Douglas Herman

I'm a seasoned professional teacher who is a performer, actor, writer, and director.  I started my professional acting career early and performed in many Actors Equity shows and also on television and radio. I've taught music, drama, songwriting, performing arts skills in many grades all the way from preschool, elementary and junior high. I've also taught adult education classes in guitar. I have taught young children guitar, piano and songwriting. I've also directed many shows and taught and directed young adults musical theatre.  Being a professional script consultant (www.script-advisor.com), I've taught many novice screenwriters the art of screenwriting. I've played piano and sung (and played drums) with many jazz bands.

I worked in a Young Audiences Actors Equity company for many years, honing my skills as a performer, writer, director, songwriter. I performed and wrote for the American Cancer Society in many Los Angeles schools and for PBS TV.  I was nominated for a Los Angeles Emmy for one of my our PBS programs.  I have taught auditioning and acting techniques to many students.   I cast and directed many radio programs for ages from teens to adults.  I worked as a story analyst for Heart Entertainment Productions, helping to develop many of their movies.  As a professional screenwriter myself, I've optioned several projects.  I released a compilation of songs I wrote for children to great acclaim.  I worked in several schools for many years as a music teacher, creating my own personal music program and curriculum  in order to engage and excite children about music.  I have a B.A. in speech.

***I created the "Easy On Your Fingers" technique of teaching regular guitar with a CLASSICAL guitar so my students can immediately enjoy learning chords on nylon strings without needing to go through the discomfort and pain associated with first learning acoustic guitar.

***I created the "Sing as You  Play" technique of teaching students how to sing songs they love while at the same time learning to accompany themselves on the piano and guitar.

TEACHING AND PERFORMING EXPERIENCE

Children’s Art Institute Teacher 2009

Taught performing arts skills (songwriting, magic, circus arts) to elementary school students.

Learning Enrichment Academy Programs Teacher 2008 – 2010

Taught performing arts skills (music, magic, mime, juggling, drama, improvisation, etc.) to elementary school students.

Screenwriting Teacher 2003 to present

Taught screenwriting through my website, Script-advisor (www.script-advisor.com)

Aimee Art Productions, Director/Teacher 2008

Co-directed elementary students at Franklin Elementary school in a musical.

Valley View Elementary, Music Teacher, 1998-1999

Taught students from kindergarten through 3rd grade. Taught music theory, led sing-a-longs, created original music lesson plans, wrote original songs, choreographed and directed student programs.

Sulphur Springs School District, Substitute Teacher, 1998-1999

Substitute taught for first grade through third grade.

Kirk O’ The Valley, Music Teacher, 1991-1998

Taught students from preschool, kindergarten through 3rd grade. Led sing-a-longs, taught elementary music theory. Taught music, utilizing creative movement.

Future Kids, Computer Teacher, 1988-1990

Provided on-site computer instruction for preschool and elementary students at various schools. Worked with Mathematics, English, Typing, Art, and Language building.

St. Michael and All Angles School Substitute Teacher, 1989-1998

Taught students grade levels K-8. Worked in all subjects with a focus on drama, and speech. Special recognition included accolades for directing and co-writing a play.

California State  University of  Northridge  Radio Writer/Director/Actor 1991 - 1996

Wrote and directed and acted in the on-campus radio program, "Thirty Minutes to Curtain" 

“A Children’s Entertainer Company,” Children’s performer, Children’s Entertainment Agent, 1983 - 2003

Utilized a variety of performance skills including juggling, magic, mime, music, songwriting, comedy, clowning, and creative dramatics to provide entertainment for children’s events. Used phone communication skills to book entertainment for children’s events.

TNRC Productions, Writer, Actor, Consultant, 1975-1983

Wrote, acted, directed in multicultural educational programs throughout Los Angeles Unified School District. Toured through several states. Performed on Educational Television, KCET, and KLCS.  Nominated for Los Angeles Emmy.