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 Amy
Learn, troupe director of Troupe 2192 at Oakville Senior High School in St.
Louis, Missouri. Amy always has excellent ideas to put to use in the classroom
and on the stage. Her regular contributions over the past two years have even
earned her a silver contributor ribbon in our Community.
Ginny: What was the first play you ever saw?
Amy: Porgy and Bess. I was a sophomore in
high school and attended with my choir and drama teachers. It was absolutely
magical!
Ginny: Tell us about the moment that made you
decide to get involved in theatre.
Amy: I was a
choir kid in high school so I was involved in the musicals, and although I took
acting classes, I never participated in any of the plays. My first ten years in
education were as a choir director and a bit of dabbling as a choreographer. That
led to some local show choir and musical jobs, which led to an invitation to
direct. When it came time to continue the education journey by way of the
Master’s program, it was a natural step to pursue theatre.
Ginny: Everyone has at least one good theatre
story (a costume mishap, smoke alarms during performances, malfunctioning set
pieces, etc). Tell us yours!
Amy: So many
choices – but probably it was a production of Kiss Me Kate. During a performance, a crew member brought me a note
that another crew member had left in the Green Room, indicating self-harm. The
student was nowhere to be found, so I contacted the police. As I was leading
the officers to the theatre, I was met by a parent, who frantically told me
that one of the Gangsters was throwing up outside and could not return to the
stage. It was a bit surreal to be backstage suiting up the Stage Manager with
both a costume and a pep talk to take the stage while also being interviewed by
the police, who had officers searching the theatre and school building for our
missing student. The Show Must Go On! …and All’s Well that Ends Well – the
student was fine and the SM was a hit!
Ginny: What was the first role you ever
played?
Amy: Marian the
Librarian. My favorite memory from that show was when Harold Hill jumped up on
the circulation desk to distract the Librarian while the kids made a mess in
the Library. In his crisp, white pants, he plopped himself right on top of the
open stamp pad. Somehow we managed to stay in character and finish the big
dance number without missing a beat.
I also had a life defining moment
during that show. At intermission on opening night, my director hugged me and
said, “Not only can she sing and dance… she can act!” I can still hear his
voice in my ear and it reminds me regularly of the tremendous power we have as
educators to empower our kiddos!
Ginny: If you could have a different career,
what would you choose?
Amy: I often
say I already have a really good gig. But it would be fun to be a cake
decorator or a service dog trainer or a life coach. Hmmm… seems those are riffs
on teaching a creative art form, it’s in my blood.
Ginny: What is your favorite part of the day?
Amy: The part
that involves a cup of coffee.
Ginny: If you could live anywhere in the
world, where would you go and why?
Amy: Any place
near the ocean. It’s hard to put into words, but I find the water both calming
and energizing at the same time. Hearing the surf and smelling the salt air,
well, that’s my happy place.
It’s wonderful to hear Amy’s warm memories from her own
involvement in theatre and how important it is to her to create those same
kinds of stories for her students. If you enjoyed Amy’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.