Amelia Broome Honored for Innovative Teaching

2020 Teaching Awards, Part 3

The Emerson College Alumni Award for Teaching Innovation, sponsored by the Alumni Association and Academic Affairs, honors an educator who engages students in active learning in and out of the classroom; employs effective, new, inclusive teaching methods and/or utilizes technology to enhance learning; and provides a stimulating environment that encourages students to challenge the intellectual and creative status quo and discover news ways to accomplish their goals.

Amelia Broome, Performing Arts Senior Artist-in-Residence, director of the Musical Theatre program, and award-winning actor and singer, is a certified Linklater voice teacher with over 20 years’ experience teaching voice, speech, and musical theatre.

Outside of Emerson, she has served as dialect coach for the Lyric Stage, Speakeasy Stage Company, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, and the Huntington Theatre Company. She has performed on stages across Greater Boston, including an IRNE Award-winning turn as Margaret Johnson in The Light in the Piazza, and IRNE-nominated roles Adult Female in Spring Awakening and Katharine Hepburn in Tea at Five. She played Maria Callas in Master Class, Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, and Kate in Kiss Me Kate. In 2010, she appeared in the Mel Gibson film, Edge of Darkness.

TEACHING AT EMERSON SINCE: 1995

COURSES TAUGHT: “First-year Voice and Text, Advanced Acting: Voice/Dialects, Musical Theatre Scene Study, BFA Musical Theatre Performance, Singing for Actors, Musicianship, Junior and Senior BFA Studio Voice/Text/Dialects … I am basically a teacher of all things voice-related.”

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT TEACHING?: “I am a teacher down to my bones. I am also a working professional actor and singer. My great pleasure in teaching is not only to offer reliable and trustworthy information, but also to present it and model it as someone ‘in the trenches’ with them, sharing and relating to their experiences.

“I am reminded that the Latin etymology of the word “education” means not only to train or mold, but also to draw or lead out, implying that there is something within that can be encouraged and awakened. My hope is that a balance of these two outlooks can happen in my classes, so that our Emerson students can graduate and enter the world as the well-rounded and dynamic citizens we know them to be. If I can be a small part of that, I am very gratified.”

WHY SHE WAS NOMINATED:

“She cares deeply about her work and she dedicates her full attention to each and every student.”

“She takes time out of her schedule to make sure her students are taken care of and comfortable with the material in class… When it comes to material in class, she teaches efficiently and effectively.”

“She analyzed each individual moment and approaches each student in each situation with such care, creativity, awareness, and with no fear to push our limits.”

“She’s passionate and driven, and I hope everyone gets the chance to learn from her.”

“Not only is she incredibly talented and accomplished in her own career, but she sees the potential in every student, regardless of ability. Amelia believes that every student is worthy of the same attention and respect, and by the end of the semester, every student exhibits significant growth… I can personally attribute my success and confidence (as a human, not just an actor) to the support and dedication Amelia showed me. This is the reason why students return to Amelia’s classes year after year.”

“Amelia Broome is deserving of the … Award because she is an empathetic and engaging educator who is excited to teach, and it’s contagious! She is a remarkable talent in and out of the classroom and is the embodiment of creativity and social responsibility.”