Halena has been an assistant professor of graduate directing and acting at Northwestern University since 2018. Previously she was an assistant professor of directing at Middle Tennessee State University and has been a visiting professor, lecturer, visiting artist, and, adjunct professor (see full academic CV for specifics) throughout her professional career.

Engaging in the exchange of knowledge with the new generation of artists and makers is her favorite thing. Areas of specialty/curiosity/research include physical theater, devising, clown, unique live performance collaboration, script analysis, new play development, improvisation, solo performance, magic, intimacy choreography, and decolonizing the curriculum.