Open Forum

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 Mark A. Zimmerman, the theatre director and troupe director at Akron School for the Arts in Akron, Ohio, home to Thespian troupe 5570. Under Mark’s leadership, Akron won the Educational Theatre Association’s Outstanding School Award in 2013 and regularly attends our Thespian Festival. He has earned a silver level most valuable member ribbon for the practical advice and insight he consistently shares with fellow Community members.

Ginny: What kind of training/education did it take to get you to the job you have today?

Mark: I took a master’s degree in theatre (acting and directing) and my teaching credentials at the University of Akron. My bachelor’s degree is in another field but I was blessed to work in the community theatre with well-trained, experienced theatre artists who taught me more than any college program would have. They made me the theatre artist I am today and I have no way to repay them except to continue to pay it forward.

Ginny: Why do you believe theatre is important?

Mark: I have always thought of theatre as the chronicle of our times. If you want to know the history of any culture, study its theatre.

 Ginny: What inspired you to become a teacher?

Mark: I think in some way I have always been a teacher, although I often remind my students that I was kicked out of the Future Teachers Club in high school.

Ginny: What advice do you have for new theatre teachers?

Mark: Take it easy: don’t try to do too much too soon. The experienced teacher you are replacing had years to build up their program and their experience and skills. It is unrealistic for you to think you can start your career at the same level.

Ginny: What is your greatest challenge currently?

Mark: My greatest challenge is keeping up with the changing climate of public education. I think I am currently facing the greatest change in my career but I don’t want to discuss it right now while it is still being formulated. Ask me again in 2020.

Ginny: What does a typical day look like for you?

Mark: I teach six theatre classes per day with six separate preps. I do not arrive at school early, mostly because I am almost always there late – until at least 6:30 p.m., but often 7:30 or 9:00 p.m. with rehearsals and other activities.

Ginny: Have you found a way to achieve a good work/life balance? If so, share your tips!

Mark: I don’t think I have found that balance. I am a theatre lifer but as I get older, I am starting to understand why some people can just walk away.

Ginny: What is the resource you most recommend to other teachers?

Mark: I mostly try to get teachers involved with Thespians.

Ginny: What is your favorite musical (or play)? What makes it so special?

Mark: Do I have to choose? At the insistence of my students, I recently created a list of my top five favorite musicals. There were eight on the list. We just did IN THE HEIGHTS and I am very fond of it. I have a growing affection for MEMPHIS as we prepare for rehearsals to start in August.

Ginny: What was the first play you ever saw?

Mark: It was a play I saw in elementary school, presented by high school students. The cool kid from up the street was in the play and I was totally mesmerized. I remember thinking that they were having so much fun and that is what I wanted to do, too.

Ginny: What playwright would you love to have lunch with? Tell us a question you’d ask them.

Mark: Stephen Sondheim (I know: not a playwright). I would be too tongue-tied to ask him a question so it would be a very awkward lunch.

Ginny: What is your “dream” show? The one that you would love to direct at your school if there weren’t any obstacles.

Mark: I want to say CHICAGO because we have been trying to get the rights for ten years – no joke! This spring we will finally get to do it and I think the stars aligned because the time is right.

Ginny: What was the most difficult element of a production you’ve ever had to manage?

Mark: The most difficult element of production probably relates to our recent move to a new facility. Everything that could fit inside a printer’s box had to be boxed up and labeled accordingly. We ended up with almost 1,000 boxes, in addition to dozens of pieces of furniture and 6 crates of costumes. We should have thrown more stuff out.

Ginny: Everyone has at least one good theatre story. Tell us yours!

Mark: I was in a show once with a bunch of my friends and I was feeling especially saucy about others breaking character on stage.

“It’s unprofessional,” I said. “Embarrassing.”

“Oh, really?” my friend Ralph responded. “So you would never break up on stage?”

“Never,” I said. “It’s impossible.”

Naturally, my friends chose the very next night to say and do everything they possibly could to break me on stage. It took about 15 seconds and they kept it up for the entire performance.

Amateurs.

