Vanessa Roberts Untitled 

BRIEF INTRODUCTION

It is easy to get caught up in one way of being, one set of defining parameters. And although this may feel comforting at first – stable, secure, familiar – this narrow way of viewing yourself and who you are most often becomes restrictive. A narrow concept of self limits our potential, and here I refer to personal potential, social potential and business potential. I seek to inspire my clients to go beyond the constructed limitations of their sense of self by delivering functional and emotional benefits which are easily implemented. My mission is to share the fundamental freedom of regaining awareness and understanding of the processes of identity construction in order to rig your design to produce the greatest possible results for your life.

By keeping things personal, I am able to create the connections I often felt were missing in the various personal enrichment trainings and presentations I’ve attended throughout my academic and professional career. As a result I am a young professional committed to promoting transformative growth and change. Through my variety of roles as student, RA, co-chair and college representative, among others, I am highly qualified to work with faculty, staff and students towards institutional goals of establishing an open and communicative campus, community or workplace. With a strong background in critical race theory, performance, and story-telling, my workshops and presentations intend to stimulate true connection among participants.



Educational Background

 Master of Arts, from the Tisch School of Arts at New York University, May 2009

 Vanessa was a member of the Department of Performance Studies where her research focused on an expansion of her knowledge of critical theory and the theoretical applications of humor in performance.Theory is personal.

Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from Colorado College,  May 2008

Vanessa's major was self-designed, a time consuming and personally challenging effort culminating in the freedom to combine academic and personal interests under the much narrowed title of  "Critical Race Theory: Emphasis Performance Comedy".  Vanessa's goal in crafting this major was to fine-tune the use of humor as a means of translating critical race theories. Theory is only useful if applicable...and it helps to understand it first!

After securing two advisors, one from the Drama and Dance Department and the other from the Philosophy department, Vanessa designed an entire curriculum complete with a full justification for each course, prepared a letter explaining why her desired course of academic endeavor was impossible through any existing route offered by the College at the present moment, and submitted the completed major proposal to intense scrutiny by the Dean's Advisory Committee. Approval followed shortly thereafter.

Biographical Background

Born: Honolulu, Hawaii to a proud German mother and a self-proclaimed African American/Black father

Raised: Honolulu, HI;  Karlsruhe, Germany; Colorado Springs, CO

 Currently based in Denver, Colorado