Book Award. Girmay is a Cave Canem fellow & an Acentos board member. Originally from Santa Ana, California, Girmay has taught community writing workshops in both California & New York.
Ellen Hagen-->
Bronx Poetry Project Artistic Director
Ellen Hagan is a writer, performer, and educator. Her poetry and essays have appeared in literary journals, magazines, and anthologies. Ellen’s performance work has been showcased at the New York International Fringe and Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival, among others. She has received grants from The Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts, The Kentucky Foundation for Women, and held residencies at Hopscotch House and Louisiana ArtWorks. Ellen holds a B.F.A in Theater from The University of Kentucky and an M.F.A. in Fiction from The New School University in New York. A proud Kentucky writer, she is member of the Affrilachian Poets, Conjwomen, and co-founder of the girlstory collective. Crowned is her debut collection of poems.
