About

A veteran special educator with 38 years of classroom experience, Collette’s love of her students and commitment to the arts led to her encore career of performer and playwright. In Annie Speaks she has created a dynamic personification and innovative event that enchants all ages and upholds Helen Keller’s idea that all children should have s souls’ birthday.

Visit Collette's personal website

Visit The Grandmother Chronicles



Creative

Performances

  • Jeanette Rankin, 1st American Congress Woman 2019 (Legacy Dinner Women’s History Month)
  • Annie Speaks (2010-current)
  • Women’s Festival of the Arts Lansing MI (2010) one-woman show featuring my original comedic works
  • Multiple acting roles in local productions
Authored Plays

  • Annie Speaks (2010-current)
  • Maria and Me The meeting of Helen Keller, Maria Montessori and Annie Sullivan. (2021 SOAR Zoom Presentation)
  • Jeweled Mask Detroit Playwrights Lab YouTube/Zoom (2021)
  • Rocky Road to Life Staged reading (2019)
  • Recollecting 67 a Story of Race, Rebellion and Reunion Detroit Fringe Festival winner (2018)
  • Dressed ROAT (Random Acts of Theatre Ford Performing Arts Center, Dearborn, MI) (2018)
  • Between the Thorns Detroit Playwriters Lab Showcase, Detroit Repertory Theatre (2018)
  • Good Endings Detroit Playwriters Showcase, Detroit Repertory Theatre (2017)
  • Alley Love ROAT (Random Acts of Theatre) Ford Performing Arts Center, Dearborn, MI (August 2015)
  • Encore Workshopped at Iowa Summer Institute (July 2015)
  • Between the Thorns Directed and performed at the Ford Performing Arts Center and the University of Michigan Dearborn (2014/2015)
  • Bit by Bit Workshopped
Published Works

  • The Muse and His Writer, Geez Anthology on disability (2014)
  • Published Jenny's Story (1988) Education of the Visually Handicapped
  • Press and Guide Entertainment award (Dearborn, MI 2014), Best Director for Annie Speaks
  • Press and Guide Entertainment Award (Dearborn, MI 1996), Best Actor
  • Various other publications including New York Times (2010)

Education and Career

  • MA Educational Administration (1978) U of M
  • BA Education Wayne State University (1975)
  • ESL Instructor (Individual/Webinars/Outings) Global LT (2015 - 2020)
  • Oakland University School of Education Field Mentor TFA (2013 - 2015)
  • Wayne State Supervisor student teachers (2010 - 2017)
  • Special Educator with over 30 years experience