Brandon Cloyd

Background

About Brandon Cloyd

I realized my interest in creative arts at a very early age. My parents and friends were entertained when as a 5 year old I convinced older friends to create a show while we were on a camping trip. Later, I was mesmerized by a show at Circle Theater and actually cheered for my favorite actor. I decided to be part of some productions and began auditioning. And after being cast in a major role when I was 10 years old, that was it for me; I wanted to do anything I could to satisfy my passion for performance, including continuing with both Circle and Civic Theaters, one act competitions and forensics competitions in high school and acceptance at Northwestern University as a theater major, with a business minor and a focus on theater for young audiences and directing.Upon graduation from college, I was fortunate to become a cast member of PlayMakers Laboratory (formerly Barrel of Monkeys). This was an ideal position for me because I’d long realized that another passion of mine was working with young children, including those who are underserved. The Chicago Public Schools and PML was a fertile ground for this work. Both of my passions led me to continue rising in the company from teaching artist, lead teacher, after school program-coordinator, program director, and finally artistic director.Both my college training, particularly the business minor and experience in all aspects of performance, facilitated my ability to successfully lead a well recognized arts organization in the city of Chicago.Additionally I spent many summers as Associate Director of Camp Echo in Upstate New York, managing a co-ed seven-week sleep away camp of approximately 650 campers and 250 staff. My role at camp involved programming all camp recreational activities, managing daily staff/campers’ schedules, handling staff issues, organizing staff orientation & training, running special events, planning camp field trips, and making sure that Camp Echo is in compliance with the New York Department of Health regulations and rules.I have maintained my interest in creative arts and education as it pertains to social emotional learning, recreation and supporting non-profit business and to that end look forward to where and how I can use my talents with the right organization.