THED Talks

This week Jimmy’s mentor, Matt Webster, takes over and talks with Jimmy and Adam Carter about their new book, Trauma-Informed Practices in 9-12 Theatre Education! Order the book here!

This week JImmy talks with Massachusetts teacher Sarah Palmer. She talks about the joy and community that theatre brings, product vs. process, and casting.

This week Jimmy talks with Florida theatre teacher Gail Chase. She talks about theatre changing her life, the need for play, and her Shakespeare experience that revolutionized her teaching.

This week Jimmy talks with Australian based teaching artist Cody Riker. He shares about the importance of passion in your work, the challenging climate of education in the US, and being willing to pivot when you need to choose to keep loving what you do.

This week Jimmy talks with Illinois theatre teacher Madison Gillis. She talks about the varied teaching load she has, settling into your career in the early years, and taking care of yourself and your kiddos.

This week Jimmy talks with the creator of The Drama Notebook, Janea Dahl. She talks about how theatre teachers impacted her life, seeing a need and filling it, and of course, The Drama Notebook and all its valuable resources! www.dramanotebook.com

This week Jimmy talks with New York theatre teacher Frank Barranca. He talks about his journey that led him to teaching, innovative ways to keep kids excited, and the importance of fun!

This week Jimmy talks with Illinois dance teacher/teaching artist/educator Diane Rawlinson. She talks about her wonderful career in performing arts education, utilizing your global community, and dreaming again.

This week Jimmy talks with New York administrator Andrew Frey-Gould. He talks about starting a thespian parent association, technology in the theatre classroom, and school administration and the arts.

This week Jimmy talks with Hungarian teaching artist Ildikó Vojtek. She talks about language and literature, challenges with theatre companies, and motherhood.

This week Jimmy talks with Southern Oregon theatre teacher Julia Cuppy. She talks about creating community, new play development, and culturally responsive theatre education. 

This week Jimmy talks with Connecticut based teaching artist Jamie Monahan. She talks about the value of consent based practices, working with intimacy professionals, and the low level intimacy challenges in our students post-COVID.

This week Jimmy talks with Dr. Lusie Cuskey! She talks about finding community in theatre, intimacy direction, and mental health coordination.

This week Jimmy talks with Jason Goldstein of BookTix! He talks about the teacher that field his entrepreneurial spirit, theatre teachers as producers, and how BookTix can help your program grow! www. BookTix.com

This week Jimmy talks with Texas theatre teacher Javon Rougely. He talks about filling a predecessor’s giant shoes, DEIA work in theatre, and approaching lessons from a director’s perspective.

This week Jimmy talks with Portland, OR teaching artist Evan Tait. They talk about the role musical theatre played in their life, the down side of pigeon holing students, and holding on to our humanity. 

This week Jimmy talks with Texas teaching artist Pamela Vogel. She talks about her InterACTive classroom she has that goes in depth with performance, immersive theatre, and discussions about heightened texts through the play WIT.   http://www.pamelavogelhomepage.com

This week Jimmy talks with Illinois theatre teacher Danny Yuska. He talks about the community that theatre creates for students, finding balance, and the Illinois All State Production of The Prom.

This week Jimmy talks with Indiana theatre teacher and professor Mary Beth Frank. She talks about the beat cycle, taking care of our kids, and utilizing processes to make things run smoother.

This week Jimmy talks with SC theatre teacher Lauren Pilling. She talks about early career lessons learned, theatre competitions, and learning how to not doubt yourself. 

This week Jimmy talks with NC theatre teacher and teaching artist Sussanah Wagner. They talk about their work as a props artisan, being “village people,” and teaching in a military town.

This week JImmy talks with teaching artist and author Floyd Ruhmor. He talks about using developmentally appropriate pedagogy for students ages 9-12, his work with young people, and his new bookStage It: Making Shakespeare Come Alive in Schools! www.stageitplays.com

This week Jimmy talks with Louisiana theatre teacher Kriti Jacobs-Stanley. She talks about her work in children’s theatres across the country, student leadership, and the impact of the International Thespians.  

This week Jimmy talks with teaching artist Madison Williams. She talks about the impact of her mentor, building and running a meaningful school program, and being a working teaching artist. 

This week Jimmy talks with Missouri teacher William Palmer. They talk about dramaturgy, creativity and play, and dignity as DEI work.