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.