Resume
Joyce Becker Lee
847-393-7114/702-324-3959
Blog: www.ontheperiphery.blogspot.com
EDITOR/WRITER
Creative thinker and solid writer able to communicate clearly and precisely.
- experience in print, spoken, and electronic media
- ability to take an idea and expand and improve it while maintaining original integrity
Effective leader, able to inspire and direct while fostering a team atmosphere of respect and productivity.
- community leader
- experience hiring and instructing freelancers
- teacher of all ages, including adult learners
- theater director/producer/performer
Productive and efficient, able to bring in a project ahead of schedule and under budget.
- able to think beyond the immediate
- creative vision outside the frame
Areas of Expertise
Business Writing Instruction and Testing Materials
Project Development and Supervision
Newspaper Editing and Electronic Communication
Feature Writing
Proofreading/Copyediting
Theatrical Direction and Performance
Textbook Development Including Interactive Materials
Leadership and Team-Building
Radio, TV, and Print Commercial Copywriting
Arts and Education Promotion
Educational Pedagogy and Curriculum Development
Writing/Editing Experience
brochures press releases speeches
publicity packets news articles feature articles
interviews theatrical reviews computer scripts
online testing videos films
e-newsletters blogs podcasts
textbook/academic fiction poetry
stage scripts PSA spots promotional materials
radio and print ads news feeds fundraising materials
Familiar with MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style
Professional Background
IMPROV PLAYHOUSE, INC., Libertyville, IL – Instructor/Director, theater classes and productions
- Provided basic theater instruction for children, teaching voice, movement, and stage presence.
- Directed short plays designed to display the various levels of talent in the most advantageous way.
VILLAGE PROFILE, INC., Elgin, IL – Freelance Features Writer
- Research and write features articles as assigned for Chamber of Commerce publications
- Interview relevant persons for area features article
UPWRITE PRESS, INC., Burlington, WI – Newsletter/Blog Writer/Editor
- Write monthly e-newsletters Writing eTips and Mid-Month Mini, along with bi-weekly blogs, podcasts, and news feeds
- Establish and follow an annual set of topics to be covered
- Edit and present comments contributed by readers
JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS PUBLICATIONS, Milwaukee, WI – Freelance Features Writer
- Wrote regular features on lakes living in Southeastern Wisconsin
- Provided photographs for features
GATEWAY TECHNICAL COLLEGE, Burlington Campus, WI – Adjunct Faculty, Written Communication
- Instructed a wide variety of adult learners in the intricacies of clear, concise writing
- Worked one-on-one to assure individual success
- Developed curriculum in accordance with college’s goals
GENERAL LEARNING COMMUNICATION – Contracted Project Editor
- Edited ESL reading materials while keeping to deadlines
- Checked for consistency in content and proofread for mechanical errors
SEBRANEK, INC./THE WRITE SOURCE, Burlington, WI – Editor/Writer
- Created (with team) a K-12 series of writing textbooks
- Worked on revising various current texts, including Write for College and The Write Source
- Wrote and produced interactive computer grammar lessons for various age levels
- Created instruction and sample content for textbooks, including Write for College and a K-12 series of writing textbooks
- Supervised freelancers
- collaborated with creative on presentation
BURLINGTON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT, Burlington, WI – English/Theater Teacher
- Taught writing, literature, speech, media, and drama classes to students in grades 9-12
- Team-directed school plays and musicals, handling all preproduction organization and supervising students in technical aspects such as lighting, stage construction, costuming, makeup, properties, house management and publicity, as well as acting
- Supervised student programs, including social, spirit, and sports activities
- Participated in faculty committees and organizations
SOUTHERN LAKES NEWSPAPERS, Burlington, WI – Features Editor
- Created and developed a weekly entertainment paper, Alive!, which was inserted into seven newspapers
- Did all writing, interviewing, photography, and layout for the supplement
- Developed all regular features inserts, including bridal, home fix-up, home show, education, and gift guides, among others.
