What people say about me:
TEACHING REVIEWS:
"Ms. Brown is the real deal!" Jacob B.
While Crystal leads my class I notice that all of my students are engaged and smiling. I have a student who is an English language learner and he actively participates in all activities. Crystal creates an environment that feels supportive and creative. The drama games that Crystal planned got my students up out of their seats and engaging with their peers in ways that I don't always have time to facilitate in my classroom. The games are "low stakes" so that everyone feels safe and willing to participate.
- Sara Goldrath, teacher, The Brandeis School of San Francisco
“I enrolled my daughter in Crystal’s drama play class for this fall. At first I was hesitant because my daughter is quite shy and I wasn’t sure if the drama play would be too intimidating for her. Boy was I wrong! Crystal’s class is SO fun!!! And by the third class, I was already being banned from being in the same room. Now every week, as the day gets near lots of excitement comes along....This class has become Anna’s favorite, and it has completely brought her out of her shell. It is simple, but very creative. Lots of open ended play, and also very empowering. I highly recommend this class to every parent. It really opens up the kids, and allow them to freely express themselves in the most authentic way.”
-Jia Li
"My students are so excited when Crystal comes to work with them once a week. She provides creative and interactive activities that promote teamwork, classroom community, and freedom of expression that is very refreshing"
- Sam Silvestri, teacher- The Brandeis School of San Francisco
"Crystal is a very talented high-energy person with a wealth of knowledge and experience. She is a patient, optimistic, and insightful instructor who is a lot of fun to work with. Through our voice sessions together, Crystal has helped me immensely. She has given me the tools I need to enhance my singing abilities and has also expertly instructed me on how to practice and understand and feel what my body should be doing when I sing. I cannot recommend Crystal enough as a voice coach or acting teacher."
- Austin Kent
"Crystal is a talented director and educator. Each time I witness her directing I am constantly amazed at her ability to bring the best out in each of her students/actors. She gets them to show and experience sides of themselves that I (and I think even some of them) never knew existed. She has the ability to coach them in a way that makes them feel confident and capable of whatever it is that she’s asking them to try or do. I have watched her do this during all 5 productions that we’ve collaborated on and I am still amazed and awed by her work. She truly has a gift!"
- Kimberly Lostetter
"Ms. Brown is the real deal!" Jacob B.
While Crystal leads my class I notice that all of my students are engaged and smiling. I have a student who is an English language learner and he actively participates in all activities. Crystal creates an environment that feels supportive and creative. The drama games that Crystal planned got my students up out of their seats and engaging with their peers in ways that I don't always have time to facilitate in my classroom. The games are "low stakes" so that everyone feels safe and willing to participate.
- Sara Goldrath, teacher, The Brandeis School of San Francisco
“I enrolled my daughter in Crystal’s drama play class for this fall. At first I was hesitant because my daughter is quite shy and I wasn’t sure if the drama play would be too intimidating for her. Boy was I wrong! Crystal’s class is SO fun!!! And by the third class, I was already being banned from being in the same room. Now every week, as the day gets near lots of excitement comes along....This class has become Anna’s favorite, and it has completely brought her out of her shell. It is simple, but very creative. Lots of open ended play, and also very empowering. I highly recommend this class to every parent. It really opens up the kids, and allow them to freely express themselves in the most authentic way.”
-Jia Li
"My students are so excited when Crystal comes to work with them once a week. She provides creative and interactive activities that promote teamwork, classroom community, and freedom of expression that is very refreshing"
- Sam Silvestri, teacher- The Brandeis School of San Francisco
"Crystal is a very talented high-energy person with a wealth of knowledge and experience. She is a patient, optimistic, and insightful instructor who is a lot of fun to work with. Through our voice sessions together, Crystal has helped me immensely. She has given me the tools I need to enhance my singing abilities and has also expertly instructed me on how to practice and understand and feel what my body should be doing when I sing. I cannot recommend Crystal enough as a voice coach or acting teacher."
- Austin Kent
"Crystal is a talented director and educator. Each time I witness her directing I am constantly amazed at her ability to bring the best out in each of her students/actors. She gets them to show and experience sides of themselves that I (and I think even some of them) never knew existed. She has the ability to coach them in a way that makes them feel confident and capable of whatever it is that she’s asking them to try or do. I have watched her do this during all 5 productions that we’ve collaborated on and I am still amazed and awed by her work. She truly has a gift!"
- Kimberly Lostetter
Performance Reviews:
https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/04/29/review-love-faith-and-cancer-drive-new-play-in-berkeley/
"If I were forced to nominate just one of these remarkable ladies, it would be Crystal Brown, who plays Sister Mary Leo. I found it difficult to take my eyes off the novice nun who could have been a ballerina. Brown has earned this author’s award for conviction of movement."
http://www.wayneroadie.com/nunsense-review.html
"It’s his bride-to-be, Susanna, who’s really got the smarts in the household, in a wonderfully assured performance by Crystal Brown."
https://www.mercurynews.com/2016/07/05/review-original-marriage-of-figaro-gets-lively-run-in-berkeley/
"Crystal Brown is irresistibly animated and charismatic as Viola, the young woman who dresses up as a man to serve a duke who enlists her/him to woo a countess"
https://www.mercurynews.com/2016/08/25/review-theyre-rockin-out-to-shakespeare-in-berkeley/
"If I were forced to nominate just one of these remarkable ladies, it would be Crystal Brown, who plays Sister Mary Leo. I found it difficult to take my eyes off the novice nun who could have been a ballerina. Brown has earned this author’s award for conviction of movement."
http://www.wayneroadie.com/nunsense-review.html
"It’s his bride-to-be, Susanna, who’s really got the smarts in the household, in a wonderfully assured performance by Crystal Brown."
https://www.mercurynews.com/2016/07/05/review-original-marriage-of-figaro-gets-lively-run-in-berkeley/
"Crystal Brown is irresistibly animated and charismatic as Viola, the young woman who dresses up as a man to serve a duke who enlists her/him to woo a countess"
https://www.mercurynews.com/2016/08/25/review-theyre-rockin-out-to-shakespeare-in-berkeley/
