Applied  Theater  Summer  Intensive  –  Faculty  Biographies      

Jeffrey  Pufahl    With  a  professional  background  in  film  and  theatre  directing  and  producing,  Jeffrey  holds  an  MFA  in  Theater  Performance  (University  of  Cincinnati)  and  an  MFA  in  Theater  Directing  (University  of  Victoria).  His  work  at  the  University  of  Florida  is  focused  on  creating  inter-­‐campus  and  inter-­‐community  partnerships  to  develop  theatre-­‐based  programming  that  addresses  social  issues  and  community  health.  A  member  of  the  UF  Imagining  America  cohort,  Jeffrey  specializes  in  creating  site-­‐specific  theater  and  documentary  film.    His  research  focuses  on  innovatively  applying  theatre  and  video  to  health,  social,  and  educational  content  in  order  to  engage  audience  more  effectively.      Recent  projects  include  his  award  winning  production  of  Ashley's  Consent,  a  multi-­‐media,  site-­‐specific  applied  theatre  experience  educating  on  sexual  assault  and  consent,  and  Telling:  Gainesville,  an  original  verbatim  theatre  project  connecting  the  oral  histories  of  Gainesville  Veterans  with  community  for  the  purpose  of  facilitating  dialogue  and  understanding.  He  

has  also  developed  several  applied  theatre  workshops  for  teens;  topics  include  stress  and  coping  mechanisms.    Jeffrey  has  developed  numerous  videos  with  UF's  STEM  Translational  Communication  Center  using  drama  to  translate  research  findings  on  Patient/Caregiver  relationships.  He  has  also  collaborated  with  the  UF  Science  Library  on  a  series  of  innovative  arts-­‐based  health  messaging  videos  on  HIV/AIDS  awareness.    Currently  Jeffrey  is  developing  a  unique  theatre  program  for  adolescents  and  young  adults  with  mental  health  conditions  in  collaboration  with  Chicago’s  Second  City      

 Ann  Kinnebrew      Ann  is  Executive  Director  of  Ignite  Applied  Theatre  whose  mission  is  to  engage  community  through  theatre.    She  currently  resides  in  Gainesville,  Florida.    She  is  also  Director  of  Ignite  Playback  Theatre  and  Program  Director  for  the  Star  Centre  Theatre.    Ann  holds  an  MFA  in  Theatre  from  the  University  of  Central  Florida  with  a  special  concentration  in  Theatre  for  Young  Audiences  and  Applied  Theatre.    Ann  has  been  involved  in  educational  theatre  and  TYA  since  her  early  days  as  a  High  School  English/Drama  Teacher  where  she  became  aware  of  the  power  of  theatre  to  shape  young  lives  and  enhance  educational  concepts.  Through  her  graduate  studies,  she  discovered  the  many  ways  theatre  can  be  used  as  a  tool  for  community  connection  and  healing.    “Theatre  can  be  used  in  powerful  ways  to  address  community  health  though  telling  stories  of  struggle  both  physically  and  mentally.  Sharing  these  together  makes  for  strong  and  vibrant  community  life.    As  a  Playback  Theatre  director  and  actor,  I  have  used  Playback  and  other  applied  theatre  techniques  with  

several  marginalized  populations  including  the  homeless,  incarcerated  youth,  and  with  those  struggling  with  addiction.”  In  addition,  Ann  has  developed  workshops  that  address  homelessness,  immigrant  issues,  youth  identity,  body  image  and  spirituality,  as  well  as  other  community  concerns.