Open Forum

 View Only

Community Spotlight: John Perry

By Ginny Butsch posted 07-29-2015 09:17

  

 

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 John Perry, an EdTA professional member and theatre teacher at Atherton High School in Louisville, Kentucky. John’s been an active member of the Community since the beginning, regularly consulting and advising his colleagues on a wide range of topics. His practical advice and thoughtful questions have undoubtedly helped to make the Community an essential resource.

Ginny: What is your greatest challenge?

John: My greatest challenge is keeping up with my students. Every day, students pour into my classroom wanting work that will keep them interested and move them to a higher skill level

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

John: Up at 4:30 am, to school by 6:30 am, classes start at 7:30, 6 classes, 20 minute lunch, after-school rehearsal until 5:00 pm, maybe the gym for 2 hours, to bed (I hope) by 9 or 9:30 pm. Somewhere in there are meals, planning, and time with my husband!

Ginny: Do you have any tips for new theatre teachers?

John: Take as many workshops, classes, master-classes that you can. You never know when you will find something that will spark your interest and your students’ interest.

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

John: Sunday in the Park with George. It shows an artist creating and the problems with personal creativity.

Ginny: What was the first role you ever played?

John: Chorus member in My Fair Lady, Maysville Players, Maysville, Kentucky.

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

John: When I heard Dorothy Louden sing “50%” on the Tony Awards.

Ginny: What is unique about your program?

John: Our school has more theatre students than any other school in our system, including the performing art school. I try to give the students the knowledge to make intelligent decisions. I also try to give the students more ownership of our productions by giving them the power to make choices that are actually seen onstage.

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

John: Parents.

Ginny: Name something on your bucket list.

John: I don’t believe in a bucket list. What happens when you do everything on your list? Do you die then? Life is my list, I’ll keep doing until it’s over.

Ginny: What will you miss the most after retiring?

John: The kids, the schedule, talking with other teachers about plays, theatre, art.

Ginny: Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of theatre?

John: I love to travel to Europe.

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

John: I grew up on a farm in western Kentucky, grew tobacco, never saw a play until I was in college.

Ginny: What is your favorite part of the day?

John: Right after a great rehearsal and the kids have left and I feel like we really accomplished a lot.

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

John: A 100 acre farm one hour from Broadway. 

Ginny: What toy do you most remember from your childhood?

John: My Roy Rogers holster set. Yes, I’m that old! I saw Roy Rogers in person. And Trigger was with him.

From a tobacco farm to the largest city in the Bluegrass State and travels around Europe, it’s clear that John has a wide range of experiences to help inspire and drive his theatrical endeavors. If you enjoyed John’s interview as much as I did, add him 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.

0 comments
38 views

Permalink