Teaching Evalutions

“Saffron has brought a much needed new energy into this department. She has the skills and teaching capability to make us all not only pay attention and learn, but to break out of our shells, experiment, and work hard to become better at our skills and our passions. Saffron has been an incredible instructor and I can’t wait to work with her more in the future.” – CSU Student, Fall 2019

“I think Saffron challenged us a lot during this course, but she cut us some necessary slack when we all were struggling. We are in crazy times right now, and I think Saffron recognized when world events were especially weighing on us all and helped us out so we could still succeed in the course.” – Colorado State University Student, 2020

 “She wanted us to be the best version of ourselves that we could be and pushed us to be that and we become better actors then what we were before the class.” – Fall 2019

"She included herself in the circle, as one of them, obviously comfortable with the role of a facilitator."
"I just love Saffron! She has been the best acting professor I have ever had and I think i took huge steps in making myself a better actor for the future... She has made me feel like I have a lot more talent than I thought I had!"
CSU Student, 2020
“It is clear that Professor Henke has a carefully considered vision for theatre pedagogy. Her approach to introducing the freshman cohort of theatre majors to acting emphasized the importance of building a foundation of acceptance and trust, which allowed her students to explore their own feelings in a safe environment. Everything about her interactions with the class reinforced the environment that was her design for the class. She included herself in the circle, as one of them, obviously comfortable with the role of a facilitator. Her assignments in the 131 class lead to cathartic experiences that were validating for the beginning actors, as they acknowledged and affirmed their own stories which were shared with their peers. Rather than initially teachings specific skills, her first priority in this class was to create an environment in which personal exploration, and respect for their own emotions and those of their peers would be established. It was clear during the span of my observations that these goals were being met which allowed the students to become more free and vulnerable in performance."
- Peer Review of Teaching, Miami University

"Saffron really has a way with teaching that I haven't seen elsewhere."​

“This course reignited my passion for musical theatre. Saffron really has a way with teaching that I haven't seen elsewhere. She could make a research project exciting. More than anything, I was challenged in this course and she gave me the structure and guidance I needed to succeed. Saffron was always a pleasure to work with and I never left a class without having learned something new. This was one of my favorite classes I have taken at Miami and I think a lot of that has to do with the environment Saffron creates in her classes. I think every young actor should get the chance to work with someone like her.”
 - Miami University student,  Fall 2015
“Professor Henke is by far the best acting professor I have ever taken with. Not only is she extremely talented and expressive but she is also dedicated and hardworking. I absolutely think I have become a better actress because of her (and it wasn't easy). She has pushed us to be the best we can be and given us assignments to help us outside the classroom when preparing for a monologue, scene, etc. She has created an inclusive, friendly, supportive environment making students feel comfortable and ready to work. She doesn't direct us, she gives us ideas to try and make us think of new ways to improve our acting skills. Because she doesn't just direct us to change something, it gives us freedom to change and try new things until we can figure it out ourselves with her guidance.”
– Miami  University Student, Spring 2015

"I trust her and I respect her, and I think she has a lot to offer as an instructor."

"Your class was one of my favorites in school, hands down." 
- Sarah Laine Milner, USC student

"This class really gave me a chance to apply some things that I haven't worked on in years and let me do it with a new twist. Saffron...is the best teacher I've had since I got to college." 
- University of Washington student

"This was a great course. Strengths were all the different physical, emotional, mental exercises we've done. We got very involved and learned a lot. Saffron was a great instructor with personal experience. She knew what she was talking about and got everyone involved." 
- Cornell College student

"Saffron made me feel passionate about acting. I trust her and I respect her, and I think she has a lot to offer as an instructor. This has been the class that has had the greatest effect on me." 
- Cornell College student

"Saffron is not a only a wonderful actor and teacher, she has a brilliant way of doing both at the same time."
 -Christina Elmore, former student, Harvard graduate
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