Niae Knight, Theatre Artist
Niae has acted in many roles Off-Broadway and in independent films. Favorites include Mrs. Martin in “The Bald Soprano,” Sunny Jacobs in “The Exonerated” and Sheila Birling in “The Inspector Calls” (regional). Niae wrote and choreographed several dance theater pieces, which she performed at various NYC venues. Originally from Oregon, Niae received her BA in Theatre Arts from Southern Oregon University. Additional theater studies at UMASS Amherst and Amherst College. After moving to NYC, Niae studied with Charles Tuthill and Earle Gister at The Actor’s Center. In her role as teacher, Niae is passionate about providing opportunities for students to devise drama that is relevant to their lives, reflects their personal and family cultures, and allows them tell their own stories. As a teaching artist, she has created and taught theater games classes for 4-6 year old children at PS 133 in Brooklyn. When not playing with her two daughters, Niae enjoys writing poetry and short stories, and can be found hiking in the Catskills or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.
TATIP Work:
Niae has been thrilled to be a part of Community-Word Project’s TATIP program. She had the pleasure of interacting with Third Graders at PS 84 in Brooklyn with Teaching Artists Felipe Galindo (visual arts) and Phyllis Capello (writing). Having the opportunity to observe these wonderful teaching artists has been extremely illuminating, and incredibly helpful for Niae to gain experience in an in-school classroom residency. The compassionate leadership of Patti Chilsen, Karla Robinson, T. Scott Lilly and Heidi Miller has been inspiring and wise, imparting very constructive exercises and tools that give a solid groundwork in social justice pedagogy.
Most memorable TATIP moment:
“It is so hard to choose! All of the seminars and workshops have been thought provoking, innovative and well thought out. In particular, the “Devising Original Theatre” workshop with Marcus Johnson of Opening Act really turned the light bulb on for me about unconscious bias in the classroom. Super meaningful to learn how to avoid cultural stereotypes, in order to respect and honor our students and their individuality.”
Find out more about Niae here:
Check out Niae’s Lesson Plan she created with her partner James Bycinthe.
Interested in TATIP? Find out more about our 2017-18 Program!
See more of our 2016-17 Graduates in the 2017 TATIP Anthology!
