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 next spotlight is Jessica Speck, a Theatre/Math/English teacher at Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, Maryland. Jessica also leads Thespian Troupe 335 at Wootton. Jessica has been contributing to Community conversations since its launch over five years ago and has earned bronze level status for her insightful advice and recommendations.
Why do you believe theatre is important?
I believe theatre is important because there is no match that I have found to help students develop empathy. To see the world through the eyes of another and build an understanding of the human condition is one of the most important roles of education in society today. Additionally, the opportunity to be fully present with other human beings in a world that increasingly puts a barrier between people in the forms of electronic communications is invaluable.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I teach five 45-minute classes a day out of a seven period bell schedule. Typically, only two of those periods are Theatre, with the others some combination of English and/or Math. The school day ends at 2:30 and I usually have rehearsal until 5pm, drive my own children to various appointments or events and arrive home at 7pm or later and then resume working from 9pm to 11pm.
Do you have any tips for new theatre teachers?
There are many practical things I could share, including online resources and collaborating with staff and administration, but I think the most important thing I believe and want others in my profession to believe is this: forgive students who make mistakes. High school students have extraordinary potential and you will be awed by what you can see them do. They can be occasionally callous or reckless. To the extent that you can, forgive them and don’t hold transgressions against them from show to show or class to class. They are growing up, trying to figure things out (like balancing their schedules or what to say or not say) and they need adults who are willing to communicate with them clearly about what they should be doing and tell them when they did something wrong, but also give them the gift of forgiveness and second chances.
What is your favorite musical (or play)? What makes it so special?
My favorite musical is Next to Normal. It is not one I ever see myself directing with my high school students, but I love the complexity of the characters and relationships. Diana’s struggles with her mental health are as timely today as when I first saw the show at Arena Stage in DC in 2008.
What was the first role you ever played?
My first role was my freshman year of high school. The school was putting on some kind of Disney musical review and I was cast as a Siamese cat from Lady and The Tramp.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
My grandmother was an elementary school teacher for over 40 years in her small town in rural Illinois. She started out teaching in a one-room schoolhouse and continued substitute teaching well into her seventies. In some cases, she had taught four generations of families. She was the kindest and most beloved person I knew and we got stopped by her former students wherever we went. When I started college, I entered a program for Broadcast Journalism (my father was a radio newscaster growing up), so I thought I wanted to follow in his footsteps. However, during the first week of my freshman year, I volunteered to be a stage manager for the fall musical and quickly realized I didn’t want to be a journalist-I just liked talking into a microphone. Then, I coupled this work with tutoring all my friends in their math classes (I am also a math and English teacher). I realized that I could do what I loved and hopefully have a small amount of the impact that I saw of my grandmother and I knew the path forward.
What playwright would you love to have lunch with? Tell us a question you’d ask them.
Though she is no longer with us, I would absolutely want to have lunch with Wendy Wasserstein. I would ask her if she knew when she was writing the title character in The Heidi Chronicles that her very specific experiences would be so universally relatable.
What was the most difficult element of a production you’ve ever had to manage?
When I transferred to my current school 8 years ago, I took on directing The Wizard of Oz for our spring production and worked with a company to fly the Wicked Witch, Glinda, some monkeys, various other characters and eventually the Wizard. That was both thrilling and daunting and building the trust of my school and students that we could pull off this magical production was intense.
If you could have a different career, what would you choose?
I used to say that the path not chosen was to be an equity stage manager, but now I think my path really should have been a director, as the artistic experience of interpreting a show and leading a company is the most thrilling part of my job.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
My two kids (daughter 17, son 12) who work to spread kindness in the world are my proudest accomplishment (in collaboration with the support and love of my husband, of course).
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of theatre?
Not really (haha), but I recently started bullet journaling and I really love it.
What is something we would be surprised to learn about you?
Most people are surprised to know that I love math and find it beautiful and creative.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would definitely live in Edinburgh, Scotland so I could attend every day of the annual Fringe Festival each year-it’s divine.
If you enjoyed Jessica’s interview as much as we 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.