Hello Everyone! I'm so pleased to be the theatre teacher at Wootton HS. I look forward to meeting all of the students and community members that make up this family. I'm sure. together we will tell many amazing stories as well as make many memories. As excited and curious as I am to meet you, I'm sure you feel the same about me. So allow me to take a moment to introduce myself.
I live in Frederick with my wife Jenny, my two sons Charlie and Oliver, and two dogs Abbey and Millie. While I spend the majority of my time in theatre, when I'm not there I am usually reading, cooking, or doing an "ing" activity. These include hiking, biking, camping etc. I am a very project orientated person. Since we have been at home, I have started a new hobby of building guitars.
I have been in theatre since I was a little kid. I starting working in professional theatre and TV when I was in HS. I received my BA in theatre with a Directing focus and teaching certificate from Marymount Manhattan College. While there I worked as the Shop Foreman for 3 1/2 years. I also had the opportunity to work in professional Off Off Broadway up to Broadway shows and theaters all over the city. I have my MA from New York University in Educational Theatre for Colleges and Communities. I have my Ed.D from Frostburg State University in Educational leadership and curriculum writing.
I am very active in the arts education and theatre community in and around Maryland. Currently, I serve as the President of the Maryland Theatre Education Association. In this position I work to provide resources for theatre educators as well as advocate for arts education on behalf of students and communities. I am an arts integration specialist and I have taught for Towson University in their Arts Integration certificate program. In the past I have worked to create programs that help increase student's access to theatre. These include the Theatre In Our School (TIOS) program with the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, and I am a co-founder of the Hostel YOUTH! program at the Contemporary American Theatre Festival.
In the past I have been fortunate enough to receive several awards including; The Philip Merill Presidential Mentor award from University Of Maryland, The Golden Lance, Excellence in Inclusion, and two Golden Eagle Scout Mentor Pins.
Again, I'm excited to be work with the Wootton students and community. I encourage you to reach out to me with any questions or ideas you may have on how to continue building our community. Please contact me at julian_e_lazarus@mcpsmd.org
Best,
Dr. Julian Lazarus Ed.D