Summer Academy at the University of Georgia

AGES 10 to 16 | AGES 12 to 17 | Instructor Bios | Join our mailing list!

SAUGA 2008 Instructor Bios

Amber Brock (DAWGWarts Camp) is back as the DAWGWarts Headmistress for 2008! Amber has taught Spanish as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at UGA, and is currently teaching at a private school in Atlanta. Amber received her MA in Spanish from the University of Georgia in May 2005. She graduated from Furman University in 2002 with a BA in Spanish.

Aragorn the Magician (DAWGWarts Camp), like his cousin Merlin, lives backwards through time. He was born in the Year BlipFlop, which, as you know, is the old calendar year 3275AD. This makes him a spry 1271 years young. He discovered Magic (which had disappeared) as an Old Tyke when he tuned into a broadcast of "The Magic Land of Alakazam." Needless to say, Aragorn got hooked on Magic. And much to the sorrow of all his myriad family has been doing Magic ever since. This is Aragorn's second year as the Charms instructor for DAWGWarts!

Lisa Cesnik (Acting for Teens) is a co-founder of Rose of Athens Theatre, a non profit 501(c)(3) professional theatre in Athens. Lisa has lived in Athens, Georgia (off and on) since 1998. She earned her MFA from the Department of Theatre and Film Studies at UGA in 2001, and during her time as a graduate student enjoyed her work as an instructor, teaching Fundamentals of Acting (an acting class for majors only), Acting for Non-majors, Theatre Appreciation and various workshops and seminars. Cesnik returned to Athens in 2004 and happily resides here, whilst traveling to other theaters and universities to direct, perform, and instruct. Some of these theaters include the Carpenter Science Theatre Company at the Science Museum in Richmond, Virginia, the Springer Opera House in Columbus, Georgia, the University Theatre at Columbus State University (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006) and Dad's Garage in Atlanta, GA. Lisa is dedicated to remaining in Athens, and this coupled with her determination to remain active in her field has created a great deal of traveling over the last several years. One of the most rewarding of these ventures has been her work as a full time assistant professor at Columbus State University where she directed Rumors by Neil Simon among other works. Cesnik also enjoys a continued flourishing relationship with the Springer Opera House in Columbus, Georgia. One of the 10% of historic theatres still standing in the United States, this 137-year-old Victorian theatre was dedicated in the late 1970's by President Jimmy Carter as the "State Theatre of Georgia". Lisa has directed The Odd Couple, Winnie the Pooh, Tartuffe, Moonlight and Magnolias, Crimes of the Heart and many more. In addition she has performed lead roles in the world premiere of The Little Baby Snooglefleejer (she got to spend time with the Carter family!), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Diary of Anne Frank, Romeo and Juliet, Oliviatown, Proof, Dinner With Friends, On Golden Pond and To Kill A Mockingbird. Prior to returning to Georgia, Cesnik worked as a director and actor in Chicago, Illinois from 2001-2003. While working in Chicago, she received "Critic's Choice" from the Chicago Reader for her direction of My Dirty Little Secret for First Date Productions. She mentored youth volunteers and co-directed the summer theatre camps. From 1991-1993 she was the production manager at American Cabaret Theatre in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1991 she graduated from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana with an undergraduate degree in Theatre with a concentration in directing.

Diana Chen (Comic Book Creation and Cartooning) is currently a senior at the University of Georgia. Though she's on her last two semesters as an undergrad for a BFA in Graphic Design (which she loves), she also have a secret passion, which is drawing illustrations that are fairly heavily influenced by Japanese animation and certain Art Nouveau artists. Diana has always enjoyed helping others in their quest to learn more about art, being that it was seemingly one of those few subjects kids actually looked forward to during school. While she was in high school, Diana was in charge of a self- formed Anime Club, where she was an art director for two years and the president for the final year. The club tried its best to teach and share drawing and create an anthology at the end of the year, very similarly to what is done at SAUGA. Diana very much looks forward to future endeavors of art, whether they are within the realm of graphics, advertising, fine arts, illustration, or even education. You can check out some of Diana's fantastic work here: http://erei-dianachen.blogspot.com/

Christopher Childs (Beginning Video Production Camp, Advanced Video Production Camp) is an Athens Native and filmmaker who has worked as an intern with famed documentarian Albert Maysles (Gimme Shelter, Grey Gardens, Salesman) over the past year while finishing his master's degree in media studies at The New School in New York City. In 2007, Childs worked as the Production Coordinator on Maysles' latest film, a documentary on the pop-punk band, Fall Out Boy. While in graduate school, Childs edited a documentary exploring identity establishment of identical twins. Double Your Pleasure premiered in California in 2007 and was screened as part of the New Director's Series at the Anthology Film Archives in April 2008. Childs graduated in 2005 from the University of Georgia's Grady College of Mass Communication and Journalism, where he produced, directed, and edited a documentary on evangelical professional wrestlers. The award-winning God's Tackle Box screened at numerous festivals around the country in 2007. Childs' interest in filmmaking began during a four-year time period, spanning high school and college, in which he filmed more than a dozen punk rock bands in and around the Atlanta area. Chris is currently shaping these early recordings, totaling over 150 concert performances, into a future project along with several other documentary and experimental films.

Gael Furbush (A Young Point of View: Photography Camp) is a graduate from the University of Georgia, where she earned a BFA in Photography. Last spring, Gael was part of an after-school program which brought the exciting world of photography to kids at the Boys and Girls Club of Athens. Gael's main focus is landscape and travel photography although her freelance work recently has included shoots with local bands and a spotlight on Athens in Atlanta Magazine. In her free time, Gael enjoys a variety of activities such as biking, reading, and playing the drums.

