Thed Talks

This week Jimmy talks with junior theatre education major Maria Beilke.  She talks about her experiences at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, imposter syndrome and burnout, and her passion for educational theatre.

This week Jimmy talks with Illinois theatre teacher David Morrison.  He talks about his work in professional theatre including the Moscow Art Theatre, imposter syndrome, and building a theatre program.

This week Jimmy talks with Arizona theatre teacher Matt Erickson.  He talks about working with individuals with special needs, adaptive theatre, and his passion for creating a space for kids to play and create without fear of failure!

This week Jimmy talks with New Jersey based teaching artist Michele Traina.  She talks about her professional work in TYA and her time in the classroom, her exceptional learner oriented theatre company Prop Box Players, and her work in stand up that led to her one woman show Divorce Diaries!https://propboxplayers.wordpress.com/

This week Jimmy talks with Illinois theatre teacher Chris Heckman! She talks about her years of professional work as an actor and a higher ed teacher and her transition to secondary theatre, technology in the theatre classroom, and theatre for social change!

This week Jimmy talks with Junior Theatre Education major Jake Noble. Jake attends Ball State University. In this episode we talk about the impact of a theatre teacher, creating a space for all students, and learning to teach theatre and direct online.

This week Jimmy talks with Colorado theatre teacher, Michael Berquist.  he talks about splitting time between Middle and High School, being a second year teacher in the middle of a pandemic, and working with diverse learners and the importance of representation.

This week Jimmy talks with Illinois theatre teacher Britnee Kenyon!  In this episode she talks about her work with her students using Verbatim theatre, how her work in arts management has helped her, and the need for relationships outside our classrooms!

This week Jimmy talks with Florida theatre professor, Elena Garcia.  She talks about her background in improvisation, being a woman of color in theatre, and her one woman show!

This week Jimmy talks with co-artistic director of Shakespeare on The Deck, Mikey Mulhearn.  He talks about his experiences as a teacher/artist/director of Shakespeare, decolonization of the Bard, and practical tips to incorporate Shakespeare into your classes!www.shakesonthedeck.com

This week Jimmy talks with Louisville, Kentucky based teaching artist Paula Lockhart! She talks about her experiences touring theatre for young audiences shows, the importance of representation in our work, her work as a writer, and being an artist while fat!

This week Jimmy talks with Texas Jr. High and High School teacher Jacque Collom.  She speaks about her creative technical theatre on a budget, building relationships with students, and rehabilitating neglected theatre programs.  Check out Jacque's blog and Etsy store!http://www.backstagedreamer.com

This week Jimmy talks with South Carolina theatre teacher Erin Gill. She talks about being a working mother, teacher leadership, and working with students from different backgrounds than your own.

This week Jimmy talks with Florida Gulf Coast University's technical director, Anne Carncross.  She talks about the empowering women through technical theatre, working professionally with her students, and presenting at conferences with her students!

This week Jimmy talks with former students and theatre teachers Jonathan Hoskins and Jonathon Long! They talk about the importance of theatre in regards to social skills, the family-like role of theatre, and creating new ways to create art in an online world. Check out their streaming series and podcast, Stage to Stream!

This week Jimmy talks with Colorado teacher Shannon Doering.  She talks about her work teaching theatre as an English teacher, teaching Shakespeare, wellness and burnout, and teaching during a pandemic.

This week Jimmy talks with Illinois theatre teacher Steph Svarz.  She talks about theatre as a communal practice, radio plays, exceptional learners and theatre, and her own podcast, Get Lit!

This week Jimmy talks with his colleague at Illinois State University, Dr. Michael J Vetere III. He talks about the need for creative play, his work with puppets, and his research in arts integration!

This week Jimmy talks with Illinois power theatre teacher couple Katie Apperson and Tom Skobel. They talk about their masters work at Roosevelt University, the impact of theatre teachers, Katie's podcast, and surviving and thriving in a home with two theatre teachers!

This week Jimmy talks with Dr. Cyndee Brown.  She talks about her long career in theatre education, transitioning from high school to university teaching, the hope of the future of theatre education, and the challenges of taking over a high school program from another director/teacher.