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 Helen Dixon, troupe director of Troupe 3058 at Liberty High
School in Brentwood, California. Helen is always happy to provide advice on
play selection, theatre classroom work and requirements, and perhaps the most
popular Community topic: Shrek.
Ginny: Why do you believe
theatre is important?
Helen: There
are so many reasons but I think the most important is that, in one form or
another, it has always been the way we share our stories: what we believe, what
we have experienced, what we hope we will be. This year we produced The Arabian Nights in the fall and
we adapted the line, "We are all storytellers," from it as our annual
motto. Theatre is such a communal thing and it allows so many people to be a
part of the storytelling. That is why educational theatre is important.
There are so many ways for students to become engaged in the process and
I think they all understand the importance of what they do. You can use all of
the technology that you can afford and will help tell the story but, when you
come right down to it, it's a very primal thing.
Ginny: What is your
greatest challenge?
Helen: I'm
getting older and I don't bounce back as quickly as I used to so keeping up
with the hectic pace is getting harder as the years go on. However, every
year there are new shows and new students so helps me to keep a positive
attitude ... always something to which I can look forward.
Ginny: Favorite
musical (or play)? What makes it so special?
Helen: Les Miserables, hands down. The
story of strong conviction, self-forgiveness and redemption never tire for
me. My favorite song in the show is One Day More. The sense of
anticipation is so strong; even those who are expecting the worst are putting
it in the hands of God and hoping for the best.
Ginny: What inspired you to become a teacher?
Helen: Except for
a brief time in college, I can't remember ever wanting to do anything else. I
loved school and I always liked my teachers. I
remember distinctly being in the third grade and thinking that I
wanted to teach second grade. Then, as third grade drew to a close, I thought I
wanted to teach third. That pattern continued until I got to junior high
school. I had always liked social studies in elementary school but it wasn't
until I got into 7th grade that I realized that I could teach just one subject that
I loved and didn't have to teach things of which I wasn't as fond!! Big light
bulb moment. I went through high school convinced that I would be going
to college to become a social studies teacher.
Ginny: Tell us about the moment that made you decide to
get involved in theatre.
Helen: Hard to
say. Even as a kid my sister and friends and I would put on little plays that
were in some of the magazines that we got. When we got older, the family has a
season subscription to a local community theatre and a few times we even went
to see theatre in Chicago. There was something about it that I always loved,
telling or being told a story! I dabbled in the theatre program a little
in high school but never got heavily involved. The big ah-ha moment came
when I auditioned for The Crucible
my freshman year in college. After the first week of the run, I
felt that I had accomplished more than I had ever accomplished in my life to
that point. I had found a new skill. I had worked hard at something that didn't
feel like work because I enjoyed it so much. I just knew I had to somehow be
involved in it for the rest of my life. It was during that time that I wrestled
with whether I wanted to teach theatre or become an actor.
Ginny: Name something on your bucket list.
Helen: Someday I
really, really want to go back to Paris. I was in France for six weeks during
my junior year in high school. During that six weeks, I got to spend about a
day and a half in Paris. It was not enough time to really experience the
city.
Ginny: If you could have a different career, what would
you choose?
Helen: I would
definitely want to be an actor ... who maybe sometimes does some directing! I
miss the stage and I simply don't really have the time for it. I've gotten the
chance to play a few roles but they just add more work to what I am already
doing which is difficult. I would like to really give it some focus.
Ginny: Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of
theatre?
Helen: I love to
read, although I don't make myself enough time for it.
Ginny: What is your favorite part of the day?
Helen: Definitely
NOT morning! Between the end of the school day and the start of the
rehearsal, I have set up a convention of "quiet time" in my
classroom. If someone has something they want to talk to me about, that's
fine and kids can come in and do some homework but I won't let the room turn
into Grand Central Station. It allows me to de-compress a bit. When the Stage
Manager comes in to say, "We're finished with roll," and I walk out
to the auditorium to start rehearsal ... that's my favorite part of the day!
If I'm not working on a show, and I can go home, I take a nap! Also very
special!
A theatre
teacher’s life is often filled with sacrifices. They give up luxuries like free
time, personal hobbies, and even sleep in order to make sure their students
have every opportunity. Helen is a great example of the type of selflessness
and commitment required to make a school theatre program shine. If you enjoyed
Helen’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.