Faculty Profile: Paula D. Barrett

Biography

I can't remember a time when I didn't love the theatre, acting, reading poetry or anything that celebrates words and communication and the human spirit.  My love for the stage started growing with my first dance recital at age 6 held at the Warner Theatre here in Erie, PA, my hometown.  After earning a theatre degree I moved to NYC to pursue a professional theatre career.  Sure the challenge was enormous, the obstacles almost insurmountable, and the competition formidable but I was pursuing a passion and doing what I loved to do.

If you live long enough your life takes many routes with detours and u-turns and sure enough, many years after that recital and after many years in the professional theatre world, I am back in Erie sharing my experience and love for theatre with Gannon students.  The message I offer and the example I try to set every day is this:  Find your passion, do your best, and try to remember your lines!

Courses Taught

• THEA 140    Fundamentals of Acting
• THEA 111    Introduction to Theatre
• THEA 221    Voice and Diction
• LFIN 250      Theatre and Culture
• THEA 340    Improvisation
• THEA 350    Advanced Acting
• THEA 360    Production and Performance
• THEA 397    Advanced Performance
• SPCH 111   Fundamentals of Speech

Educational History

• Fordham University (NYC)                             Master of Science in Education     1993
• Pennsylvania State University                       Master of Fine Arts (acting)             1988
• Miami University (Oxford, OH)                       Bachelor of Arts (theatre)                 1979