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Lisa Balderston, M.A.

Adjunct Professor of Composition and Literature

Lisa Balderston is a native San Diegan who earned her B.A. in English from San Diego State University and M.A. in Creative Writing and Literature from Fairleigh Dickinson University where she discovered an interest in dramatic writing. She enthusiastically joined the ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç faculty in 2021, eager to teach a variety of writing and literature courses.

When Lisa isn’t teaching, she enjoys being a playwright. In 2019, she won the Local Flavor Playwriting competition, which involved a Stage Reading of her play, Transported. This play later became a live production at the PowPAC Community Theatre during their 2022 season. Also, Lisa has received award recognition by different theatre groups for her short plays, The Sum of Sisterhood and Celebration of Life. Her play, Life by Numbers (full-length) is being produced in June 2024. She is currently serving as an assistant director in the production, The Butler Did It, at the PowPAC Theatre and will be directing, Women in Jeopardy, at the Lamplighters Theatre in May 2025.

In her spare time, she volunteers as a Playhouse Leadership Council member (La Jolla Playhouse) and Board Member, script reader for the non-profit organization, Playwrights Project. When Lisa isn’t working, writing or volunteering, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons.

Education

  • M.A., Creative Writing and Literature, Farleigh Dickinson University
  • B.A., English, San Diego State University

Courses Taught

  • College Composition - WRI 1010
  • College Composition: Research - WRI 1016
  • Writing Around the University - WRI 1001
  • Literature & Culture: Analysis of Dramatic Writing as Literature - LIT 2000
  • Literature & Culture: Horror Literature - LIT 2000
  • Diverse Voices of World Literature - LIT 3050

Experience in Field

  • Supplemental Instruction Leader/Instructional Assistant/Tutor, San Diego Miramar College
  • Creative Writing Instructor (volunteer), Jewish Family Service of San Diego

Professional and Community Involvement

  • Playhouse Leadership Council (La Jolla Playhouse)
  • Playwrights Project – Board Member & Script Reader for the Plays by Young Writers
  • PowPAC Community Theatre – Judge/Awards Manager
  • Mira Mesa Town Council – Scholarship Committee Member