Corey Ann’s Bio

Corey Ann is a community activist with a passion to provide quality anti-violence interactive education. She attended the University of Texas at Austin where she graduated with a degree in public relations. She participated in many activities and was featured in the College of Communications promotional materials, The Student Experience.

In addition to studying public relations, her work in college focused on a comprehensive organization called Voices Against Violence (VAV) program. She studied with renowned educator, Geeta Cowlagi. In two years, she moved from being a student in the class to leading it. VAV uses creative forum theatre to engage students and faculty in talking about domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In their education, VAV encourages discussions of race, class, gender, sexuality, ability status, and religious oppression. The scenes are incredibly interactive and formed Corey Ann’s foundation for executing quality, ground breaking work with young adults.

Below is an advertisement she helped develop for Voices Against Violence in 2007.

During these years, she grew with the VAV program - first acting and facilitating performances to solidify her understanding of the work. Corey Ann then began directing outreach performances, coordinating major education events, and developing different public relations strategies for internal and external audiences. Through her work as a Student Coordinator, she was also introduced to the logistical side of the VAV program: overseeing 30 student actors, writing training packets, synthesizing evaluations, and recruiting and managing volunteers. Corey Ann’s role with the VAV program at UT established her passion for education and outreach.

After working with VAV in college, Corey Ann knew she wanted to continue organizing and educating young adults, which is why she is drawn to peer education programs. In 2008, Corey Ann worked as the Teen Theater Coordinator and Community Educator at Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee. Their teen theater troup is called the PG-13 Players.

The PG-13 Players is in its 22nd season and is a group made up of 23 high school students who are trained in the summer around issues of HIV/AIDS, healthy relationships, teen suicide, power and privilege, safe sex, and more! Corey Ann worked with the students to write 5 interactive scenarios dealing with issues that are important to teens. From there, she coordinated the PG-13 Players Premiere and began working in the community. In this role Corey Ann saw much more of the logistical side and learned techniques to organizing youth. Furthermore, she observed and felt the energy that young adults have around reaching out to others to talk about important issues - and this solidifies Corey Ann’s belief that young people can and will do revolutionary work.

Below is a picture of the cast on the night of the
2008 PG-13 Players Premiere.

In regard to your program, not only does Corey Ann apply her knowledge of how to coordinate and support an education program, but she also has the ability to implement strategies that can help sustain its existence and improve its rapport with the community. As a supportive force for your program, she has an eye not only for the effectiveness of the initiatives but also for its sustainability and longevity.