Building a toolbox

An accomplished artist creates a toolbox of techniques they can access depending on their needs and artistic stage. Variety in training for an artist is essential, not to diminish focusing on one training method, but developing artists need to be exposed to many pedagogues and techniques so they can choose which one to explore more deeply within themselves based on what resonates with them. While it is essential to connect to our theatrical past to learn from and inspire the future, it is also important to recognize that many of the people traditionally studied are white and Eurocentric. To broaden perspectives, it is crucial to expose students to academics, experts, and pedagogues outside of their initial training so they can identify and incorporate various techniques into their artistic repertoire.

Having no apologies

My first movement teacher, Deborah Robertson, would have us exclaim at the end of every warm-up, "I am an actor, and I have no apologies. We are an ensemble, and we have no apologies!" Having no apologies is not a license given to the student to do whatever they want or be disrespectful in the classroom. Instead, it is a reminder that we are not perfect. Having no apologies provides the freedom to explore many facets of themselves, make mistakes, and bold choices. It allows students to work in rough draft and learn from the process. It is vital that students find confidence in themselves to make interesting artistic choices. It is important to teach them to be positive and constructive in the critique of their own work, for there is beauty in the fall. Creating a safe environment for exploration requires respect and trust from both the teacher and other students in the class.

Having no apologies also requires self-regulation and self-discipline. I believe in clear expectations and priority setting. It is crucial for students to transition from depending on their instructor for discipline to creating a practice of self-discipline. This shift empowers students to take ownership of their learning journey, fostering a sense of responsibility and autonomy. Having no apologies allows a space for personal responsibility. In both my classroom and rehearsal space, I establish systems that mirror a professional environment. For example, attendance is recorded through a sign-in sheet. This approach instills a culture of self-regulation and discipline, promoting habits essential for success in the professional world.

Connecting theatrical lessons to the outside world

As we mold the next generation of theatre creators, it is crucial to instill in them a desire to explore the world outside of the theatre's confines. To mirror the world on stage, we must first live in it. Providing the historical context of theatre within the broader timeline of world events is essential. Encouraging students to seek connections beyond the theatre community is equally vital. The most enriching experiences I've had as a teacher are not watching professional or artistic growth but witnessing how the theater changes lives outside of the art. Together and safely, they are able to break down barriers and walls that prevent them from experiencing all life has to offer. Theater training opens young people's hearts and minds to different lifestyles in addition to different parts of their own imaginations while giving them self-worthiness and confidence. Empathy is a verb in my classroom, an active choice used for the characters on the page and the other students in the room.

Find the joy

A disciplined and safe environment not only allows for the exploration of theatrical skills but also makes the journey enjoyable and fun. We create in our imagination, and imaginations must be exercised and kept vivid. In the professional world, individuals are drawn to collaborate with those who approach their work with a sense of joy. Theatre, for many, is a play of refuge and release, but we must distinguish the imaginary world from the real one.

I carry the trauma of my training, much of which was unnecessary. As an educator, I am committed to ensuring that my students do not inherit the same burdens or pain. Instead, I aim to create a learning space that nurtures their growth, encourages creativity and sensitivity, and fosters a positive and joyous atmosphere. In this space, even challenging topics and conversations become accessible.

So much of theatre training is repetitive, and while it is the work, students need to learn to find joy in the repetition so they are prepared to continue it after they leave the structure of a university. The stronger and happier students are, the more prepared they are to face the rejection ahead of them."