Shawnda Urie

Shawnda Urie holds an M.A. in Theatre from Villanova University, where she focused on directing. She has taught acting, improv, and theatre history at institutions including the University of Rochester, SUNY Brockport, Finger Lakes Community College, Genesee Community College, and as a teaching artist at Geva Theatre Center and Delaware Theatre Company. During her four years with the Rochester City School District, she helped develop nationally integrated curriculum aligning arts with math and English standards for 1st and 2nd graders.

At Roberts Wesleyan University, Shawnda has directed and produced The Velveteen Rabbit, Anne of Green Gables, and the 24 Hour Play Festival. In partnership with Leah Stacy, she also co-directed productions such as The Screwtape Letters, Peter/Wendy, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Importance of Being Earnest, Pride and Prejudice, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Treasure Island, Charlie Brown’s Christmas, and The Crucible. Together, they curated the first two Carolyn Bowman Theatre Symposiums and are preparing for the third. A founding member of Geva Comedy Improv, Shawnda performed with the troupe for three seasons and has appeared in world premiere productions of At Swim Two Boys (DVC) and The Fighting Girl’s Guide to Politics (Rochester Fringe). Her directing credits also include Polaroid Stories (Bread & Water Theatre), All This and Moonlight (Out of Pocket Productions), and eight seasons of the Young Writers Showcase at Geva Theatre Center.