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P.S. Arts Goreti da Silva is helping students find their voice

Goreti da Silva is an accomplished actor and Inside Out Community Arts (IOCA) teaching artist. She inspires energy and curiosity in her students as well as in her fellow teaching artists in her role as an IOCA master trainer. We had an opportunity to sit down with her and talk about her own artistic practice and how she is helping students find their voice.

In seventh grade, my Language Arts’ teacher talked my mother into signing me up for a local acting class. I was terrified and not at all interested in attending. I am forever grateful to that teacher because acting changed my life.

Tell us about your personal work and how it affects your teaching.

I am an actor who loves the stage! My joyful, terrifying, fulfilling experiences on stage, whether they have been performing in a play, improvising, doing sketches or stand-up comedy, affect my teaching in a profound way. I recognize all the feelings associated with acting and honor them. I connect with the child who is terrified or shy, and I also connect with the diva. And, I know first hand how drama can change your life!

In sixth grade, I was a very shy student and my family moved to a new neighborhood where not only did we not know anyone, but we were not welcomed. In seventh grade, my Language Arts’ teacher talked my mother into signing me up for a local acting class. I was terrified and not at all interested in attending. I am forever grateful to that teacher because acting changed my life. By the end of seventh grade, I had found my voice and won many public speaking awards. My grades, self-confidence, and social interactions greatly improved. I continued studying drama through high school and loved it.

After a circuitous route from business to education, I ended up returning to my first love, acting. I initially found Los Angeles to be a lonely place; however, I was lucky enough to find the Inside Out program and joined a wonderful team of teaching artists. Now many years later, I continue to teach my art form while still pursuing my acting career. In fact, I was nominated for a Broadway World LA award for my work in “26 Pebbles” a beautiful play about the Sandy Hook shooting.

What are some consistent sources of inspiration for you/your artwork?

I attend many plays, sketch shows, improv shows, and stand-up sets where I am consistently inspired by talented, brave individuals and ensembles creating art that lifts spirits, opens minds, and connects people. And, I love to watch comedy TV shows because that is what I aspire to do. I was lucky to work on the set of “Big Little Lies” for a couple of episodes in season two and it was inspirational working with Andrea Arnold, Meryl Streep, and Nicole Kidman. I learned so much about professionalism, kindness, and working in an ensemble

I work very hard to create a safe, supportive environment where students work in an ensemble. I want them to have respect for themselves, others, and the art form.

Goreti da Silva with her students on painting day

If your students have one main takeaway from your class, what would you like it to be?

I want everyone to have fun and feel accomplished in every class. So, I work very hard to create a safe, supportive environment where students work in an ensemble. I want them to have respect for themselves, others, and the art form.

Tell us about a memorable class/student/lesson.

During the last round of Informances (classroom presentation), the students lead their adult friends and family in the audience in creating character voices.  It warmed my heart at the amount of laughter and joy that was in the room as students watched how even adults can be shy, divas, nervous, good, and/or challenged by performing.  And, it was lovely to watch how gently they critiqued the adults.

Goreti da Silva with her students

What famous person, either dead or alive, would you choose to take out for coffee?

Carol Burnett is my heroine. Growing up, I sat in front of the TV a lot. I love how Carol made her audience feel like they were in her living room and how she surrounded herself with a very talented ensemble. I laughed so much and dreamed of one-day making people laugh and forget their troubles like she did. I’d love to tell her that and hear her experiences.


Thank you, Goreti!   Teaching artists like Goreti are a vital part of what makes P.S. ARTS programs succeed. Support our teaching artists here.

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