Daniel Carlton
Teaching artistry
Daniel Carlton is an actor, playwright, director, poet, storyteller, and historian who brings these disciplines together to create collaborative learning experiences.
His teaching and facilitation take place in theaters, classrooms, museums, correctional facilities, senior centers, homeless shelters, hospitals, and other spaces where artistic expression can connect people and ideas.
Creative practice. Shared discovery.
Acting and devised theater • Storytelling and poetry • Harlem history and community memory • Personal development and conflict resolution • Teaching-artist training
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Current teaching & summer programs
HB Studios NY
2017–Present · Acting Instructor
Teaches students ages 11–18 using Uta Hagen training, physical and emotional exercises, props, repetition, and scene work. He also applies these methods at Winston Prep School through life-skills role-plays for post-high-school students with special needs.
Apollo Theater Education · NYC
2017–Present · Teaching Artist
Teaches theater, Harlem history, and poetry, connecting performance practice with cultural history and creative expression.
Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation / Ailey Camp NYC
July 2014–Present · Summers · Personal Development Instructor
Facilitates conflict resolution, health education, self-esteem building, and sexual decision-making workshops through poetry, theater games, affirmations, journal writing, role-playing, and performance. Directs performances inspired by each summer’s themes.
MadRiver Theater Works · Yellow Springs, Ohio
2023–Present · Summers · Summer Camp Co-Director / Creator
Directed the final social-justice-themed devised performance in 2023. Served as lead artist for the mystery-themed devised final performance in 2024.
Professional experience
Mind Builders · Bronx
2019–2022 · Drama Instructor
Provided drama instruction for adolescents, including virtual instruction during the pandemic.
Hook Arts Media / Dance, Theater, ETC · Brooklyn
2009–2019 · Teaching Artist
Taught theater and poetry, primarily in alternative high schools.
While We Are Still Here Project · NYC
2016–2017 · Facilitator / Writing Instructor / Theater Director
In partnership with The Children’s Aid Society, facilitated an after-school program in which middle-school students explored Harlem neighborhood history. The program culminated in a published book of student writing and a community theatrical performance.
Community Works · NYC
1995–2017 · Facilitator / Curriculum Developer / Storyteller
Developed curriculum and facilitated workshops for public-art exhibits including The Long Walk to Freedom, a Civil Rights Movement retrospective, and Harlem Is, a celebration of community difference-makers. In Making A Difference workshops, students interviewed community heroes and created artistic responses. Provided storytelling in schools and non-traditional venues.
Secondary School for Research
2007–2010 · After School Drama Director
Created and directed original and adapted plays for middle- and high-school students, producing fully staged after-school performances.
The Respect Project
2004–2007 · Assistant Director
Served as assistant director for award-winning director George Faison’s Youth Theatre Company. Guided adolescents in developing monologues, poetry, and dramatic presentations based on their life experiences, and facilitated post-performance discussions.
Hospital Audiences Incorporated / Healing Arts Initiative
1996–2006 · Facilitator · Education Department
Facilitated and performed improvisational role-plays addressing AIDS prevention, housing readiness, tuberculosis prevention and treatment, domestic violence awareness, conflict resolution, literacy, and leadership. Settings included schools, mental-health institutions, prisons, drug rehabilitation centers, and homeless shelters. Directed touring plays about adolescent health, including violence prevention; trained adolescents in drama-based peer mediation, decision-making, and post-performance facilitation; led family life-skills workshops in temporary housing; performed as a storyteller in non-traditional settings; and taught poetry and photography to adolescents and senior citizens.
Flying Bridge Community Arts · Red Hook, Brooklyn
2000–2002 · Playwright / Drama Teacher
Taught rotating groups of K–6 students in after-school programs. Wrote and directed 26 short plays for community performances.
River Arts Repertory / Children of War Theater Project
1996–2002 · Actor / Facilitator
Interviewed war refugees and affected youth, contributing to storytelling concerts and theater pieces. Facilitated workshops and performed the material in national and international venues.
Goddard Riverside Community Center
1994–2001 · Resident Cultural Artist / Drama Instructor / Director of Cultural Artists Afterschool Program
Taught drama to school-aged children and wrote and directed short plays celebrating multicultural communities. Guided program themes and educational requirements as a resident artist.
Additional collaboration
Blackberry Productions
2000–2015 · Curriculum Developer / Teaching Artist / Facilitator / Actor / Storyteller / Playwright / Trainer
Bring the work into your community
For workshops, residencies, teaching-artist training, or collaborative programs, share your group’s ages, setting, access needs, preferred dates, and learning goals.