Open Forum

Final scene, "Nativity," An Angel's Story, Dec. 2016

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 Sheryl Davis, a Language Arts and Drama Teacher at Lee Christian School in Sanford, North Carolina. Sheryl just chartered Thespian Troupe 8338 there this past fall, but is no stranger to teaching or theatre.  

Ginny: What kind of training/education did it take to get you to the job you have today?

Sheryl: I have a BS in psychology and a M.Ed in Secondary Education

Ginny: Why do you believe theatre is important?

Sheryl: Theater involves all of the academic disciplines in one package. In addition, it teaches self-awareness, poise, diction, and observation skills. We bring ancient literature and history to life with Shakespeare, Sophocles, and Arthur Miller. We explore math and science hands-on when designing lighting, sound, and set. But, most importantly, we allow young people to discover who they are and how they fit in their world when we ask them to take on the life and skills of someone else.

Ginny: What is your greatest challenge currently?

Sheryl: Antiquated stage equipment and sharing the stage space with sports and other school activities (our stage is in the gym).

Sword battle between Gabriel and Satan as Gabriel arrives to deliver the message to Mary.

Ginny: What does a typical day look like for you?

Sheryl: 11 honors British Lit., 12 CP World Lit, 9 honors Christian Lit, Advanced drama and tech theater (I have two sweet girls who couldn’t take drama during the normal period.), 10 honors British Lit, planning and Drama II (Wed. and Thurs. I have middle schoolers as well in a beginning drama class.)

Ginny: Have you found a way to achieve a good work/life balance? If so, share your tips!

Sheryl: Don’t say yes to everything you are asked to do and guard your off times (when the show wraps until the next rehearsals begin) jealously.

Ginny: What is your favorite musical (or play)? What makes it so special?

Sheryl: Othello. It was my first Shakespearean play and I fell in LOVE with him.

Ginny: What was the first play you ever saw?

Sheryl: The Grapes of Wrath, maybe.

Ginny: What was the most difficult element of a production you’ve ever had to manage?

Sheryl: Dropping a net on the characters accurately in our last show, An Angel’s Story.

Ginny: What is unique about your theatre program?

Sheryl: We have members from 6th to 12th grade and incorporate a message into every show we do. Also, we’ve pretty much broken every theater superstition at this point. 

Ginny: Tell us about the moment that made you decide to get involved in theatre.

Sheryl: I have always loved performing, but gave it up after high school to enter the “real” world (Why? I’ll never know). I assisted the previous drama director when the student who was to play the mock turtle dropped out of Alice in Wonderland. The next year, the director needed assistance and asked me to take over. I had 1 month to stage Aladdin, rehearsals, set, costumes, blocking and lines. It was EXHAUSTING and SOOOOO much fun!

Backstage before the final show, An Angel's Story, Dec. 2016

Ginny: What show would you love to produce?

Sheryl: The Importance of Being Ernest by Oscar Wilde.

Ginny: Name something on your bucket list.

Sheryl: Travel to London.

Ginny: How do you relax after a busy day?

Sheryl: Copious amounts of reading.

Ginny: What is your proudest accomplishment?

Sheryl: My personal children, who are theater people too ;-)

Ginny: What is something we would be surprised to learn about you?

Sheryl: My show choir opened and closed the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with America Sings in 1995.

Ginny: What is your favorite part of the day?

Sheryl: When everyone is gone, and my classroom is silent.

Ginny: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

Sheryl: Scotland. The accent. Obviously! (And David Tennant).

Sheryl’s well-rounded education and passion for theatre is certain to ensure her students’ future success. If you enjoyed Sheryl’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.