Amanda Cantrell Roche is a choreographer, writer, and a Teaching Artist for TPAC Inclusive Arts, Triple A Teaching Artists, and independently. Trained in contemporary dance, restorative arts, mindfulness, and journalism, she works with students, teachers, and youth in the juvenile justice system to give agency and facilitate authentic creation of works of art in dance, visual art, writing, or multi-media. Recipient of the 2022 Hermitage Artist Retreat Fellowship for Arts Education, her choreography, “Yearning to Breathe Free”, was presented at the Americans for the Arts national convention. Her ongoing creative focus is on the climate and health.
Sample Programs Offered
Program Type: Arts Integration, Arts Appreciation
Program Description:
- Students reflect on the concept of legacy and what it means to be an ambassador for their school or classroom. They identify characteristics of their school or classroom culture that are positive, and that need to be shared with others. Through warm ups and small-group activities, they explore expressing these concepts through dance or theater, eventually completing an original dance or skit to represent their school or classroom. Connects with Core Competencies.
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
Program Type: Arts Curriculum, Arts Integration, Arts Appreciation
Program Description:
Students will engage in the Narrative 4 Story Exchange, exchanging true, personal stories. These exchanged stories will be used as raw material for creating theatrical vignettes or dances. Students will engage in hands-on, inquiry-based activities exploring using vivid spoken language and precise body language to enhance storytelling. With their partner, they will create a fictional character, with his/her own personal story, told through a monologue and/or dance.
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
Program Type: Arts Appreciation
Program Description:
This residency allows participants to articulate concerns and anxiety about the climate crisis as well as reflect upon and articulate ways in which they resource themselves and practice mindfulness and self-care. Students are given agency to choose the art form — dance, spoken word, or theater — in which to present their climate concerns and their coping strategies. The infinity symbol is used as a structure for performances featuring multiple solo expressions.
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
