Terry Menefee Gau

Experience

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  Various

  Jan 1995 - now

  Actor, Director, Producer

  Professional film, video & stage credits; Member Screen Actors Guild; talent resume available upon request.

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  Union Presbyterian Seminary

  Oct 1999 - Aug 2005

  Director, Project Burning Bush

  Connected high school students to their passion and vocation- Created a curriculum based in relationship and daily spiritual practices - then kept it fresh and relevant for 250 students over six years- Continued the relationships with the PBB students beyond my time as director, becoming the Alumni Liaison after handing the reigns to someone else - and I'm still friends with many today- Provided a safe, nurturing environment for the magic to happenTold the story of youth, their passion, and their right to participate in community now- Became a strong advocate for youth leadership, speaking to the Lilly Endowment's Fund for Theological Education and offering workshops as their yearly gathering- Trained and managed up to 10 employees in the ways of leading over 30 teens - and they loved every minute (well, almost)- Recruited full attendance each year at Montreat Conference Center and Union Presbyterian Seminary by creating relationships, designing marketing materials, public speaking, and mass mailings- Managed our $775K Lilly Endowment grant, successfully asked for more, and spoke regularly on the amazing new generation rising in our midst Show less

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  Blathering Social Media Management

  Mar 2012 - Oct 2013

  Social Media Manager

  Told the amazing story of companies and organizations such as Budget Blinds, Tailored Living, Wesley Foundation at University of Cinncinnati, and Wireside Communications- Re-designed websites and wrote copy for webpages- Created social media accounts- Created video & print advertisements- Created and wrote regular blogs, updated calendars, performed periodic media sweeps

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  The Acts of Faith Theatre Festival

  Jul 2012 - Jul 2015

  Coordinating Manager

  I connected art and the interior faith/spiritual life for theatre-goers in the RVA.- Coordinated 25 shows at 19 venues for the three month festival, increasing post-show discussion by over 500 participants- Worked closely VCU Department of Religion to develop service curriculum for religion class based in the festival- Moderated (and still moderate) talk-backs for challenging shows with difficult stories- Connected the theatre community with the faith community in an event unique to the RVAI successfully told the story of the Acts of Faith as America's largest faith-based theatre festival!- Wrote all press releases and create all marketing materials, including brochures, website, web ads, and posters - Led campaign for donor engagement Show less

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  St. Thomas' Episcopal Church

  Sept 2013 - Mar 2014

  Communications Manager

  I connected parishioners to new leadership after the loss of the entire pastoral team.- Redesigned and created all communications media, i.e. bulletins, e-blasts, brochures, flyers, and posters- Updated and maintained the website, the very active calendar, and volunteer schedules for two Sunday morning services- Created and implemented a new technology plan with a diocesan grant, covering new computers, software, and better network capabilities

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  Union Presbyterian Seminary

  Jun 2014 - Aug 2015

  Alumni/ae Coordinator

  I reconnected lost and disconnected alum to their alma mater for its centennial celebration.- Made personal calls and pleas to each class coordinator from over 50 years of classes, resulting in an abundance of attendees for the celebration- Created relationships lasting to this day between PSCE alum and the federated school, even after hard feelings and a difficult merger- Worked with an amazing team to create the centennial event with hundreds of participants feeling valued and heardI successfully told the PSCE and Centennial story.- Redesigned the PSCE archival website using over 3,500 archival photos, videos, and podcasts- Edited videos of the event as gifts to prominent contributors - Coordinated fundraising efforts for the faculty chair campaign Show less

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  Self-employed

  May 2015 - now

  Writer

  I've been writing most of my life, but started seriously writing in 2012 with my blog "Rage for Explaining." I turned to screenwriting in 2015 and in 2019 won First Place for TV Drama in the Cannes Screenplay Contest, leading to paying work, management and professional status. I also write articles and TV/radio copy for my position as Community Engagement Manager at VPM.

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  CultureWorks Richmond

  Apr 2016 - Feb 2019

  Director of Programs & Outreach

  I create programs to meet the needs of the arts & culture community in the RVA and Tri-Cities. - Workshops such as "Grant-o-Rama" and "How to Tell Your Story" in partnership with other arts and culture organizations like Studio Two Three and SPARC - Collaborative networking events such as "Collaboration Station" - Information sessions such as our "CultureWorks On the Road" series and "Coffee and Calendars"- Our signature "artoberVA" event - a month-long celebration each October spotlighting local arts & cultureI build relationships, connect dots, and drive collaboration for artists, organizations and business. - Collaborate with the Better Housing Coalition to bring three Community Art events each year to underrepresented and underserved communities - Coordinate equity and inclusivity conversations between CultureWorks and artists of color as well as organizations that represent multicultural interests - Bring together artists and businesses, such as the Flying Squirrels' Arts Night and Carytown artoberVA NightsI advocate for local arts & culture all day, every day. - Created and manage the CultureWorks Arts & Culture Calendar platform, getting the word out about our rich and diverse community - Tell the story of arts & culture as an economic driver in our region to business and government leaders - Coordinate fundraising activities and events to continue the CultureWorks mission Show less

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  VPM

  Feb 2019 - Apr 2023

  Community Engagement Manager

  I create and maintain key relationships in the arts & culture community that deepen engagement and that serve our mission to educate, entertain and inspire a diverse public media audience of lifelong learners in Richmond and surrounding areas.Duties include: - Create, maintain and deepen local partnerships that expand key audiences, increase engagement, and broaden VPM’s impact to the greater community - Work cross departmentally to deepen community engagement with current content, as well as produce new content in response to community need - Plan and execute events - in person and online - in support of engagement strategies - Develop accessible learning tools for parents and educators - Work with staff and contract personnel to create on-demand and interactive digital elements for events. - Write and produce Artsline, VPM web articles (AP Style) and other content highlight RVA’s arts & culture community - Convene local partners in the arts & culture community to listen to community needs and strategize collaborative ways to positively impact those needs - Manage the VPM volunteer community Show less

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  UZURV – The Adaptive TNC

  Apr 2023 - now

  Senior Copywriter

  Copywriting for website, email and other communications.