Ginny: What is unique about your theatre program?

Mark: I find this question difficult to answer. I think my personality and the personality of my students makes our program unique. We evolve over the years based on who is in the program and the productions – but that is probably not any different from anyone else. I like to think that we are often presenting plays and musicals that other schools will not present – or at least before they do. We presented URINETOWN ten years ago and now everyone seems to be doing it. We presented MR. BURNS two years ago and INTIMATE APPAREL last year and these are mostly thought of as college plays, I think. We are about to announce a play for the fall that will fit right in with this idea. Our program is also unique, I think, because of our dedication to plays and musicals by female and minority playwrights.

Ginny: Tell us about a student that you’ll always remember and why.

Mark: I have had so many students who challenge and inspire me, I cannot pick just one. It is such a joy now to keep up with their many adventures via social media.

Ginny: Tell us about the moment that made you decide to get involved in theatre.

Mark: I think I would not have been involved in theatre after high school if I had not been approached by the wife of one of my high school teachers. She told me about a local group that was starting a new community theatre and that I should get involved. She was one of the first people I remember making me think that maybe I was good at this sort of thing.

Ginny: What is the weirdest stage food you’ve ever made or eaten?

Mark: I have never eaten strange food onstage. But I can say that I did not enjoy green grapes that much until I had to eat them ritualistically for a play when I was 18 years old.

Ginny: Name something on your bucket list.

Mark: I don’t think I have a bucket list although my wife says I do.

Ginny: Of you could have a different career, what would you choose?

Mark: When I was a kid, I wanted to be a sitcom actor or a mailman.

Ginny: How do you relax after a busy day?

Mark: Talk with my wife. Watch movies or sports. Play with the dog.

Ginny: What is your proudest accomplishment?

Mark: I am proud of recently piloting two musicals (MARY POPPINS and GHOST) and for having two consecutive Jimmy Award competitors.

Ginny: Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of theatre?

Mark: I like to read non-fiction, garden in my flower beds, and anyone who knows me knows how much I love my dog, Victor.

Ginny: What is something we would be surprised to learn about you?

Mark: I was once kissed by Harvey Fierstein.

I met him for the first time at a party hosted by a friend here in Akron after he had spoken at a local fundraiser. He was dutifully making the rounds, talking to everyone, and I was getting increasingly nervous for reasons I do not understand even now. I was not feeling that good to begin with, as my stomach was a little upset, but by the time Mr. Fierstein had gotten around to my wife and me, I was in a full-on sweat. Not a pretty sight, I am sure.

Mr. Fierstein looked to me from about ten feet away and spoke.

"Oh, sweetheart," he said to me, "What's the matter? Haven't you ever met a celebrity before?"

I stammered a response I do not recall.

He said, "You are adorable," as he grabbed my face and planted a kiss on my cheek. Flashbulbs were going off all over the room -- or maybe I just thought they were. I don't remember any more details but he moved on to talk with other guests and my wife and I made a respectful retreat.

A few years later, we saw Mr. Fierstein in HAIRSPRAY in NYC. My wife and I stood side-by-side at the stage door along with our student travelers. Mr. Fierstein was working the crowd again. He was signing autographs, posing for pictures, and chatting up just about everyone.

My wife asked permission to take his picture and he easily agreed. While lining up the shot she said, "We have met before."

"Could be," he replied simply as she snapped the photo.

"It was in Akron, Ohio," she told him.

"Could be."

"You kissed my husband."

"Could be," he concluded with a noticeable twinkle in his eye and a rise in his voice.

Ginny: What is your favorite part of the day?

Mark: I guess the morning, although I don’t like being called a morning person.

Ginny: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

Mark: I would like to travel more. I know my wife would, too, so we should probably get on that.

Ginny: What toy do you most remember from your childhood?

Mark: I had a lot of Legos.

Ginny: Tell us about the best day of your life.

Mark: Marrying my wife, of course.

With so much experience, a knack for storytelling and a thriving theatre program, it’s easy to see why Mark is such an essential member of our Community. If you enjoyed Mark’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.