Lynn Halverson (Sing Your Heart Out!) is a 1981 graduate of Cedar Shoals High School who recently returned to Athens after spending several years performing and living in the New York City area. Lynn received her Bachelors of Music in Music Theatre Voice Performance from Florida State University in 1986. Upon graduation Lynn hit the road and appeared around the United States in multiple touring shows, summer stock and Busch Gardens. Lynn settled for a time in Washington D.C. where she appeared as a guest artist for the Smithsonian Palm Court series. After a summer of study in New York City at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Lynn got the acting bug and moved to New York City in 1993. She debuted Off Broadway and became a member of Actors Equity, creating the role of Monique in the popular musical Pretty Faces. Nationally Lynn appeared with Theodore Bikel in the tour of Fiddler on Roof. Lynn is fondly remembered for the role of Annie in Annie Get Your Gun at College Light Opera in Massachusetts. In the Broadway-bound musical Twist, at the George Street playhouse, Lynn created the role of Ms. Cotton. Lynn has appeared in many Off Broadway productions and showcases, and has studied voice and acting in New York City. She is a registered Music Together (an internationally recognized early childhood music program for kids, and the adults who love them) instructor. Most recently, Lynn appeared as a soloist with the Athens Choral Society and as an ensemble member in The Mikado and Amahl and the Night Visitors with the Athena Grand Opera at the Classic Center.

Brantley Jones (Beginning Video Production Camp, Advanced Video Production Camp) was born twenty-one years ago in the small, quiet town of Cairo, Georgia where he made his acting & directing debut at the tender age of seven. Mom was the cinematographer, and, quite possibly, the video's sole audience. Brantley and his costar, cousin Britney, knew the true power of film and imagination. Ever since, Brantley has continually worked with video as one of his primary interests alongside music (he is the bassist for the local band The Ice Cream Socialists). He is proud to report: Mother is no longer the cinematographer. This is Brantley's second year with SAUGA.

Laura Larson (Comic Book Creation and Cartooning) is a graduate from the University of Georgia, majoring in Art Education. Her travels worldwide and study abroad experiences have affected how Laura teaches and makes her art. In her free time, Laura loves painting and ceramics, along with mixed media projects. Currently, Laura is a drawing and painting teacher at the Hudgens Center in Gwinnett, GA for smART, a scholarship program for middle school students.

Eric Lothspeich (Comic Book Creation and Cartooning) is a graduate from the University of Georgia Lamar Dodd School of Art (May 2008). Eric has a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Graphic Design and an emphasis toward illustration. Eric grew up drawing the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers of the early nineties and was even influenced a little by the anime boom later in the decade; however, films like Disney's The Lion King and Mulan are the artistic masterpieces that Eric tries to live up to. Eric enjoys teaching and has volunteered at summer camps such as the Coca-Cola Space Science Center in Columbus, Georgia. There, Eric taught middle school students about space and the solar system. He also facilitated Cub Scout Summer Camps where he taught a few classes and acted in camp fire skits. Eric believes that all forms of art can be made better through the use of drawing and a sense of design. The best way to learn these two basic principles is to enjoy what you do because that is when you work the hardest. When it comes to art, Eric always chooses the path that is the most fulfilling and tries to convey that through his teaching. You can check out some of Eric's amazing work here: www.ericlothspeich.com

Lisa Mende (Acting for Teens) is a professional actor who has recently moved to Georgia from Hollywood. She has worked in television, movies, and theatre for 20 years. Her credentials include feature films produced by Showtime, Disney, Paramount, and more! Her film history includes appearances in Honey, I Blew Up the Kid, Gremlins II, and more! She has been a guest star on television shows and movies produced by Lifetime, HBO, WB, CBS, ABC, Nickelodeon, NBC, Paramount, and FOX. She has also appeared on several television shows including Seinfeld and Friends. Lisa has performed improvisational comedy at nationally recognized festivals including the HBO Comedy Arts Festival.

Kisha Shelton (DAWGWarts Camp) is currently working as a Program Coordinator for the Department of Plant Pathology in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia. She is also a PhD student working on a doctorate in Adult Education.

Dr. Rick Waters (Beginning Video Production Camp, Advanced Video Production Camp, Mini Medical School) is a native Georgian and graduate of the Medical College of Georgia. He works full-time as a freelance instruction designer to healthcare. Dr. Waters began using computer video editing in 1998 and in 2004 won an Award of Distinction for Video Production by The Videographer Awards. His nephews think he is the world's greatest video editor. Dr. Waters has worked with kids in several summer camps at Rock Eagle and currently is on the Board of Directors and Treasurer of Prevent Child Abuse Athens. He and his wife Marie have lived in Athens since 1995. This is his 3rd year working with SAUGA campers.

Jason Watkins (Basic Video Production Camp, Advanced Video Production Camp, Screenwriting and Production Camp) is a graduate of the Grady College of Journalism at UGA, where he studied all aspects of digital video production. Since graduating, he has worked as a professional actor on both stage and screen and has taught acting for kids age 10-18 with various regional theatre companies. Jason is extremely happy to be returning for his third summer with SAUGA. He is continuously inspired by the creativity and enthusiasm of the campers.

Professional & Personal Development
The University of Georgia
Center for Continuing Education
Conference Center & Hotel
1197 South Lumpkin Street
Room 191
Athens, GA 30602-3603
Phone: 706-542-3537 or 1-800-811-6640
Fax: 706-583-0180
E-mail: Kathleen.McDermott@georgiacenter.uga.edu