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 Charles Puetzer, a math teacher at Michigan City High School in Michigan City, Indiana. In addition to teaching math classes, Charles is the Troupe Director of Thespian Troupe 7760, a theatre program that is run entirely after school and on weekends.
Why do you believe theatre is important?
Theatre is important because it builds character, opens minds, allows people to use their imaginations, and builds family bonds.
International Thespian Society 2019 Graduates, Michigan City High School
What is your greatest challenge?
Trying to get kids involved and look past the stereotypes of the “theatre kid.”
What does a typical day look like for you?
Well, that’s an interesting question. I am not the typical theatre director. I am math teacher during the school day, teaching six classes. After school, I go into director mode. I, like most theatre directors, am a one man show. I am the director, technical director, set designer, theatre manager and just an all-around jack of all trades. When class is over, I head to the auditorium, either setting up an event in the space or directing one of our two shows for the year. I look forward to 7-8pm when I get to go home and spend time with my family. Saturdays are set construction days and Sundays are the days I grade for my class.
Urinetown cast, Michigan City High School, 2018
Tell us about the best day of your career.
The first time I was notified about going to the Distinguished Banquet. Our school does a Distinguished Banquet for seniors that are graduating with a 3.8 or higher GPA on a 4 point scale. The first year I went, I was invited by one of my theatre kids that I never had in class. This is a great honor. I have since gone every year, and it is always a theatre kid.
What is the resource you most recommend to others in your profession?
The best resource is others in the profession. Use others’ knowledge and then make it your own. There is no reason to reinvent the wheel every time.
Do you have any tips for new theatre teachers?
Make time for yourself. It is very easy to get overwhelmed and burnt out. The show will come. Also, don’t overwork your kids, remember that they have a full day of classes and their own issues too.
What is the best advice anyone has ever given to you?
Get sleep during tech week!
The Bold The Young and The Murdered cast, Michigan City High School, 2018
Weirdest stage food you’ve ever made or eaten?
Nothing weird but something that is still talked about to this day was a cake for The Diary of Anne Frank. I brought in a pound cake for the cast to eat during the show and they would hide part of the cake to save for later because after the scene, the crew would eat it all. I guess it was pretty good.
What is your favorite musical (or play)? What makes it so special?
Les Misérables, one of the first shows that I ever had the chance to go and see. The technical aspect of the show for the time period was just amazing, especially since I’m more of a techie then a director. I know this is a little dark, but I will never forget the Javert death scene, with the rotating stage floor and the bridge rising, just beautiful.
What was the first play you ever saw?
The first show was my freshmen year of high school, Good News.
What was the first role you ever played?
The one and only role I have ever had was the judge in Tom Jones.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
Ever since my freshmen year of high school I have wanted to teach math. I loved the subject and I had a unique ability to convey my knowledge to others.
13 cast, Michigan City High School, 2017
Tell us about the moment that made you decide to get involved in theatre.
Once again, going back to freshman year of high school. I played football, got injured and couldn’t play anymore. One of my best friends suggested I help with theatre. It was over after that, I was hooked and have been for 30 years.
What is unique about your program?
I do not teach the theatre class or any related classes to theatre. Everything we do is after school or on the weekends.
What was the most difficult element of a production you’ve ever had to manage?
One year we did a full student-run show, Catch Me If You Can. Even though it was student run, trying to make sure every element of the show was covered and the students had everything they needed to be successful was rough.
What would you consider your biggest failure and what did you learn from it?
I don’t know if I would call it a failure, but a big learning experience was my first show at the high school, Oklahoma. I did everything but the music and choreography. The show was too long and I hired a piano player who decided to bring in a few musicians and it turned out to be a disaster. The piano player promised them they would get paid and there was no money for that, then she wanted five times what I had offered her. Needless to say, we have gone with either MTPit or ROC’s for every show since.
Everyone has at least one good theatre story. Tell us yours!
Senior year of high school our theatre class did Steel Magnolias. Well, there is a scene where they are shooting at the birds in the tree, so we used firecrackers in a metal garbage can. One of our performances was for grade school students. During rehearsals and then for this performance, we had built up a bunch of paper in the can. This was our last show, and the kid lighting the fireworks went overboard and dropped way more than needed. The can caught on fire and was smoking like crazy, which set off the fire alarms and caused the evacuation of the building. After this event, they switched the smoke detectors to heat sensors.
Name something on your bucket list.
To stay at every hotel at Disney World.
If you could have a different career, what would you choose?
I would do theatre professionally and full time.
How do you relax after a busy day?
Well, if the weather is nice, I love to ride. During the winter, spending time with my wife.
Proudest accomplishment?
Marrying my wife!
What is your favorite part of the day?
Going home to my family.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Somewhere with lots of land and slightly secluded! Or Disney World!
If you enjoyed Charles’ interview as much as we 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.