“ Extraordinary. Intelligent. Patient. Understanding. A Leader.”
Rachael Swartz is a dynamic Milwaukee-based artist with a vibrant career spanning acting, directing, intimacy direction, choreography, vocal coaching, and education. A passionate multihyphenate, Rachael thrives on fostering creativity, storytelling, and connection through her diverse roles in the arts and education.
After a decade in higher education—serving as the Head of BFA Acting at one institution and the Coordinator of Musical Theatre at another—Rachael transitioned to empowering young people by demystifying the college admissions process. She is currently the Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment at Prescott College, working with students from undergraduate through PhD levels. Additionally, she coaches Acting the Song and Repertoire Selection for students preparing for competitive Musical Theatre college auditions with MTCA. Each summer, she brings her expertise to the renowned Interlochen Arts Camp in northwest Michigan, where she serves on the acclaimed Acting and Musical Theatre faculty.
Rachael maintains a robust presence in the professional arts industry and is a proud union member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. Her recent regional performance highlights include: The 39 Steps (Annabella/Pamela/Margaret), The Sound of Music (Mother Abbess), Romeo and Juliet (Nurse) and Comedy of Errors at the Interlochen Shakespeare Festival, which won the 2025 Oscar Wilde Award for Best Professional Shakespeare Production in Michigan.
Her on-camera work includes projects with the Travel Channel, ID, Oxygen, and TV One.
Deeply committed to Theatre for Young Audiences, Rachael has performed and directed across the U.S. and Canada. She completed a tour of service with AmeriCorps, bringing theatre to underserved communities. Her leadership roles in arts education include serving as Education Director at Maples Repertory Theatre and The Clinton Area Showboat Theatre, Education Associate at Greenbrier Valley Theatre, and Director of Theatre Arts Camps at The Lost Colony.
Rachael is a fierce advocate for arts accessibility and believes every student deserves the opportunity to experience the transformative power of the arts. She is an active member of the Musical Theatre Educators’ Alliance and the Voice and Speech Trainers Association, and she holds certifications as a Lessac BodyVoice Certified Trainer and an ISMETA-Registered Somatic Movement Educator. She also previously served as the Coordinator of the Musical Theatre Initiative for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
Rachael earned her BA in Theatre with a Minor in German from Baldwin Wallace University and her MFA in Theatre Performance from The University of Southern Mississippi.
With a passion for collaboration, mentorship, and innovation, Rachael remains committed to shaping the next generation of artists and fostering equity and excellence in the arts.
“Since Rachael began working with the students at E&H, their work has markedly improved. Their level of professionalism in auditions and on stage is now commensurate with other college programs in a way it was not before. The students’ acting has grown immensely, and the shows themselves are stronger, particularly when Rachael directs them. Some of the best shows I’ve seen in the last 20 years at E&H have been under Rachael.
The students are vociferous about Rachael’s strengths as a teacher. They are enthusiastic about working with her and it is clear that they have learned a great deal from her. They are comfortable with her and feel that they have been pushed to become their best.”
“I worked closely with Rachael when we produced Dead Man’s Cell Phone, which she directed, as part of our mainstage season. I enjoyed our collaboration greatly. Rachael had a strong vision for the show, and was open to listening to the opinions of those of us on the design team. The group of us formed a solid working relationship based on respect, creativity, and a love for the arts. I would welcome the opportunity to work with her again.
Rachael’s ability to work with student actors of all skill levels is astounding. I was able to observe her interactions with students in class and in rehearsal. She is professional, yet caring; exacting, yet collaborative; fun, but not a pushover; understanding but not sparing.
She earned the respect and loyalty of her students in her classes and in her productions, on both professional and personal levels. Rachael encouraged the students to get professional headshots, to participate in regional auditions, to take chances, to look for opportunities. Her enthusiasm is contagious.”
“Having a professor like Rachael Swartz to stand in your corner and help you advocate for yourself is something I do not take lightly. Her dedication to providing a constructive classroom full of worthwhile materials and projects, and the way she can accommodate students is what has helped me personally learn so much in these past few semesters. The growth I’ve been able to make under her tutelage not only in the classroom setting, but in the rehearsal space as well is just one of the many reasons she deserves every teaching award there is and will be.
Working closely with her as a TA, sitting on the other side of the desk, has helped me understand the work and passion she puts into her curriculum. Serving in her class is what gave me the push to seek out a teaching job this summer, from which I was able to recently accept an offer above anything I could have hoped for..
…She listens to her students and takes time to coach one on one in acting courses, and takes feedback in the rehearsal space with a collaborative approach which was not something I was used to before coming to Parkside.
Rachael Swartz has been an amazing addition to the UW Parkside Theatre Department, and in my last remaining year here I hope to make the most out of the fountain of knowledge and kindness she has to offer. I have gained so much beyond knowledge, I’ve gained a confidence through the encouragement she offers and a renewed passion for performance that the pandemic has affected.”
Rachael Swartz’s approach to arts education is rooted in the belief that theatre training is not only a medium for artistic growth but also a platform for developing essential life skills—better communication, empathy, and a sense of collaboration. Through her career as a Teaching Artist, Education Director, and Professor, Rachael has guided students across all levels of experience, from kindergarteners to graduate students and even industry professionals, ensuring that the arts remain accessible and relevant to all.
Rachael’s teaching philosophy emphasizes creating an inclusive, compassionate, and dynamic environment where students are empowered to discover their personal voices and explore their artistry with boldness and curiosity. She champions experiential learning, self-analysis, and granting permission to fail as fundamental to fostering growth and innovation. In her classrooms, students not only learn to hone their craft but are encouraged to challenge societal narratives, amplify underrepresented voices, and create work that reflects and reshapes the world around them.
Committed to modeling professional engagement, Rachael integrates her industry experience into her teaching. She brings an enthusiasm for introducing new trends in theatre, exploring diverse literature, and reimagining stories through inclusive and innovative lenses. Rachael believes in empowering students to use their voices, bodies, and talents to create meaningful art that sparks dialogue and incites change.
Whether working with young children taking their first steps into creative expression, advanced graduate students, or seasoned industry professionals refining their craft, Rachael’s goal is to remove barriers between students and a lifetime of creative pursuits. By fostering mentorship, offering individualized support, and nurturing an environment where failure is seen as a step toward growth, she works to cultivate bold, fearless artists who are equipped not only to contribute to the arts but to transform the world.
Coach with Rachael. Whether you're preparing for a production, seeking dialect coaching, or polishing your vocal technique, Rachael offers expert coaching tailored to your needs. She works with individuals and ensembles across theatre, film, and even pageantry. Sessions are available both in-person and virtually, providing flexibility to meet you wherever you are in your journey.
