Michele Hillen-Noufer
Arts Integration | Curriculum Development | Arts Program Design |
Michele
Michele Hillen-Noufer works at the intersection of arts integration, education, and social-emotional learning. Drawing from her background as a professional performing artist (AEA, SAG-AFTRA) and educator (M.Ed.), she designs and implements curriculum and training programs that support students, educators, and communities.
Michele serves as a Turnaround Arts Coach, is a supervisor for Sacramento State’s Theatre and Dance credentialing program, and teaches both the Theatre Methods course for credential candidates and Children’s Theatre for future classroom teachers—supporting educators at multiple stages of their professional journey.
Her work is grounded in practice, guided by research, and driven by a deep belief in the power of the arts to foster connection, growth, and learning.
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About
My Beginnings
My Favorite Work
My Favorite Work
Growing up, I was extremely shy so I made it a personal challenge to audition for a play where I could express myself as someone else, a different character. I found comfort in playing someone else. I stepped outside of my comfort zone and made the stage my home, which brought me to study performing arts in college.
My Favorite Work
My Favorite Work
My Favorite Work
At the end of the day, one of the most
rewarding things I've ever done was a production that my husband directed
with our children!
My Life Today
My Favorite Work
My Life Today
I'm very fortunate to be doing what I love as my profession. This job allows me to changes lives and put tens of thousands of kids on a potentially different trajectory!
Bio
Michele Hillen-Noufer is a professional performing artist, educator, and arts integration specialist with more than 25 years of experience in theatre, film, and television across the United States and internationally. She is a member of the Actors’ Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA and holds a Master’s degree in Education.
Throughout her career, Michele has directed, taught, and choreographed professional theatre and theatre for young people, working in classrooms, community settings, and professional training programs. Her work centers on using theatre as a tool for learning, connection, and personal growth—particularly through arts integration, social-emotional learning, and inclusive practices that support students with diverse learning needs.
Michele currently serves as a Turnaround Arts Coach for the Sacramento Region, supporting schools and educators in strengthening arts-integrated instruction and school culture through the national Turnaround Arts framework.
She is also an instructor in the Theatre & Dance Department at California State University, Sacramento, where she plays a key role in the university’s new Theatre and Dance credentialing efforts. Michele teaches the Theatre Methods course for credential candidates, supervises credentialing students in the field, and teaches Children’s Theatre to future classroom teachers—supporting educators at multiple stages of their professional journey. She has been a member of Sacramento State University’s Academic Talent Search faculty since 2012.
In addition to her university teaching, Michele is deeply engaged in professional development and teacher training. She regularly leads workshops and in-service trainings for educators and teaching artists and remains connected to K–12 classrooms through her work with NorCal and local elementary schools.
For 15 years, Michele grew STC School of the Arts, creating multiple programs and mentoring generations of young theatre makers, storytellers, and artists—many of whom continue to make meaningful contributions in the arts and beyond.
Michele is a founding board member of the Sacramento Alliance for Regional Arts (SARA), an organization dedicated to advocating for and strengthening the regional arts sector in the Sacramento area.
