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 Tiffany Joy May, a Thespian at Spanish Springs High School
in Sparks, Nevada. She’s a born leader, serving as president of Troupe 6737 and
on the Nevada State Thespian Board. I asked Tiffany to answer a few questions
so we could learn more about one of our student members.
Photograph
via Nevada Landmarks.
Ginny: What is your favorite
theatre/ improv game?
Tiffany: My favorite theatre/ improv game
is "Turn the Page." Four people portray the story that another
person narrates. The narrator tells a story and each time he stops and
says, "turn the page," the four actors create a picture and freeze.
The picture represents what the narrator says.
Ginny: Do you have a
funny theatre story?
Tiffany: A special moment in theatre
was during my freshmen year. Our spring musical was Legally Blonde. During "Chip on my Shoulder," the
techies had to move Elle's dorm room down stage and there was supposed to be a
text book underneath Elle's bed that she "found" and gave to
Emmett. Well, that scene change was a little hectic and the text book
didn't make it on stage, so Elle was searching around the stage for the text
book that wasn't there. My best friend, who is now our stage manager,
came in and was so frustrated that she slid the book on stage (so there was a
random text book that came in from nowhere), so Elle could continue the
scene. That will always be one of my favorite moments in theatre.
Ginny: What production do you
dream of being part of?
Tiffany: My dream show would have to
be Catch Me If You Can. The
music is so much fun, the story is great, and the musical would be just an all
around fun time. Then again, most musicals are a fun time!
Ginny: Where do you see
yourself in ten years?
Tiffany: In ten years, I hope to see
myself starting to work as a high school drama teacher. I want to help
kids channel their inner Thespian. I want to provide kids with the
amazing sanctuary that is theatre. I would teach at my school and assist
(if I was able to) with my state’s Thespian society.
Ginny: What is your favorite
part of the day?
Tiffany: My favorite part of the day
is the very beginning of rehearsal. We have just gotten out of school, the day
is over, now we can have fun. We haven't yet started working on scenes
for our productions, so we are still milling around and just enjoying each
other's company. This is the time I get to see all my friends and start
getting excited to continue working on our production for the rest of the day.
Ginny: What is your proudest
accomplishment?
Tiffany: My proudest accomplishment was
when I was announced for my state’s Thespian Board. This had been a goal
of mine for four years. This was a goal that I also thought that I was
never going to be able to accomplish. The school that I was zoned for
didn't have a troupe, and my parents wouldn't let me attend the school that I
wanted to attend. Luckily, they changed their mind once they saw how much
theatre meant to me. The moment I realized I was going to my dream school,
STO became a possibility. I didn’t expect I would be able to run until I
was a Junior, going into my Senior year, but my Sophomore year, a spot
opened, giving me a chance. It was a dream come true. The moment my name
was called, I realized all the work that I had put in to get there paid
off. It was a truly amazing moment.
Tiffany is very
active in our Student to Student community, a public
group where enthusiastic theatre students can chat with their own kind. She’s
even earned the bronze Most Valuable Member ribbon on her profile! We can’t
wait to see what kind of wonderful work she’ll accomplish as a theatre teacher!
If you enjoyed Tiffany’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.