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User Experience Research

I utilize a blend of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to uncover how audiences watch and interact with various materials. By transforming these insights into actionable strategies, I help creators enhance and tailor their audience's experiences. My passion lies in exploring innovative ways to engage diverse audiences, ensuring that each interaction is impactful and meaningful. Click on the links below to see examples of my research. 

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Professional Experience

Theater Audience Researcher

​Led a multi-year project to examine how audiences watched puppetry performances to uncover the strategies used by puppeteers to guide the audience's attention and emotional engagement. 

  • Developed pioneering methodology integrating quantitative data analysis with qualitative insights.

  • Planned and executed the project, securing funding and mastering eye-tracking data collection and analysis. 

  • Presented research results globally. 

Curatorial Advisory Committee Member

(Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival)

Collaboratively analyzed and discussed international performances to assess their suitability for the festival and their appeal to audiences.

  • Collaborated in the creation of an evaluation process.

  • Tailored evaluations to prioritize client needs. 

  • Enhanced the festival's reputation for excellence. 

Consultant for Latinidades

(Mudlark Theater & Northwestern University)

Mediated communication between Northwestern University and Mudlark Theater in the creation of a project to expand Mudlark's audience base to be more inclusive of the Latino/a/e/x community in Evanston.

  • Streamlined inter-organizational communication to ensure objective alignment of various stakeholders.

  • Developed culturally-relevant programming to appeal to the local Latino/a/e/x community.

  • Collaborated with teaching artists and artistic directors to ensure program met organizational objectives. 

Teaching-as-Research Instructor

(Searle Center for Advancing Learning & Teaching, Northwestern University)

​Developed and executed a research protocol to evaluate and enhance the sense of belonging for freshmen theater students. 

  • Generated research questions and synthesized relevant literature to inform the project. 

  • Located diverse materials and planned evidenced-based strategies to employ to enhance students' sense of belonging. 

  • Developed surveys and analyzed the data to assess the usefulness of inclusive strategies. 

  • Presented research results to university partners and beyond. 

Presentations & Publications

FORTHCOMING BOOK CHAPTERS

  • "Global Perspectives to Elevate Diversity in Puppetry." In Race, Gender and Disability in Puppetry and Material Performance, edited by Alissa Mello, Paulette Richards, and Laura Purcell-Gates. Routledge. Under contract.

  • "In Your Sight and In Your Mind: The Puppeteer as Cognitive Guide in KoryÅ« Nishikawa V & Tom Lee's Shank's Mare." In Making Meaning in Puppetry Performance, edited by Dassia N. Posner, Alissa Mello, and Claudia Orenstein. Routledge. Under contract. 

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PRESENTATIONS

2024

  • "Holding the Puppet's Hand: An Experimental Investigation of the Puppeteer as a Cognitive Guide to the Audience's Immersion in Fiction." Cognitive Futures: From 4E to 5E Cognition

2022

  • "Masters of Perception." CogSci Fest. Northwestern University

  • "Where you look versus what you see." How Objects Make Meaning on Stage. Ellen Van Volkenburg Puppetry Symposium

  • "In Your Sight and In Your Mind: The Puppeteer as Cognitive Guide in KoryÅ« Nishikawa V & Tom Lee's Shank's Mare." ASTR: Catastrophe

2021

Skills

Screen-based Gaze-Tracking

FACS Analysis Certified

R-coding for Data Visualization

Surveys & Interview Development

Excellent Written & Oral Communication

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