- Interviewed, reported, and photographed for articles for the other newspapers
- Earned award from Wisconsin Association of Technical Colleges
- Provided news reportage for rest of paper
WAUKESHA FREEMAN, Waukesha, WI – Theater Columnist/Reviewer for Visions entertainment supplement
- Wrote weekly theater column for an entertainment features paper
- Interviewed various stage personalities in the Milwaukee area
- Reviewed professional and community theater in the area
WDWS RADIO, Champaign, IL – Commercial Copywriter
- Created commercial copy for area advertisers for CBS affiliate
- Produced said spots, selecting vocal talent, music, and background effects
- Supported Traffic Director in slotting commercials spots throughout air time
Education
MFA Creative Writing, Northwestern University, Anticipated: June, 2010
M.A., Creative Writing, Northwestern University, Evanston/Chicago, IL, 2008
B.A. Cum Laude, English/Theater Sec Ed, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Journalism and Theater , University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Continuing Education Courses, University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Kenosha, WI
Awards and Publications
- Honorable Mention, Writer’s Digest 2010 pop fiction contest, for short story, “The First”
- Poem included in Vampyr Project anthology, Popcorn Press
- Nomination, Northwestern University, for The Best New American Voices 2010
- Poem, “Passage,” featured online on The Poetry SuperHighway
- Writing tips featured in newsletter for the Milwaukee Area Bar Association
- Essay on Chicago featured in New City Chicago
- Short story published in Cicada literary magazine
- Story published in Visions and Voices, Northwestern student literary magazine
- Article, “Prairie Kosher,” featured in Prairies North, a Canadian magazine
- Judge, International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) newsletter contest
- Reporting Award-Public Relations, Wisconsin Association of Technical Colleges, for special newspaper supplement (Editor/Writer/Photographer), Gateway Good News
- Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar featured poet
- Meritorious Service Commendation by the Wisconsin Association of Educators of the Gifted and Talented (WAEGT)
- More than 200 publications in various Midwest features magazines and newspapers
Experience/Accomplishments
- Nominated by Northwestern University for The Best New American Voices 2010
- Developed and led membership drive that more than doubled community theater membership
- Wrote “beg letter” for Ten Chimneys (home of the Lunts in Genesee Depot, Wisconsin) national fund-raising efforts when that venue was operated by Inside Milwaukee Theater Company
- Developed and managed a middle school extracurricular drama program that annually serviced more than 100 students and parents, teaching both performance and production
- Served on Board of Directors for community arts council, promoting arts outreach
- Gave art appreciation presentations to elementary school groups
- Offered successful fund-raising arts presentations to community organizations
- Devised, developed, and supervised fund-raising activities and events for local arts groups
- Wrote, composed, and scored “Kaleidoscope,” a musical exploring the life of the gifted child; commissioned by the Wisconsin Association for the Education of the Gifted and Talented (WAEGT); produced and directed the show for the group’s annual conference
- Established college scholarship program in theater for local community theater group
- Expanded high school drama program to include community outreach performances; increased school-wide theater awareness through incorporation of blended programs with other school departments
- Created, designed, and wrote monthly newsletters for several educational and arts groups
- Wrote a county-funded grant to develop a summer drama program for children
- Performed with university and professional opera companies
- Directed and produced more than 100 plays and musicals, working with children, adolescents, and adults
- Developed and directed middle school drama program that annually serves over 100 children
- Publicity Director: Theater, Arts Groups, Library, School Districts
- Stage and Music Director, working with children, adolescents, and adults in more than 60 plays and musicals
- Performer in more than three dozen plays, musicals, and operas
- Author/Composer of 12 children’s plays and musicals, all produced
- Proficient in office applications in both MAC and PC platforms
PERSONAL SKILLS
organized
dedicated
energetic
enthusiastic
intelligent
effective communicator
dependable leader
wicked sense of humor
artistic/creative
loyal
quick learner
deadline-driven
REFERENCES AND SALARY REQUIREMENTS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
Joyce | 
February 3, 2010 9:07 am
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