Lydia Bolen
Lydia Bolen is a Georgia native and a Teaching Artist in the art of filmmaking. She currently teaches filmmaking, broadcasting, and acting in Gwinnett County Public Schools. She is also a filmmaker, actor, and producer. Lydia holds a BA in Film and Video from Georgia State University. She has worked on several productions, including independent films and theatre, as well as movies and series for national television. Lydia’s approach as a teaching artist is to let the participants learn by doing. She creates an atmosphere of creative safety where the goal is to try something new and, whether there is success or temporary failure, there is learning. Lydia leads summer camps in filmmaking and has held seminars at schools about the opportunities in the film industry in Georgia. Her mission is to teach young people the basics of the art of visual storytelling.
Languages Spoken: Some French, Some Spanish
Arts Disciplines: Theatre/Drama, Media Arts
Core Content Curriculum Areas: Theatre/Drama, Media Arts
Specialized Content Areas: STEAM, Mindfulness Strategies
Grade Levels: 6-8, 9-12
Special Populations: ELL (English Language Learners), At-Risk Students, Dyslexic Students, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Students, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students, LGBTQI+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex) students, Exceptional Learners (students with disabilities as well as those who are gifted and talented
Pre-Service Learning and Professional Development: Professional Development for K-12 Teachers, Professional Development for Teaching Artists
Geographic Availability: Metro Atlanta, North Georgia, Middle Georgia, South Georgia
Program Types:
School-based Classroom Workshop(s), School-based Assembly Program, School-based Residency Program, School-based Summer Program
Community-based Workshop(s), Community-based Assembly Program, Community-based Residency Program, Community-based Summer Program
Online Content for School Use, Hybrid Online and In-Person Content for Schools
Program Fees:
- Performances: Classes of up to 35 students – $55 per class with a minimum of 3 classes; one assembly of up to 250 students – $350 (additional travel expenses for performances outside of metro Atlanta)
- Workshops: Classes up to 35 students – $55 per class, minimum of three classes (travel expenses and small supplies fee are additional)
- Residencies: Two classes for the week, minimum $1,000 (travel expenses and small supplies fee are additional)
Artistic Profile:
Lydia Bolen has been involved in the filmmaking and theatre communities of Georgia for decades. She loves to perform and tell visual stories. Whether on a theatre stage or a film set, Lydia enjoys exploring the script writer’s intent and improvising with commitment. Her mission is to help others develop and express their stories, as well as teach young people the basics of the art of filmmaking.
Teaching Experience:
Lydia has been partnering with teachers, students, and administrators while enabling the learning process in schools and community spaces for over 20 years. She is well-versed in the Georgia standards for Audio-Video Technology and Film, as well as Theatre and is happy to help students meet those standards. Lydia currently teaches filmmaking, broadcasting, and acting to students during the school year and during the summer. She presents at education forums, including STEAM presentations on the tech-heavy art of filmmaking and presentations on opportunities in the Georgia film industry. Developing relationships and encouraging creative expression while maintaining a positive learning environment are key to her success as a teaching artist. Working with young people is a joyous journey for her!
Sample Programs:
- Digital Media & STEAM: A multimedia presentation on how technology and art come together in digital media and the education and work opportunities available in this field in Georgia.
- Caught on Video!: A digital filmmaking residency in which the participants create a short film, usually in the span of a week. This can be done in a different length of time depending on the availability of the students.
- Script Detective: A workshop where the participants close read a script and then change the tone of the scene by altering punctuation, grammar, syntax, and word choice.
Sample Lesson Plans/Study Guides:
- Listing ID: 6028