I will be applying for the American Educational Research Association’s Research Grant.
The AERA requires applicants to fill out an application, attach a resume, and plan of action.
My research will focus on the use of theatre and improvisation based exercises as a tool to help immigrants learn and improve their English and Spanish speaking skills, focusing on elementary school students in urban areas of Jacksonville, Florida. These exercises will be in both English and Spanish to reinforce their knowledge of both languages. Two preliminary language tests would be given to the students, one written, and one oral. These exams would be administered at the beginning of the school year in August to determine their baseline understanding of English and Spanish, again in December to monitor their progress and at the end of the school year in May to see their overall growth and the effectiveness of their programs.
The program would ideally be given every day after school for about an hour and a half. The program that I have developed works best for a group of 10 kids, ages 5-6. This program would consist of three sections: a warm-up, a play of the day, and an exit exercise. During the warm-up, I would work with the students on a number of different theatre games all heavily based in text and language work. I will be using Augusto Boal’s “Games for Actors and Non-Actors” text for reference. During the “Play of the Day” portion of the class, I would give each student the opportunity to tell a small anecdote about their day and then in groups of five, act out and perform these stories for each other.
The grant would help cover travel expenses, books and supplemental materials for the students, and the costs of the exams.
Isabella Martinez
P.O. Box 19723
Jacksonville, FL 32245
(904) 403-1839
imartin1@jacksonville.edu
EDUCATION
Stanton College Preparatory High School (2012-2016)
International Baccalaureate Program (2012-2016)
Jacksonville University- BFA Musical Theatre (2016-present)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Assistant Music Director at Camp Theatre Jacksonville (2014-2017)
Wardrobe Assistant at Alhambra Dinner Theatre (2017)
Translator for Spanish Language Plays at Aurora Theatre (2018)
VOLUNTEER WORK
Translator/Interpreter UF Health Baby Showers (2012-2015)
Community Theatre (Actor, Prop Manager) (2012-2017)
Treasurer of American Association of University Women
(AAUW) at Jacksonville University (2017-Present)
AWARDS / HONORS
International Baccalaureate Diploma Recipient
AP Scholar
3.9 GPA – Jacksonville University
College of Fine Arts Dean’s List
Players By the Sea Pelican Award 2016-2017:
Best Actress in a Musical- American Idiot
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Fluent in Spanish
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel,
Snapchat, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+,
Garageband, iMovie, Sibelius, Digital Photography (Canon).
REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
Theatre
2018 Into the Woods Baker’s Wife Jacksonville University
2018 Love’s Labour’s Lost Katherine Zero Circle Theatre Company
2018 Company Marta The 5 & Dime Theatre Company
2018 Man of la Mancha Aldonza/dulcinea All Beaches Experimental Theatre
2017 Urinetown Penelope Pennywise Jacksonville University
2017 American Idiot Whatsername Players By the Sea
2017 A New Brain Rhoda The 5 & Dime Theatre Company
2015 Spring Awakening Ilse Apex Theatre Company
2015 Godspell Soloist Apex Theatre Company
2015 Hairspray Dynamite Theatre Jacksonville
Film
2018 Lemoncurd Guest #2 Drew L. Brown/ Laura Mauldlin
2017 In Perception Girl #1 Pine Studios Florida
Education/Training
Stanton College Preparatory High School (IB program 2012-2016)
Jacksonville University Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre (2016-Present)
Vocal Training with Matt Morgan (2014-2015)
Vocal Training with Jay Ivey (2016-2018)
