Julie Garner

About Julie Garner

I strive to educate and entertain. As a performer, I seek opportunities to spark positive…

Experience

1. Experience Developer, Theater Specialist

   Smithsonian Institution

   Mar 2015 — Present · National Museum of American History, DC, US

   Experience Development: • I research, design, devise, improvise, perform, and evaluate interactive theater programs, as well as complementary video resources. They include interactive artifact props, history of women’s independence movements, civic engagement, modern parallels, and inspiration to build a shared future. • Other projects have included development of a graphic novel series, developing and hosting engaging donor events, managing National History Day performance category showcase, and assistance on many other projects led by colleagues. I am currently working on building the infrastructure and training resources for a team of interactive engagement specialists to co-develop and perform/facilitate multiple interactive experiences, including educational games, religion themed programming, and theater programming related to the pursuit of Life, Liberty, and Happiness. Workshop Development and Delivery:• I share my skill set and expertise with colleagues and external groups via custom training workshops, which have included: Creative Collaboration, Team Building, Improv Techniques for Challenging Conversations, On Camera Interview Training, Facilitation Techniques for Engaging Participants with Special Needs, Engagement Strategies for Docents, Facilitation Strategies for Building Inventive Identity, and How to Develop a Museum Theater Program.Exhibit Development: • I served as project director and audience engagement specialist for an onsite video installment Pause and Replay, which was designed to engage visitors in conversation with each other about their own memories of early video games. • I am currently on the core exhibit team of the Center For Understanding Religion in American History, responsible for exhibit development, and oversight of interactive program planning.

Education

• Studio Theatre Acting Conservatory

  Completed

  2005 — 2007

• University of Maryland

  B.A. Theatre and English Education

  1995 — 1999