Bio
Mr. John Perovich, Head of School
Teacher - Creative Writing Workshop
B.A. Communications: Radio/Television/Film - Rowan University
M.A. Educational Theatre - New York University
M.F.A. Theatre: Dramatic Writing - Arizona State University
Mr. John Perovich has over 15 years of experience in education, encompassing various administrative roles and teaching positions. As the Head of School at Metropolitan Arts Institute, he combines his deep-rooted commitment to academic excellence and the transformative power of the arts to cultivate a meaningful and exceptional learning environment for students.
In undergraduate studies at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ, Mr. John studied communications, with a specialization in radio, television, and film. Mr. John quickly developed a love for storytelling and spent a great deal of his college years writing screenplays and editing films. When he wasn’t in the film school, Mr. John was auditioning and performing in the college’s theatre productions while he minored in theatre performance. Through his work in the theatre department, Mr. John took a great interest in playwriting.
After graduating from Rowan in 2004, Mr. John was accepted into graduate school for Educational Theatre at New York University. While at NYU, Mr. John studied pedagogy, playwriting, acting, directing, and dramaturgy. In addition to being a graduate student, Mr. John also worked as a teaching artist in New York City, instructing students K-5 in performance and new work development in after school programs.
After earning his Master’s degree, Mr. John began working in student affairs as an administrator at Stockton University, engaging in educational programs, academic partnerships, special events, health/wellness, budgeting, safety, and emergency preparedness for residential life. Mr. John was also an instructor in the University's arts and humanities department, teaching acting, playwriting, and theater history courses.
In 2013, Mr. John was accepted on a full scholarship to Arizona State University to pursue his Master of Fine Arts degree in Dramatic Writing. While completing his degree, Mr. John also instructed courses in playwriting and screenwriting while serving as a teaching assistant for courses in storytelling, film production, film theory, and Shakespeare.
Mr. John graduated with his MFA in 2016 and began his first year of teaching at Metropolitan Arts Institute as the theatre and film instructor and Department Head of Performing Arts. In addition to instructing classes and directing theatre productions, Mr. John created the New Works Festival, an annual show that features short plays written, directed, designed, and performed by Metro students.
In 2020, Mr. John transitioned to Director of Admissions for Metropolitan Arts Institute, overseeing the application and enrollment process. In 2022, Mr. John became the Head of School, overseeing all operations of Metropolitan Arts Institute.
In addition to his role as Head of School, he co-teaches the Creative Writing Workshop at Metro Arts with Ms. Howard, a specialized arts elective designed for 10th through 12th grade students. This workshop places a heavy emphasis on writing across a multitude of styles, including narrative fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, lyric/songwriting, and dramatic writing. By doing so, Mr. John ensures that students are not only exposed to the literary arts, but also actively engaged in them, fostering their creative talents and honing their writing skills.
Mr. John firmly believes that an arts-based education is a catalyst for the development of critical thinking skills and the cultivation of thoughtfulness and empathy in students. He is deeply committed to shaping the future of his students, preparing them to become not just knowledgeable adults, but also compassionate individuals and engaged citizens who appreciate the power of creativity in both their personal and academic lives.
