Sheila “Strawberry” Gaskins is a veteran of the stage, television, radio and film. Her credits include, HBO’s The Wire (season-4), NBC’s Last Comic-Standing, BET’s
Comicview, and the film, The Salon with Vivica Fox. She is a writer, stand-up comic, visual artist, facilitator, public speaker, and teacher artist.

She loves people and she loves how theatre can be used as a powerful tool for social change. She devised a series of original customized interactive workshops that help people discover or rediscover their full potential.

They include the following:

(2007) Redlight - Greenlight: Maximizing their Potential through Interactive Play. -- Using games and the” art of play” to discover transferable skills in children and adults.

(2006) Healing Humor in the Workplace. -- Using all forms of humor to create a stress free atmosphere in the workplace.

(2004) Managing Expectations: A comprehensive guide for working with vulnerable populations. -- An effective application for working effectively with newly released individuals.

(2005) My Mother / My Self: Breaking the Cycle. -- A workshop analyzing one’s relationship with their mother in order, to determine their own true destiny.

Sheila was introduced to Theatre of the Oppressed at the age of 14. She auditioned for a dynamic, diverse, theatre troop called, “Family Circle Theatre” (FTC.) FTC used Theatre of the Oppressed techniques to explore the problems of society and how they affect youth in Baltimore City. Under the direction of Marc Steiner of WYPR Radio and The Living Stage Theatre Company, FTC was able to create original plays that invited dialogue from the audience. This created a vehicle for the community to address various concerns and plan positive strategies to address them.

A drama teacher for well over 28 years, she has worked with a myriad of populations including but not limited to: Youth at risk, children of promise, homeless women and children, children with special needs, gifted and talented children, vacation bible school participants, adults in recovery and anyone who has the desire to use Theatre Arts as a means of expression and build community. Incidently, Sheila is a founding member of Theatre Action Group (TAG).

She is currently employed with Phillips Programs for Families and Children as an Employment Manager and Drama Teacher; where she teaches TO/ Pedagogy and Experiential theatre techniques to special needs students.

A Certified Alternative to Violence Project (AVP) facilitator for years, she spends weekends at the Maryland Correctional Institutions for Women (MCIW) as a volunteer. AVP introduced by the Quakers uses your inner power to transform violent - destructive situations and behaviors into liberating, constructive experiences and cooperative behavior.

A graduate from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia; she received a BA. degree in Speech Communications and Theatre Arts. She is a certified Offender Employment Specialist / Trainer recognized with the National Institute of Corrections Association (NCIA). Her motto: “ I believe your childhood interests reveal your true calling”.

She welcomes the opportunity to work, facilitate or teach in partnership with any population to encourage effective communication and creative social change. She looks forward to working with your organization.

She has a page in Facebook. Email: sgasmask@aol.com