Elementary and Secondary Schools
In addition to the hundreds of educational performances Lenka has provided to schools across Connecticut and suburban New York, she is also a teacher, specializing in after-school programs, curriculum-based workshops and series, and dramatic arts workshops. Lenka has long experience in Artist-in-Residence programs (both spoken/musical theater and mime) for elementary schools, both during the school day and as after-school programs. These programs not only teach dramatic arts (including, depending on the topic, classic pantomime, acting, improvisation, and other theater arts) but are also tailored to curriculum emphases. Most programs lead to performances by the students. Lenka is listed with the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, and her programs are eligible for, and have received, numerous educational and cultural grants. Lenka has also presented outreach programs in assisted living facilities and hospitals.
New Workshop! Currently, Lenka is offering an interactive artist-in-residence workshop for elementary schools on manners (etiquette) and dealing with bullying, in which the scholars prepare a performance on the topic for their fellow students.
Lenka’s teaching for elementary and middle school scholars includes work at the Norwalk Community College, “College for Kids”; Greens Farms Academy, Westport; public and private schools in Darien (Tokeneke School), Stamford (incl. Toquam, Stillmeadow, Rogers, Westover, Northeast, others); Nathan Hale Ray Middle School, Moodus/East Haddam; Center Road School, Vernon; Greenwich, New Canaan, and Rye (NY) public schools; the Darien Arts Council Dance Center; Ballet Stamford/East Coast Youth Ballet (Stamford and Byram); Stamford Theatre Works; Connecticut Ballet Dance Exposure Project (several schools in Stamford); Connecicut Dance School; Agudath Sholom Hebrew School, Stamford; Darien YMCA; and Pre-K programs in Stamford, Darien, New Canaan, Greenwich, Bridgeport (ABCD Inc.), many others.
Lenka has provided extended workshops as artist in residence (drama and nonverbal communication) at Toquam Magnet Elementary School, Stamford (fourth, fifth grades, special education students); Hart School, Stamford; Springdale Elementary, Stamford; Rosco Programs, Stamford; Our Lady Star of the Sea Academy, Stamford; St. Saviour School, Greenwich; International School at Dundee, Greenwich; many others. She has directed numerous children’s productions.
Secondary School Courses and Programs
Lenka has provided secondary education courses and programs for the Young Students' Drama Program, SUNY Purchase; Young People's Ballet Program (mime and acting for dancers), SUNY Purchase; Connecticut Ballet Theater School (mime), Southport; Connecticut Ballet Center, Stamford; Rye Public Schools (workshops for middle schools, including for special education students); Fairfield University Summer Ballet Program (mime and acting); Sacred Heart Academy, Stamford (drama, mime); Stamford Theatre Works School of Performing Arts (acting, mime, circus arts, stage movement); Norwalk Community Technical College. She has directed high school and pre-college students at the SUNY Purchase Pre-College Theater Program (The Boyfriend, CATS); the SUNY Purchase Young People’s Ballet Program; the Darien Dance Center (CT); community performances in New Rochelle, NY; and at other Connecticut schools.