Deanna has taught at community centers, colleges, universities, and theatre companies all around the United States to students ranging in age from 5 to 82.

She has directed over 50 theatre productions, most recently Gramercy Ghost at the Coaster Theatre in Cannon Beach. Her directing career includes a season as Assistant Director on Broadway at Circle in the Square and serving as the artistic director for two theatre companies – Women’s Workshop in NYC and the Nevada Theatre Company in Las Vegas. During her years in Nevada she was named an Artist-in-Residence, creating community theatre projects in under-served communities throughout the state.

Loving to learn almost as much as she loves to teach, she holds a BFA in theatre from Cornish Conservatory for the Arts in Seattle, an MFA in directing from University of Virginia, and an MFA in creative writing from Eastern Washington University.

In 2019, she made her home on the North Coast in a little cabin in the great forest, where she lives with her partner Tod, who is fond of wearing overalls, and high- leaping cattle dog, Abby. At low tide, you may find her at Haystack Rock sharing information on the bird and marine life with the City of Cannon Beach/Haystack Rock Awareness Program.