Staff Spotlight: Cynthia Hook
Get to know our Education Manager, Cynthia Hook. Cynthia has worked at the Marcia P. Hoffman School of the Arts at Ruth Eckerd Hall for more than 14 years. In her time with the Hoffman School, she has held many roles including Registrar and working as an Education Associate. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts and Education, using her educational experience to help students and adults grow a lifetime love of the arts.
What do you like most about working in arts education?
I love seeing our students grow in confidence and abilities. There’s nothing more amazing than seeing a shy student at the beginning of a class or camp become self-assured in their newfound abilities during a performance!
Children have the chance to be enchanting in our magical theater summer camps.
I love that our programs help foster a lifelong love of learning in the arts and we’ve had many grown up former students now sending their children to our camps and classes.
What are some of the tasks you have at REH?
I help to manage the day-to-day operations of the Education Department. I supervise our private lesson programs. I also oversee our field trip program, the SchoolTime Series.
The cast of Three Little Pigs from the Virginia Repertory Theatre pose in the Murray Theatre after performing as part of our SchoolTime Series.
What is one thing you want people to know about MPH that they may not know?
That we offer a tuition assistance program for families who need a bit of extra financial help to attend camps or classes. Our ultimate goal is to make sure that any student who wants to attend our programs is not turned away because of financial need.
Please visit the Tuition Assistance page for more information.
What should parents know about the Marcia P. Hoffman School of the Arts staff?
Our staff really cares about our students! We try to offer a fun and safe experience for all, whether they’ve been performing for years or just now stepping into the spotlight.
Pictured: (Left, Back Row): Sharon Reid-Kane, Ed.D., Marcia P. Hoffman Chief Education and Community Engagement Officer poses with summer education staff.
What is your favorite part about working at the Marcia P. Hoffman School of the Arts?
For me, it has to be the staff that I get to work with! We work hard, have fun and create incredible experiences for our students. It’s the best feeling seeing our kids on stage performing plays that they helped write or singing music from artists and composers that are brand new to them, knowing that our staff had a hand in fostering that love for the arts in our students.
What is your favorite movie?
I could watch Hocus Pocus a million times! Bette Midler’s performance in that movie inspired my love for the performing arts.