One of the main goals for our Theatre
Education Community is to help theatre students and professionals from all over
connect and identify with each other in order to build resources and support
the theatre education field. We shine a spotlight on a different member every
other week by conducting a simple interview.
Our latest Spotlight Member is Jessica
Harms. Jessica is a high school theatre teacher for Acton-Boxborough Regional High School in Acton, Massachusetts. Jessica
has been a long-time contributor to the Community, perhaps most well-known for
her thoughtfully written blogs on a variety of
theatre topics. If you haven’t taken the time to read them yet, I promise
you’ll be glad you did.
Ginny:
What is the weirdest stage food you’ve ever made or eaten?
Jessica: Not necessarily weird, but
unusual... In our current production, we have a glass of champagne that has to
turn black and scare the actor holding it.
Ginny:
What does a typical day look like for you?
Jessica: My day starts at 6:30 with
the alarm, and I am not a morning person! Why does high school have to start so
early?! I typically roll into school just in time for our second period, which
is my first class: Intro to Acting. Our class is forty-five minutes, then I have
prep periods in my office. My office is a place where students can hang out and
study. We have tons of fake pillar candles from our productions around the
office, and some lamps from the props closet to make a relaxing ambience. Most
days if you walk by, you’ll hear some show tunes (for the past month it’s been Hamilton). I teach two more classes,
then finish the day with rehearsal from 2:30-5:30, or maybe a meeting with our
student leadership board, who helps me run our theatre program.
Ginny:
Everyone has at least one good theatre story (a costume mishap, smoke alarms
during performances, malfunctioning set pieces, etc.), tell us yours!
Jessica: I directed an eighth grade
production of Guys and Dolls, where
the student playing Nathan Detroit was just over four feet tall, and the
student playing Big Jule was almost six feet tall. In one performance, Big Jule
grabbed Nathan’s shirt to lift him up and the button down shirt ripped off of
Nathan from under his jacket.
Ginny:
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Jessica: When I first thought about
this question, an answer quickly floated to the front. Last year, I conceived
the idea of producing a completely silent show - that the actors would only have
they physicality to tell their story. As a company, our high school created a
silent version of Treasure Island. But
when I really think about this question, the true answer has got to be a time I
helped others believe in their own self-worth.
Ginny:
What toy do you most remember from your childhood?
Jessica: If I wasn’t reading a “Nancy
Drew,” I was probably playing a board game. I’d play games with my Grandmother
and sisters every night over the summer, everything from Rummikub to Clue to
Coco Crazy. I’m still a game fan... Scrabble or Ticket to Ride anyone?
Ginny:
How do you relax after a busy day?
Jessica: I am a total foodie. I
love cooking (and eating!) with my husband and trying new things. We recently
learned how to cook ropa vieja, a great Cuban dish. I was so excited about it
that I shared it with my students in class, who all told me that it translates
to “old clothes.” Turns out it does, but for “old clothes” it sure is
tasty. But honestly, after a busy day, nothing is better than walking in
the front door to the happy, wagging tail of my puppy.
Jessica’s creativity and generous nature are certainly
treasured assets to the students at Acton-Boxborough Regional High
School
and the members of our Community. If you enjoyed Jessica’s interview as much as I did, add her
as a contact in the Community!
Do you know someone who
deserves a moment in the Spotlight? Tell me their name and why at gbutsch@schooltheatre.org. Want to read more
Community Spotlights? You
can find them here.
Photo of Ropa Vieja via Wikimedia Commons