Vanessa
Strahan
Producer, Educator, Artist, Non-Profit Leader, Strategist
ABOUT
ME!
Vanessa is a producer, educator, director, choreographer, and non-profit leader located in Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado.
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She closes her 4 year tenure as the Director of Education at Theatre Aspen in Fall 2025, having produced and directed nearly 20 productions, taught hundreds of young artists, and significantly expanded the Education Department's footprint in the Roaring Fork Valley.
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Prior to coming to the valley, she worked in Chicago as the Education Director at Mudlark Theater, as well as with companies such as Northlight Theatre, The Actor's Gymnasium, Joel Hall Dancers & Company, & Seesaw Theare. She's also a proud founding member of Arts Ed Chi, an arts education advocacy and training coalition for Chicago area companies.
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She graduated from Northwestern University with a B.S. in Theatre, minor in Political Science, and specialties in Musical Theatre and Choreography. she's passionate about inclusive and accessible arts education programs, artistic and technical production, and youth empowerment.
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When she's not in rehearsal or teaching, you can find her doing yoga, dancing, boxing, listening to true crime podcasts, baking, or re-watching The West Wing for the 32nd time.
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New News!
I'm excited to be leading Theatre Aspen Education's premiere Devising production this spring!
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And don't miss my choreography in
Aspen Country Day's All School Production at the Wheeler Opera House in May!
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Work with youth
Over my past eight years as a teaching artist, I have experienced firsthand the impact of meaningful arts education on students of all backgrounds and abilities. By fostering agency, creative-decision making, self-advocacy, and play through the performing arts, I hope to facilitate spaces where young people can become better communicators, collaborators, and community members. Time and experience have only strengthened my belief in theater as an essential tool of social-emotional learning, and the centrality of empathy to community health and joy.
Also, silly games will be played.
