NAME:
Mrs. Denise Dion
SCHOOL:
Caddo Parish Talented Arts Program
CLASS:
Talented Drama
PROGRAM PHONE:
318-219-0191
Mrs Dion is an accomplished dancer, choreographer, actor and educator. She
is the drama director, along with her husband, for the Talented Arts Program
for the Caddo Parish School district in Northwest Louisiana.
Denise received her MA degree in Theatre Education from Emerson College in
Boston, Massachusetts, and a BA degree in Theatre from Centenary College in
Shreveport, Louisiana. Denise attended Boston University in extended
graduate studies of Directing and Acting. Denise was a faculty member of
Emerson College Summer Stage Theatre and managing director of the Theatre
For Young Audience Program. Denise has instructed drama classes and directed
theatre arts programs around the country. She has worked extensively with
young professional programs in Boston, Ma. Detroit, MI. Chicago, IL. Atlanta
Ga. and New York City, NY. Denise became a member of the TAP faculty and
drama program for Caddo Parish School Board in 2004. She
has directed TAP students in performances of Leaving Duval Street, a series
of one act plays (Look Homeward Angel, The Children's Hour, Picnic) The
Secret Garden, Working, Stage Door, Really Rosie, Charlote's Web, A Day In
Hollywood/ A Night In The Ukraine, Hollywood Homicide (Original script
Dinner Theatre), Merit Badge Murders (Original script Dinner Theatre), The
Christmas Schooner,Quilters, Epic Proportions, American Girls, A Night In
The Museum, (a seriesof one-Act plays. Butterflies are free, Vanities, &
Proof) Denise is the director of two International Honor Thespian Troupes.
In 2004 Denise and TAP students attended the International Thespian Festival
in Lincoln Nebraska and were invited to perform an abridged
version "Picnic". In 2005 the TAP students were selected to perform the full
production of "Working" for festival attendees. In 2006 Jr. TAP members
attended the national Thespian Festival in Tupelo Mississippi for Middle
School Troupes, students performed their original play "Secrets Of The
Universe" for festival attendees. Denise accompanies the ITS Troupes each
year to the Louisiana Thespian Festival where students perform and compete
as well as attend theatre workshops. Denise works nationally as a voice
talent and her professional credits as a performer are with Playwrights
platform, Hoovey Players, Escaped Images, Beau Jest Moving Company, Off-
Balance Dance Company, Centa Stage Theatre Company and Alliance Theatre.
Mrs. Dion returned to the Shreveport area in 2002 and is married to radio
personality Shawn Dion.
Those identified students who excel in the area of drama will be presented
with a rich enviroment that allows for the continued cultivation of their
talents. The rationale for implementing a Talented Arts Program in Caddo
Parish is three-fold:
1. To seek out those students who exhibit giftedness in the non-academic
areas and equip them with skills that further enhance their talent.
2. To Provide experiences for identified drama students that are above and
beyond what the student would receive in the regular classroom setting.
3. To provide a showcase of performance and exhibition experiences for the
talented students of our parish.
