Raina Ames Assistant Professor Director of Theatre Education   Paul Creative Arts Center, Room M112 Phone: 603-862-3044 Fax: 603-862-0298 Email: raina.ames@unh.edu
Raina Ames is the Director of Theatre Education for the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of New Hampshire. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, a Master of Science in Education, gifted education emphasis, and a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Pedagogy. She taught high school theatre, speech and English for 8 years; prior to starting at UNH, Ames served as Director of Education at TheatreVirginia, a LORT-C theatre in Richmond. Raina is also an actor who has appeared in a variety of venues. She played Katy Maguire in the U.S. Premiere of GOODBYE TO THE HILL at Indianapolis Theatre On The Square. She also performed in the professional Theatre IV/Barksdale production of The Laramie Project. Some favorite directing projects include THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, WAIT UNTIL DARK, WORKING and MY FAIR LADY. Regionally, Raina directed a cast aged 6-18 in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM for The Palace Youth Theatre in Manchester. On campus directing credits include: the 2005 ArtsReach touring production of AND THEN THEY CAME FOR ME: REMEMBERING THE WORLD OF ANNE FRANK, The Anna Zornio Playwriting Competition winning production of THE NASTIEST DRINK IN THE WORLD, and THE X FACTOR, a night of one-acts by female playwrights of the twentieth century. In addition to acting and directing, Ames is also an author. Her first book, A High School Theatre Teacher’s Survival Guide, is available through Routledge Publishing. (revised 03/16/07)