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 Laurilea McDaniel, a Junior Thespian troupe director and theatre teacher at Mountain Ridge Middle School, Troupe 88933, in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Laurilea serves on the Colorado State Thespian Board and is a frequent presence at our national events. She’s been providing stellar advice to the Community since our beta testing days and recently helped us launch our new Middle School Theatre community.
Ginny: Laurilea, tell us a little about yourself.
Laurilea: I grew up in Bedford, Texas but had many opportunities to travel growing up. As a child, I was always interested in the arts and my parents gave me many opportunities to experience the arts through dance, music, drama and visual arts. I have loved the theatre from my first experience in New York as a young child. I also had a great admiration for the teaching field, as my mom was a school administrator for 26 years in Texas. I am very close to my family. I have a younger brother who lives in Peru and California and my parents live in Castle Rock, Colorado.
Ginny: What kind of training/education did you pursue in order to become a theatre teacher?
Laurilea: After graduating from L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, Texas, I attended Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas where I studied Journalism, Theatre and Education and was a member of the Aggie Players. I also obtained a teaching license and taught at Consolidated High School in College Station, Bryan High School and Campbell Middle School, all of which are in Texas. After receiving a master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction for Theatre, I moved to Tennessee to be closer to my parents and to manage the Rose Theatre. I have been privileged to study abroad in London at Richmond College, study with the Royal Shakespeare Company in England and most recently learn from professionals on Broadway in New York City at the Broadway Teacher’s Workshop. The highlight of this past summer was traveling to Ireland!
Ginny: What made you decide to teach theatre?
Laurilea: As much as I love the theatre, I love teaching theatre even more. During my time in Memphis, while managing The Rose, I realized my real passion was for teaching middle school students. I view myself much as a travel agent who provides opportunities for the students to have successful experiences in drama, as well as in life. Every year, I find myself learning new ways to help students find their passion in learning.
Ginny: What was the first play you ever saw?
Laurilea: The first show I ever saw was Cats on Broadway. Shortly after, I was Macavity for Halloween.
Ginny: Name something on your bucket list.
Laurilea: I would like to complete a PHD in Secondary Theatre Education, hopefully from the University of Northern Colorado!
Ginny: How do you relax after a busy day?
Laurilea: I usually go jogging or do yoga, I have a goal that I would like to run a ½ marathon in every state before I’m 75.
Ginny: What will you miss the most after retiring?
Laurilea: I will miss the connections I make with students on a daily basis.
Ginny: Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of theatre?
Laurilea: I love to ski! On weekends that we are not working on the set, costumes or choreography, you can find me at either Keystone or Breckenridge on the green and blue slopes! I love to travel, hike, kayak and see shows at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. I also have the privilege of leading the Front Range Theatre Company as their Executive Director here in Highlands Ranch!
Ginny: What is something we would be surprised to learn about you?
Laurilea: That I was painfully shy in high school and did not participate in theatre until I was 21. It ended up being my major after I decided that Journalism was not what I wanted to do with my life! It also took me three tries to get into Texas A&M University! Life lesson: Never ever, ever, ever give up on your dreams!
Ginny: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Laurilea: I would love to live in New York City.
Laurilea’s students are lucky to have a teacher who is not only committed to pursuing opportunities to expand their knowledge, but also her own. You can learn more about Laurilea and her theatre program at Mountain Ridge Middle School on their website, www.headstrongtheatre.com. If you enjoyed Laurilea’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.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons