Theater

Biographical Statement-Megan Ruth Baxter

Megan Ruth Baxter began acting at the age of nine after writing her first play. Her early work was with a variety of theater companies in Canada where she developed her skills in acting, writing, publishing, performance poetry, and was even mentored as a director. She also participated in film, video and educational projects. Megan’s play “Closed,” a political satire, toured British Columbia while she was attending Creative Writing School at David Thompson University Center in Nelson, British Columbia. This production helped earn the teenaged Megan a grant to produce a festival of the arts, which attracted an audience of three thousand people. Megan continued her work and education in a variety of roles, including youth director of a nationally recognized multi-media event produced by Sara Diamond.

From the age of twenty through twenty-two, Megan was a student of the Meisner Acting Technique attending an intensive program with mentor June Whitaker who studied with Sanford Meisner. At the university level, Megan studied creative writing as well as media communications, while performing as voice talent on the radio for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation with award winning writer Paulette Jiles, an early writing mentor.

While continuing to develop her craft as a writer, Megan became fascinated with the healing arts. In 1990 this led her to work with an indigenous community in Canada using theatre and comedy as a tool for transformation. Her vision for healing through the theatrical arts led her to work with “Medicine of the Heart Productions.” She performed in these cultural programs in Italy, New Zealand and the United States where Megan now lives.

Megan developed acting and drama programs for children at a local community center and a private school in Kennesaw, Georgia. This work included writing and directing plays for a variety of audiences. In 2000, she created the company Clarity Springs Inc. Her writing mentor during this phase has been author John Lee. Megan’s theatrical exploration of personal and cultural experiences of 9/11 culminated in a performance and installation called “Seasons of my Grief.” This has been presented at several locations including ‘The Bridge Show,’ a large art exhibit in Atlanta, Georgia which honored the one year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

Most recently, Megan launched an Intergenerational Theatre Program called “EcoSpirit Theatre.” She was invited to work with youth at an elders gathering in Vermont where the art of storytelling was presented as a play to a global audience. This program also incorporates a multi-media holistic approach to acting education. She offers classes at the Roberts School in Acworth, Georgia where she lives with her daughter. Megan’s core work, commitment and passion remains in writing, film and theatre as a playwright.

ECO SPIRIT THEATRE™ PROGRAM with Megan Ruth Baxter

Little ones – 5 – 10
Middle Youth - 11 and up
Youth: 14 and up
Adults: Everyone else!

(Some flexibility with ages based on individual)

This class will have a strong emphasis on confidence building and self development in relation to other people and the environment. Students will have an opportunity to realize and expand the gift of their imagination, the importance of maintaining concentration and of naming and understanding their emotional life. This inner tool-box is discovered through a variety of exercises including improvisation.
Students will develop a variety of skills including interpretation of written material for presentation to an audience. There will be some on camera opportunities and performance oriented play. Students whose interest is off camera or off stage are also encouraged to participate in this course. Performance is not required, only inspired! Everyone succeeds through their individual strengths. There will be practice sessions on camera for at least one class within each session and small live presentations culminating in a larger multi-media performance project at the end of the year.

Megan Ruth Baxter is a woman with a passion for educating people. She is trained in Meisner Method acting and attended Creative Writing school at University Center for the Arts in Canada. Megan is a writer, actor and Director who also has extensive knowledge in healing arts as a yoga teacher and holistic consultant. She integrates positive thoughts, words and actions into her innovative programs. She has produced and facilitated Theatre and multi-media events in Canada, the United States and Europe. She has offered classes to all ages locally through the Kennesaw Community Center, Kennesaw State University and other schools and recreation centers in the Atlanta area. Megan is currently completing a full length play.

You can reach Clarity Springs at 770-596-3805 or e-mail Megan Ruth Baxter at mbaxter@claritysprings.com