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 Jeff Davis, Theatre Arts/Humanities Teacher and Troupe Director for Troupe 7146 at East Brunswick High School in East Brunswick, New Jersey. On top of leading a high school theatre program, Jeff also acts and has even started his own community theatre group, Chimera Productions, so he excels in providing advice beyond the classroom walls.
Ginny: Why do you believe theatre is important?
Jeff: I tell my students, "To Art is Human." Since human beings began, we have created art, it is an integral part of what makes us human. Theatre is one aspect of this native (biological?) urge to create. If it is done well, it is transformative for both audience and actor. While I love films, there is something so special about the live theatre and the audience/actor relationship. There is a power that goes far beyond what you get from film.
Ginny: What is the most important advice you can offer to brand new teachers?
Jeff: For a theatre teacher, it would be to join EDTA and whatever state associations you can. You are most likely going to the only person doing what you are doing in your school, maybe even your district. It can be very lonely being the theatre teacher, so find some people you can actually talk shop with. Community is important.
Be gentle with yourself as well. It takes years to get to the point where you are actually "good" at teaching, and a lifetime to master - it's like acting in that way. Be humble and approach it like acting - you are always growing, and growing is the point.
Mix things up from time to time. Teaching is an art, and like all art, it cannot be made from safety. I always tell my students that if you feel safe in your performance, it isn't art. It might be entertainment, but it isn't art. Art requires taking chances - so does teaching.
Advocate for your program and for the arts. There are a lot of ways to do this, but personally, I think the best way is to produce work that your community can be proud of. Be an advocate for your fellow art teachers as well - maybe they will do the same for you, but either way, we all sink or swim together.
The best teaching happens in that sweet spot (the one that is so hard to find), where you have presented your students with a challenge beyond what they are currently capable of, but that they can grow to achieve. The scariest moments of my teaching life have been those times when I think I might have put the goalposts too far and they will never get there before opening. Luckily (so far), they have always made it in the end. Work to develop your sense of where that sweet spot is, and try to always operate there.
The truest thing I have heard about teaching was from the Arts Supervisor who hired me at the job I currently have (twelve years ago). He said, "Kids don't take classes, they take teachers." Be the teacher they want to take. That doesn't mean be their best buddy, but treat every single one of them with love and respect. Be the adult they know cares. Be passionate about your art and share that passion with them.
Ginny: What is your greatest challenge currently?
Jeff: Picking the season is always the challenge. I try to find shows that offer a lot of opportunities for a large number of students and also stretch them. Right now I have a dearth of males. In high school theatre, you always have more females than males, but right now we are running on fumes guys-wise. So picking the shows is even harder. There are a lot of shows that would stretch my female students, but would be out of reach for my male students. I get creative with casting girls in male roles etc., but there is only so far you can go. I think I did well this past year, Midsummer and Little Women, and for next year I have The Odyssey and Peter Pan planned, but I am really hoping we can entice more guys in after that, or I don't know what I am going to do.
Ginny: What was the most difficult element of a production you’ve ever had to manage?
Jeff: Zombie Prom almost killed me. Literally. I did it to myself, I decided to do the whole thing like a Lichtenstein piece. Make-up, hair, but also set. I had this concept of comic book frames. All white with a black edge around the opening. "Simple," I thought… turns out that "simple" is the hardest thing to do in theatre. Every tiny mistake shows, so you have to be "simple" AND perfect... which is tough for teenagers. But I also had the brilliant idea of extending the concept to the whole stage! "Hey, let’s attach a comic book panel frame to the proscenium arch!” Here's a word of advice: never do that! Ever! One day, I find myself in the basket of the lift, raising up a set of 4'x30' painted panels to frame the top of the proscenium, kids helping to lift by pulling on ropes... as I get higher and higher, I can feel that the lift wants to tip forward from the weight of the panels resting on the basket. I'm just looking out, trying to figure out how I might possibly survive if it goes over. I fortunately survived, but that was one of the scariest moments of my life, and I did it to myself.
Ginny: Name something on your bucket list.
Jeff: I think I would like to hang-glide. I think that looks like a wonderfully strange mix of scary, peaceful and fun.
Ginny: If you could have a different career, what would you choose?
Jeff: I guess I would want to be a working actor? I used to think that was all I wanted to be, but I found out that I was wrong, my dream job is the one I have. If I couldn't teach theatre, I would want to be a professional (working) actor, but really, that's my back-up plan. ;)
Ginny: How do you relax after a busy day?
Jeff: I like to cook. I love it when I cook something new and it comes out delicious. Then I go for a walk, and then watch some (hopefully) good TV and pet the cat. That's a pretty much perfect end to a day for me. That said, usually during play season, I pick up dinner on the way home from Wawa, get home, scarf it down, then- if I'm lucky and got home sometime before 8:00 - have time to watch one show and then it's to bed so I can get up at 5:42 the next day and do it all again. I call it living the good life, and wouldn't have it any other way.
One of the things I admire the most about Jeff is his ability to own and overcome his weaknesses. The honesty he demonstrates, paired with his key advice and enthusiasm, makes him a great resource for other Community members. If you enjoyed Jeff’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.