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 Raenell Smith, a Speech, Theatre and English teacher at
Whiteland Community High School in Whiteland, Indiana. Raenell regularly offers
creative solutions on everything from make-up hygiene to special effects. As a
one-person theatre program, there doesn’t seem to be an aspect of theatre she
hasn’t dabbled in.
Ginny: Why do you
believe theatre is important?
Raenell: I
believe theatre is important because great cultures and societies are created
and remembered because of their art. The arts are an integral part of how
humans learn and express themselves, and theatre is the ultimate field
integrating science, math, literature, visual aesthetics, writing, etc.
Learning about being human, teaching about difference, representing a little
known point of view, exploring one’s self are all an essential part of the
theatre. At its core, theatre teaches us to be better people and create greater
societies. Not to mention what a sad and boring place the world would be
without it.
Ginny: What is your
favorite musical (or play)? What makes it so special?
Raenell: Jesus Christ Superstar. I just
love the music and the spectacle. I enjoy the “twist” on a story everyone
knows—the humanity of it. The sonic and visual elements of it are such a
departure from the traditional presentation of that story. It requires
you to think while you sing along.
Ginny: What was the
first role you ever played?
Raenell: I was in
small parts prior, but my first major role was an evil step-sister in Cinderella in the 5th grade. I
have been wearing very thick glasses since a young age. I am not sure if
it was vanity or a directorial decision, but I performed without my glasses—not
a good choice! I can only see blobs and color just past a few inches from
my nose. I didn’t miss a line or an entrance, but I apparently made
hilarious faces, missed a step, broke a mannequin and of course missed an exit
by missing the exit.
Ginny: What inspired
you to become a teacher?
Raenell: I don’t
believe I was inspired to be a teacher. I believe I was called to
it. I did not go to college to be an educator. I actually protested
the idea a lot. I told everyone teachers were paid poorly and treated
worse (ha!), and I didn’t know why anyone wanted to do that. I went to
college to major in theatre. I had a life changing car accident my junior
year of college in which lots of things came into question and became clear.
About the same time, I was studying educational theatre in my coursework.
I realized, despite all my protesting, that I was called to teach. I
added the education major upon my release from the hospital and return to
school (which means I added time to my undergraduate degree too).
Ginny: If you could
have a different career, what would you choose?
Raenell: Although
not a “different” career, I would choose to be daring enough to work
professionally in the technical theatre travelling. The idea of putting
up a complete live show in a different venue every night is exhilarating to
me. The idea of sleeping in a different bed every night terrifies me.
Ginny: What is your
proudest accomplishment?
Raenell: That
current and former students think enough of me and my teaching to nominate me
for the Tony’s Excellence in Theatre Education. I am painfully humbled
and honored.
Ginny: What is
something we would be surprised to learn about you?
Raenell: I am a
homebody. This usually shocks people—especially my students. I am a
very outgoing person who is always busy, always on the go, always travelling or
going to a show, always working, etc., but I do love just being at home
cleaning the house, planting a garden, finishing a project. I like the silence
of living alone (and the freedom).
Ginny: What toy do
you most remember from your childhood?
Raenell: Weebles—the
small 1970s version. They were all the rage. For Christmas one
year, my very cool Aunt Pam bought me Weebles and their van and house. The
problem was, “Weebles wobble but they don’t fall down.” Which means, they
don’t lay down either in their little Weeble beds and Weeble dog doesn’t stand
on four feet… this made it very hard to create elaborate lives and stories for
them. I HATED them with a passion. I was caught one day on the enclosed
back porch trying to use a hammer to destroy the Weebles. Problem was, I
would hit a Weeble and his round bottom would cause him to skitter across the
porch and escape his ultimate doom. Then the hammer would thud hard on the concrete
and take up the paint. The Weebles left the house that day and never
returned. I remember them well, because I was in lots of trouble and
because of the passionate way I disliked them.
Between learning of
Raenell’s “blind” performance in Cinderella and her attempt to smash Weebles, I don’t know that I have ever
laughed so hard during a Spotlight. It’s
essential that theatre teachers possess a sense of humor and an ability to roll
with the punches, Raenell has obviously nailed both of these key traits. If you enjoyed her 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
via Etsy