Before we are anything else, we are humans and on that level each of us is the same. I believe strongly that every person deserves the same respect and dignity as the next person in life and in the classroom. My experience has taught me that everyone needs some kind of support. Building special support into the framework of learning creates the strongest learning environment.
In my classroom, technical skills and cultural understanding develop hand in hand. We won’t be gossiping about our love life in our work time, we will be discussing where Hamlet needed Prozac or just to get laid. Learning happens in layers – I don’t know how to separate the how from the why and why would you want to? Weaving together a tapestry of the big picture of what was going on politically at the time a play was written can give us insight not only valuable to know but a delight to discover.
I’ve developed a framework of understanding skill progression that makes complex learning more approachable. We think of it like a video game. Every new skill is leveling up, building on a foundation of skills to unlock new abilities. This approach naturally accommodates different learning paces while keeping forward momentum. We focus on character rather than the actor. It creates a professional distance that allows for objective discussion without personal judgment. I think of it like a roleplaying game – the clothing we create is the character’s skin, not a reflection on the person wearing it, which can be a valuable lesson for young professionals.
My teaching style adapts between technical and creative modes as needed, but always maintains the core principle that learning requires willingness to be changed by your experience. I create an environment where making mistakes is part of the process. Sometimes students just need a little push in the right direction to try something they thought was too hard. I’m there to hold the other end of the measuring tape – literally or figuratively – until they develop confidence in their abilities. But I’m not afraid to kick one out of the proverbial nest either.
In today’s rapidly evolving world, I believe we must embrace both traditional techniques and emerging technologies like AI. There’s room for both hand-stitching and digital design in theatre, and we shouldn’t prejudge the tools our students choose to create with. What matters is teaching them how to learn, adapt, and grow in whatever direction their creativity takes them.
