Leadership
Project DRAMA is a research project being conducted at Case Western Reserve University. The primary researchers are Dr. Amy Przeworski, Ph.D. from the Department of Psychological Sciences and Christopher Bohan, M.F.A. from the Department of Theater. Dr. Arin Connell, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist, is providing clinical supervision.
Team Members
Our team members for this project include undergraduate and graduate students in the fields of psychology and the arts.
Amy Przeworski
Amy Przeworski is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. Her work focuses on novel interventions for treating anxiety, stress, and depressive symptoms in children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Przeworski specializes in evidence-based interventions, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to address these psychological symptoms and to prevent them in those who are at risk for developing them.
Christopher Bohan
Christopher M. Bohan (actor) is an instructor of acting, improvisation and directing at Case Western Reserve University and an artistic associate with the Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium. Chris is working toward his certification in Drama Therapy with the North American Drama Therapy Association. He works as an actor and director in the Cleveland area in both theater and film, and is a founding member of Cleveland’s longest-running improvisational comedy company, Something Dada. In 2017, he earned the Cleveland Critics Circle award for Best Actor for his portrayals of Brian in How to be A Respectable Junkie and Sam in The Flick. He earned his MFA in performance from Wayne State University, where he had the opportunity to travel to Russia to study at the Moscow Art Theater School. He is a graduate of Saint Ignatius High School and Lehigh University and a member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA.
Julie Origlio
Julie Origlio is a clinical psychology doctoral student at Case Western Reserve University. Julie’s research interests include studying mood and anxiety disorders among adolescents, particularly stress-related factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of these psychiatric conditions. Further, Julie is interested in adapting psychotherapy treatments to meet the needs of marginalized populations, including LGBTQ+ youth.
Katie Jacoby
Katie Jacoby is a clinical psychology doctoral student at Case Western Reserve University. Katie’s research interests center around risk factors for developing anxiety and depression, including the role of minority identity status, as well as adapting evidence-based treatments into community interventions.
Ana Rose
Ana Rose is a clinical psychology doctoral student at Case Western Reserve University. Ana’s research interest focuses on culturally informed mental health assessment and treatment for marginalized children and adolescents.
Samantha Mailer
Samantha Mailer is an undergraduate student at Case Western Reserve University studying theater on the pre-med track. In the summertime, she works as a student receptionist at the Cleveland Clinic and performs in community theater productions. On campus, she is a member of the CWRU Footlighters, the Players’ Theater Group, and the Case Concert Choir. She has also worked on multiple CWRU theater department shows, which have inspired her love for technical theater. Samantha is absolutely delighted to bring her enthusiasm for theater to Project DRAMA. Above all, she hopes to foster a fun and open space for self-expression.
Ava Tallarida
Ava “Ave” Tallarida is a second year undergraduate student at Case Western Reserve University studying Psychology and Cognitive Science, with a potential third major in Theater Directing. Ave is a member of the campus improv troupe IMPROVment and Secretary for the club Players’ Theatre Group. Ave has a large interest in the way improv can foster therapy and the multiple ways the two overlap, with an ultimate goal to find ways to integrate theater and improv into therapeutic practices and career areas after graduation.
Madeline Golya
Madeline Golya is a fourth year theater and English double major at Case Western Reserve University, and is incredibly excited to be involved with Project Drama. In the past, Madeline has worked as a volunteer youth theater teacher at The Beck Center for the Arts, and performed The Tempest with Cleveland Shakespeare Festival’s collaboration with Kulture Kids. She is also certified to teach the Michael Chekhov Acting Technique. Madeline’s research interests include how mental health and acting exercise intersect, and what performers can do to best support themselves mentally while preparing and playing a role.