Kelli Giddish is an American actress best known for her role as Detective Amanda Rollins in the long-running television series, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. As a successful actress with a diverse range of projects and roles under her belt, Giddish makes for an interesting and engaging subject to teach students about in various educational settings.

Early Life and Education

Kelli Giddish was born on April 13, 1980, in Cumming, Georgia. Growing up, she demonstrated a strong interest in acting, leading her to pursue this passion further at the University of Evansville in Indiana. At university, she studied theater performance, graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Teaching about Kelli Giddish’s Career

When teaching students about Kelli Giddish, it’s important to discuss her decade-spanning career across different media platforms:

1. Theater: Cover some of her early stage performances after graduating from college, such as the off-Broadway play The Deep Throat Sex Scandal in 2010.

2. Television: Discuss her early roles on TV series like All My Children, where she played Di Henry from 2005-2007.

3. Law & Order: SVU: Dive into her most iconic role as Detective Amanda Rollins and how her character has evolved throughout the years on this popular show.

4. Film roles: Touch upon some of her film roles like The Understudy (2008), Death in Love (2008) and Breathless (2012).

5. Award recognition: Highlight notable awards and nominations that Giddish has received over the years.

Providing Resources for Engaging Lessons

To help students develop a deeper understanding of Kelli Giddish’s work and career, consider sharing these resources:

1. Video clips from key projects: Show examples of her acting prowess via short clips from TV shows, movies, and interviews.

2. Articles and interviews: Provide students with written materials discussing Giddish’s approach to her roles, career perspectives, and insights on working in the entertainment industry.

3. Biographies and profiles: Offer students various online resources on Giddish’s background, life story, and career achievements.

Incorporating Group Discussions and Creative Projects

Maximize classroom engagement by incorporating group discussions and creative projects based around Kelli Giddish’s career:

1. Role analysis: Divide students into groups to analyze different roles played by Giddish, discussing how she brings different characters to life on screen.

2. Acting exercises: Encourage students to learn from her acting techniques through watching video clips and reenacting scenes as a class or in small groups.

3. Media comparisons: Facilitate conversations comparing Giddish’s work across media platforms (TV, film, theater), focusing on the similarities and differences in her performances.

4. Career timeline project: Have students create a career timeline for Giddish, detailing her major projects, milestones and accomplishments.