EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS
Cal State University - East Bay
TUFFET
SCHMELZLE
Theatre Arts Educator
SUMMARY
Highly engaging, respected, and
imaginative theatre arts teacher,
specializing in Dialects, Advanced
Acting Techniques, the Business of
Acting and Improv for high school
students. Able to utilize students’
background, life experiences and
natural abilities to create a classroom
of enthusiasm, collaboration and risk-
taking. Offers varied targeted lessons
featuring Interpersonal, Kinesthetic,
Auditory, Visual and Musical
components. Outstanding grading
system that is clear and available to
every student and parent. Personal
attention paid to each student with
added focus towards achievement of
each student’s career goals.
Collaborative director and arts teacher
bringing consistent communication
with colleagues, students, parents,
and school community.
CONTACT
PHONE: (818) 679-3731
WEBSITES: www.dialectgeek.com
EMAIL: tuffetschmelzle@gmail.com
June 2021- May 2022
Member of the Inaugural Theatre Single Subject Credential
Program
Loyola University Chicago
August 1997- May 2001
B.A. in Theatre, Minor in Political Science
CTE Arts, Media & Entertainment Credential
WORK EXPERIENCE
Los Angeles County High School of the Arts (LACHSA)
August 2014 - Present
3rd Year Voice & Speech: Dialects
Introduce & instruct application of dialect with vocal exercises,
review of specific sound changes, regional history and cultural
education, sound samples of native speakers, warm up songs,
physicality alternations, cold readings in class and scene
performance. Comprehensive instruction in the International
Phonetic Alphabet. Students learn the RP British, Cockney, Modern
London, Irish, New York, Russian, American Southern, Texas,
Mexican, West African and Boston dialects.
4th Year Advanced Acting Techniques
Teach students the Meisner, Method, Michael Chekhov, Practical
Aesthetics and Imagined Life Acting Techniques. Students are taught
how to take an Actors Headshot, craft an acting resume, fill out their
profile on Actors Access, submit their headshot for TV/Film/Stage
productions and requirements & costs of Union Membership.
Beginning Improv
Students learn the fundamentals of improv games, “yes and”
technique, introduction to montage and sketch writing.
Directing Projects:
• Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Simon Stephens
• The 39 Steps by Patrick Barlow
• 3rd Year Project – Selected Scenes from The Play That Goes
Wrong, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Proof, Our Lady of 121st
Street, Clue August Osage County
Nerinx Hall High School, St. Louis, MO.
2010-2015
Offer various on-camera acting and audition techniques,
dialect and industry survival 101 workshops.
AWARDS & AFFLIATIONS
2015, 2018, 2020, 2021 Winner – Young Arts National
Competition - Teacher of Recognition
SAG/AFTRA Member
Actors Equity (AEA) Member
CETA, Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) Member
Extensive TV/Film and stage credits including multiple principal
commercial bookings