Tammie L. Swopes has been in the business of theatre and education for over 20 years, starting her career in theatre as an intern at the Alliance Theatre Company in Atlanta, GA. Tammie immersed herself in the art and business of theatre, which further inspired her work with youth, social justice, and community building. Her work with organizations such as Performing Arts Program for Youth (PAPY), The Names Project Foundation, and The Partnership for Arts in Learning inspired her move to New York City and her studies at NYU Steinhardt, where she earned an MA in Educational Theatre working/studying with some of the masters in the field, including Dorothy Heathcote, and Augusto Boal. She has since worked as a teaching artist, arts in education specialist, theatre program director, and a full-time performing arts instructor. Tammie is currently an adjunct professor at Marymount Manhattan College and Artistic Associate for the Verbatim Performance Lab, while pursuing her doctorate in Educational Theatre (NYU Steinhardt) and continuing her own work as an artist/educator and social justice warrior.