Loretta began her career as a drama/play therapist working with young children with special needs in preschool and hospital settings, and is a registered drama therapist and licensed creative arts therapist. To expand her role and develop her skills, Loretta later attended the Hudson Valley Psychodrama Institute, where she could learn more about group facilitation, sociometry, and playback theatre as a way of integrating role-play with storytelling.
Over the past 20 years, Loretta has been fortunate to have worked with a variety of populations with diverse needs and abilities: older adults with multiple cognitive and physical disabilities, children with mental health needs, and adults in treatment for alcohol and substance abuse.
Relevant Experience:
Loretta has worked as a developmental therapist and creative arts therapist in hospitals, school, and mental health and substance abuse counseling settings. She has worked in the human services field in both program development and management capacities, with years of experience in community building and collaborative projects that improve the quality of life for individuals and families.
Education and Credentials:
Loretta is a Registered Drama Therapist, a licensed Creative Arts Therapist (in NY), and is endorsed as an Infant Mental Health Specialist.
She completed over 300 hours of training at the Hudson Valley Psychodrama Institute.
BA Theatre and Education, Hunter College; MA Drama Therapy, New York University
rotolori@gmail.com
2002 Pinercrest Drive
Sonoma
(845)399-9290
Discover new ways to reach, teach, stimulate, engage and encourage students through interactive, creative learning experiences. Integrating creative arts into the classroom and providing experiential learning opportunities can address a variety of learning styles (the multiple intelligences model) and make curriculum and units come alive!
In this experiential series, we will explore ways to utilize creative drama, theatre games, storytelling, poetry, movement, and team-building and interactive games, to enrich the learning experience in your classroom. Providing opportunities for self-expression, creativity and spontaneity, can foster the development of language, cognitive, and motor skills; highlight individual strengths and talents; improve attention and concentration; invite creative problem solving; encourage teamwork and cooperation; and create an environment where active learning can take place.
Participants will learn ways to apply the creative arts to curriculum, subject themes and projects, to make learning (and teaching) fun. We will use class time also to brainstorm creative interventions to incorporate into your existing lesson plans.
This is an experiential class exploring interactive, creative, fun, activities, interventions and strategies to encourage self-expression, participation and foster group cooperation.
We will discover ways to utilize:
• Improvisation and Spontaneity
• Creative Drama
• Storytelling/Story Dramatization
• Language Arts/Poetry
• Sensory Awareness
• Learning through Music
• Rhythm Games
• Art Expression
• Movement/Non-verbal communication
• Interactive Games
• Arts for Art Sake
The benefits of incorporating creative arts into the classroom include:
• Increases focus and attention
• Encourages creative self-expression
• Teaches active listening
• Allows us to see and appreciate other’s strengths and talents
• Builds trust and respect
• Develops mutually respectful relationships
• Promotes cooperative and supportive groups
• Acknowledges and incorporates diversity
• Offering multiple learning styles
Series: Classes can be offered as either
• 2 hours/week for 4 weeks to allow educators to “try out” the activities in the classroom, adapt and brainstorm ideas/methods that will enhance existing lesson plans and support educational goals. 8-15 participants.
• Full day workshop option – 9-4 pm
Instruction is offered as team by:
Loretta Rotolo, M.A., LCAT, RDT
Registered Drama Therapist; Licensed Creative Arts Therapist
Jamie Blumenthal, M.A., MT-BC
Board Certified Music Therapist
Loretta Rotolo
(845)399-9290
rotolori@gmail.com
Workshops to be Scheduled Upon Request:
Mon/Tues - (2 half days) or Mornings: 8:30-12:30 or Afternoons: 12:30-4:30 pm
Tues/Wed - (2 half days) Mornings: 8:30-12:30 or Afternoons: 12:30-4:30 pm OR
Wed/Thurs. - (2 half days) Mornings: 8:30-12:30 or Afternoons: 12:30-4:30 pm OR
Saturday - All Day workshops 8:30-4:30 or 9:00 - 5:00
Weekly Follow Up Coaching Sessions are available after initial 8 hr. workshop is completed. Virtual or in-person.
Workshops to be Scheduled Upon Request
Mon/Tues Two mornings 8:30 am to 12:30 pm OR Two afternoons 12:30 -4:30 pm
Tues/Wed Two morning 8:30 am to 12:30 pm OR Two afternoons 12:30 -4:30 pm
Wed/Thurs Two mornings 8:30 am to 12:30 pm OR Two afternoons 12:30 -4:30 pm OR
Saturday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Weekly Follow Up Coaching Sessions available after initial 8 hr. workshop is completed. Virtual or in-person.
Open flexible space, classroom with chairs to be put into a circle, 2 tables
Whiteboard and markers
At a School District or Elementary School Site or other County/Community Meeting Space
$150 per person (8 hour workshop)
Instructors to be notified up to 2 weeks prior to date of first session.