Educator / Writing Coach

Laurel, is a fantastic teacher who has a great sense of story.   She cares deeply about her students and is extremely nurturing.  I highly recommend her!   

Wesley Du

Writer/Actor , Wesley’s solo show "Hong Kong Mississippi" was presented at the Greenway Court Theater and is scheduled to be at LaMama in NYC.

Next Playwriting Workshop Begins OCT 12, 2021

This is a class I love to teach.

Create your first draft or polish your current play. 

This is a workshop where you will get results.

Learn more.

Laurel’s class is the ideal place to stretch into your true voice. She’s insightful, thoughtful, wildly knowledgeable, funny and laser sharp at getting to the heart of your story….Laurel supports her writers in authentically expressing themselves on the page and on their feet.   She is masterful!

Writer and Student

Laurel Ollstein is available for:

  • private coaching for writing projects,

  • solo show coaching and development,

  • teaching residencies, and

  • teaching writing workshops for writers, teens, mature adults and other special populations.

Contact Laurel directly at laurel@laurelollstein.com to schedule a consultation.

 

Teaching Experience

 

University of California, Los Angeles  (UCLA)                                     1999-Present

Writer’s Program Faculty – Extension Program Creative Writing

  • Teaching the following courses on an ongoing basis:

ENG 414.59, Writing the One Person Show

ENG X 456.25, Finding Your Story: Introductory Writing

ENG XL 135, Creative Writing: Drama

ENG- X 402.3 Intermediate Playwriting

 

OTIS College of Art and Design                                                  2008-Present

Part-time Creative Action Faculty, Creative Action Program

  • Conceptualized and developed the curriculum for the very successful course Life Stages: Creating a Portrait with Words.
  • Brought students together with senior citizens for the past 7 years facilitating intergenerational collaboration to create, vivid written portraits.

 

Pierce College, Woodland Hills, California                                     2014-2015

Adjunct Professor, Theater Arts and Dance Department

  • Taught Introduction to the Theater, covering the history, technical artistry and current trends in theater. The class culminated in group project where students produced their own ten-minute plays. Taught for 2 semesters.
  • Directed students in a production of my play CHEESE. Providing students with the experience of working on a new play with a playwright. Bringing in professional contact, nationally-known playwright Alice Tuan to introduce students to dramaturgy.

 

University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK                                                2012

Faith Bloome Playwright in Residence, Helmerick School of Drama,

Weizenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts

  • Won competition for residency at the university to write a new play.
  • WroteThey Promised Her The Moon (based on the true story of the first female astronauts) during residency at the school.
  • Developed course, wrote detailed syllabus and taught advanced playwriting to undergraduate theatre students.
  • Collaborated with multiple faculty, staff members and students on the world premiere production of the play to a sold out crowd and glowing reviews. The play subsequently received a reading in NYC and was produced at The Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles.
  • Awarded the White Buffalo Mask Award for service and contributions to the School of Drama.

 

Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California                     2000-2008

Adjunct Professor of Theatre, College of Communication and Fine Arts

  • Taught classes in beginning and advanced playwriting, acting and directing and within three years produced two National Playwriting awards recipients.
  • Created new curriculum which included dramaturgy, oral history and devised theatre to enthusiastic student response.
  • Served as respondent for Region VIII, American College Theatre Festival ten-minute play competition for two years. Created and taught a well-attended one person show workshop for festival attendees.
  • Conceptualized and produced student new play festivals.
  • Collaborated extensively with faculty on development of curriculum and production of theatrical performances. Attended departmental meetings, kept regular and well-attended office hours. Resulted in excellent faculty and student relations.

 

For a more extensive list of teaching experience, please request curriculum vitae.

 

Selected University Level Courses Taught         

Beginning through Advanced Acting

Introduction to Theatre

Audition Techniques

Solo Performance

Beginning and Advanced Playwriting

Survival in Professional Theatre

Creative Writing

Oral History

Scene Study

Script Analysis

Set and Costume Design

 

Education

Master of Fine Arts (Theatre), Graduated with Honors                           2000

University of California, Los Angeles

Graduate Teaching Assistant, Undergraduate Playwriting                      1998-2000

 

Bachelor of Arts (Theatre), Graduated with Honors                                1980

San Francisco State University

30 years of professional experience as an actress, educator, playwright, producer and director.

 

15+ years experience as an instructor of theater arts at the university level.