A roadmap for the artist in you.
There is a relationship to be fostered between you and your own creativity, and between your art and the world it touches.
Welcome to The Pivotal Artist, where theatre artist, Rachel Shapiro Cooper empowers you to navigate the evolution of your inner storyteller.
Newark Academy Arts Dept. Production of Godspell 2019
The Pivotal Artist offers customized, one-on-one partnerships that prioritize a human first approach to coaching and a genuine understanding of the artist within. Rachel will help you evolve in your career with an awareness of the unique impact your art will have on the world, and the tools necessary to ensure your voice is heard.
Be visible, empowered, encouraged.
Let’s Talk About What Comes Next
Meet Rachel, a storyteller first and foremost:
As the Director of Theatre Arts at Newark Academy, Rachel Shapiro Cooper knows that storytelling and performance art are so much more than just entertainment. They offer a vital connection to our understanding of self, an opportunity to alter a community, and a chance to create meaning in the lives of others. Finding, owning, and sharing what your unique artist has to say is not easy, but it’s Rachel’s mission to provide the roadmap.
Rachel is an actively working storyteller, writing and directing stage shows on the East Coast. Her body of work primarily focuses on social impact and inclusivity. Pieces like Another Number in the Pool, a Luna Stage production, and Voting Writes, a verbatim theatre production she directed and performed in. Rachel is also in development on a theater project titled, DamnZels exploring women and whiteness, and a yet to be titled television pilot.
Services
Arts Educator & Consultant
An Arts Curriculum Designer and Developer with almost two decades of professional experience, Rachel will infuse a floundering arts program with renewed energy or build a new theatre curriculum from the ground up. It’s not one size fits all - Rachel creates a comprehensive plan fit for each program's individual needs.
Theatre Arts Coach
Rachel coaches both teens and adults with a desire to make a career in theatre arts. For her college-bound clients, it’s all about finding the right material and the right learning environment. For her career-shifting adult clients, Rachel empowers her students to explore the other arenas where their passion for storytelling and skillset meet.
Corporate Coaching
Rachel brings the invaluable lessons from the theater into the executive space to build team camaraderie, trust, and genuine play. She builds community among co-workers with active exercises and performance techniques, creating a space where everyone can talk about vulnerability in leadership, discuss the tone of the workplace, and better understand each other. Rachel’s workshops give everyone space to share their stories and come together to write a new one. At the end of the day, this is about connection and belonging!
Testimonials
As an educator who is trained in social justice and intergroup dialogue, I am keenly aware of the importance of good design and facilitation to any learning experience. Having had the pleasure of working with Rachel over the course of three years, both as a collaborator and co-facilitator, I can say that she is especially adept and intentional in creating learning spaces where folks can discover themselves and learn from one another. An inspiring thespian, director, and facilitator, Rachel’s brilliant engagement of her students was most evident in a six-week Theater for Social Justice project that we collaborated on which culminated in a fearless and personal student-written production."
Gardy Guiteau
I had the pleasure of meeting Rachel Shapiro Cooper in the Spring of 2018 while I was working toward my NJ Teaching Certification. Rachel helped me build my resume and cover letter so that they targeted private and public schools and successfully coached me through interviews, helping me land a teaching position for the 2018-2019 school year. Rachel was incredibly supportive and willing to share her expertise throughout the process."
Justin G.
My experience working with Rachel was amazing! She is friendly, easy to work with, and made me feel comfortable. Rachel's experience as an Arts Educator helped me fine-tune my acting and communication skills and gave me the assurance I needed to present myself confidently and easily during the college audition process."
Rachel D.
Gardy Guiteau
Justin G.
Rachel D.
Eventually you have to confront what makes you, you. You can’t pretend yourself away, not even on the stage.
