My History with Theatre

[dleighb]

When I was in 8th grade, I was not a popular kid in my middle school. Not particularly pretty. Not particularly talented. Mr. Cox was my drama teacher and had been since 6th grade. I had participated in a few speech competitions and was in the chorus in one of the annual musicals. I was hit or miss when performing, but I gave it my all because I

Comments

[txreisende]

What on earth happened? Did the idiot dismiss your letter entirely because you were from a ren faire and couldn't possibly understand what Real Theatre was about? Do you happen to have his home address? Make and model of his vehicle?

[thran_mysty]

"response the student received" ? did he say something to said student? I've been dying to do a reenactment of a Shakespearean death scene...could use someone to practice on. I have my sharp pointy!

Bleh, on a less violent note: People make me mad. So, so very mad. You don't help someone to excel with negativity. Teachers should know better. They're TAUGHT that in college. I know, I wanted to be a teacher at one point. Blah.

I dare that "teacher" to do one weekend of what his student does and not leave bewildered and weeping from the knowledge that he'll probably never be that awesome.

[dleighb]

My understanding is that the teacher brought up my letter with the student in front of the entire class. Really? Why would a teacher go there?

[damesirwamba]

I refer you to the wisdom of the ages:

"When we grew up and went to school,
There were certain teachers who would
Hurt the children in any way they could;
By pouring their derision
Upon anything we did
And exposing every weakness,
However carefully hidden by the kids."

Some adults have the title in age only.

[damesirwamba]

I think we all have similar stories. I know you used your own tale as an intro to the topic near and dear to you. I just wanted to say, I grok. I spent much of my adolescence being told I would never amount to anything. I started to believe it. I'm not sure I don't still believe it on some levels.

SAPA has helped me in so many ways...oh so many.

[thebb73]

I will e-mail you since I know that you are too good of a person to post personal details publically. I would, however, like to say this; the pperson who is behaving so aboninably in front of the next generation is not a teacher. I have taught theatre in four schools, three cities, and two countries. Not to mention after school workshops and additional coaching I have given. EVERY curriculum I have worked with has included a unit on self-confidence. Theatriacl studies have essentially four elements 1) to learn the history and background of theatre 2)to learn and practice performance and production techniques 3)to become a more knowledgable and appeciative audience member and 4) to build confidence and team work. Any person not capable of imparting these four elements should perhaps not be in the educational aspects of our field.

Those who can do. Those who excell teach.