Velina Brown (she/her/hers)

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Velina Brown is Gateway High’s Drama teacher, Film Appreciation teacher and School Play director. She earned her BA in Psychology and MS in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling from San Francisco State University while also working as a professional actor/singer on stage and screen. After 25 years as a performing artist, Co-artistic Director of the San Francisco Mime Troupe, Founder of The Business of Show Biz Coaching Practice and Founding Faculty of Theatre Bay Area’s ATLAS advanced training program for theater artists and co-author of the ATLAS training manual, Velina became inspired via her work in Soledad prison to shift her focus to “the front lines of the future” and work with high school aged students. Passionate about the role that Drama can play in developing empathy, creative and critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills, Ms. Brown is thrilled to offer this essential training at Gateway.