Open Forum

Jennifer: Theater connects us all as human beings in a deeply emotional and spiritual way.  The stage acts as a mirror reminding us of our own humanity. There is an indescribable thread that links us to each other at a live theater performance.

Jennifer: My greatest challenge as a theater educator is time. A famous director once said that
the ideal rehearsal time is one week more than you have. I think that can apply to class time as well. I am always looking for more opportunities to let the students “play” and explore the creative process, whether in class or in rehearsal. I am continually thinking of new ways to get them to engage and
invest while still being understanding and empathetic to the complicated and demanding teenage lives they are leading.

Jennifer: First, my husband and I get our own kids fed and off to school. I drive my older son to high school, which gets me to work a little before 8 AM. When I first arrive at school, I check email, answer email, send email, and take notes for the day’s schedule. During this time I am often visited by my advisees, students or cast members who want to tell me their latests triumphs and troubles, or by my Expressive Arts colleagues to discuss any random matter. I will then revisit any literature, notes, or information I need to wrap my brain around  my various classes for the day or finish any school business I was not able to take care of at home in the evening. Next comes morning meeting, our all-school assembly, which can last from 30-50 minutes. I usually have two back to back classes  around mid-day, followed by a  visit to our dining hall  to grab a quick bite. In the afternoon I have any number of meetings with advisees, departments, or individual colleagues to discuss strategies, curriculum, departmental ideas, etc. We are in the beginning of an accreditation process, so these can be numerous.  I will usually meet with a student or two for individual coaching sessions for the current show and/or college auditions. Next comes my 90 minute rehearsal (three days a week), or my four hour rehearsal (one day a week), winding up at 6 PM or so. I may also run out to meet with my costume designer at her shop or my lighting and set designer who comes in once a week to help build the set. Since we are a private boarding and day school, I also have many parenting roles as well.  These may include serving as organizer, driver, and chaperone  for the girls as they engage in their extra-curricular activities on evenings or weekends. Because the arts are highly valued at Miss Hall’s, my students often are invited to perform or demonstrate their work at some of the school’s special events (family weekends, trustee dinners and Board of Visitors, etc.). Production week, as we all know, is a different story. We do two full productions per year (one musical and on straight play), and I’m pleased to say that for each, Miss Hall’s allows us a full tech weekend -- Friday evening to Sunday evening -- and a week of  evening rehearsals before opening on Friday. Indeed, it’s a very full day in which I get to wear many hats -- how appropriate for a theater teacher!

Jennifer: Although I grew up with theater all around me, when I was a child I was extremely quiet, especially with adults.  The struggles I went through to overcome my insecurities and set loose the artist within me were key to learning how to teach with compassion, empathy and kindness. I was fortunate enough to have some wonderful teachers who combined the rigor and humanity that good acting teaching requires. Michael Howard was one of my favorites. I studied with Michael and took other classes at his studio over the course of three years, and his techniques and approach are ever present in my work. I also studied dance and movement from a very early age. I started to teach acting technique to teenagers in my early twenties. I didn't think I would have much to offer at first, but found my own way of teaching an eclectic blend of what had been passed down to me from some amazing teachers I had studied with privately in CT and NYC where I went to college. At a certain point, I realized that this combination of acting and movement background could provide a rich and highly creative approach to teaching young actors. Later, I became a faculty member at the yearly Governor’s Institute on the Arts in VT. This two-week intensive program brought together passionate, cross-generational, community-focused, arts lovers from all over the country to teach, learn, and experience the arts in a safe and exciting environment. The lines between teacher and student were often blurred in surprising ways. It was here that my love for teaching teenage students really blossomed. The unfettered passion and creativity that they bring to the classroom has been inspiring me ever since.

I have always been motivated to teach theater to the students who might get lost in the back row or those who stumble on theater as a way to truly express themselves. I like to think I help them gain a sense of confidence, a sense of themselves, while finding their own, unique voice in the world. It has never been about making them "actors," but if that happens, it's a great perk.

Jennifer: I haven't traveled nearly enough. I would love to go to Ireland, Scotland, and Spain (among many others) and go back to Italy. Also, I have never been on a cruise. I want the big, tacky, biggest water slide at sea, ice bar, and mall on the water tour!

I have always wanted to learn how to throw pots. The irony is we have a ceramics studio at school, but I just haven't found the time.

Jennifer: Take a course at The Celebration Barn Theater in South Paris, Maine! They offer all kinds of Variety Arts workshops. This is where I found my calling in Movement Theater. Everything I do is imbued/infused with the inspiration from this magical place. I first studied mime with Leland Faulkner and Tony Montanaro, then came back to take mask workshops and eventually go on tour with Lee as well as returning to the Barn to perform several times over the years. I am most happy and in tune with my students when I am able to teach them how to access theater through the physicality of character. In our second semester of Drama I, I teach my girls mime. They always amaze me with their imagination, passion, and full commitment to articulation and gesture. I find that when I am exploring the physical realm with my students, we share an endless energy and enthusiasm for playing and creating theater. The Barn was the place where I discovered and cultivated this passion for movement.

AND...Get involved and become a contributor in a theater community like EdTA! The networking, inspiring stories, and valuable information I receive from this organization took me off my "island" and back into a community of like-minded, talented, skilled, and awesome people. I found my tribe.

Jennifer: A glass of wine with my husband and some laughs with my boys. Our latest fun thing is to put on music and dance together. I love that!

Jennifer: My loving husband and two amazing sons!

Jennifer: I love to dance! I have a background in ballet, but am passionate about Afro-Caribbean dance. I try to take classes as much as possible. I am also a Zumba junkie. And I love to cook when I have time. 

Jennifer: I sometimes dance with a local Samba band. The coin bra/skirt, headdress, and everything. Also, I love to read books and will not allow myself to read for pleasure unless I have a long break from school. I cannot put a book down once I start reading and will not get anything else done. I will often read a book to the end even if it's not that great a read--I have to find out how things end!

Jennifer is incredibly devoted to her craft and obviously cares deeply for the growth and development of her students. The girls at Miss Hall’s are clearly in good hands. If you enjoyed Jennifer’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.