Born and raised in NYC, Colleen has been a performer, teaching artist/applied theatre facilitator and arts administrator for over a decade. She has a background in designing and leading theatre workshops for all ages, and in co-devising original work that centers the interests and voices of young people. Her interest in using theatre to support adult learning comes from her background in early childhood education, and what she sees as a pressing need for play-based learning and joy in education beyond the early childhood classroom.

Before joining the Steps US team in 2021, she had facilitated classes, performances and workshops for multiple venues including The New York City Department of Education, Fairfield University, The American Alliance for Theatre in Education (AATE), The Creative Arts Team (CAT) Junior Youth Theatre, The New York State Occupational Therapy Association (NYSOTA), Symphony Space, LaGuardia College and The University of Rwanda. . She holds an MA in Applied Theatre from the CUNY School of Professional Studies. She currently lives in Manhattan with her husband and two funny and brilliant kids. She was once voted “wittiest” in 8th Grade, and that might be her favorite accolade.