THED Talks

This week Jimmy talks with South African teaching artist Sandy Vlandir. She talks about the valuing every story in the space, using theatre for social and personal change, and taking care of yourself and your students in the process.

This week Jimmy talks with North Carolina theatre teacher Chad Edwards. He talks about burnout, the dreaded posting of the cast list, and entering teaching through lateral entry.

This week Jimmy talks with Louisiana teaching artist Allison Brandon. She talks about grit, running nonprofit and for profit businesses, and the joy and power of theatre and theatre teachers.

This week Jimmy talks with Texas teacher Polly Harrison. She talks about engaging new students, her EPIC theatre festival, and the importance of storytelling in our work.

This week Jimmy talks with Oklahoma teacher Marisa Skube-Carr. She talks about taking risks, hosting student teachers, and shares some great activities for relationship building with your students.

This week Jimmy talks with Massachusetts teaching artist Jennifer Morin. She talks about her work in adaptive performing arts, her own experiences with ADHD, and provides some excellent strategies for teachers to use in their own classrooms.

This week Jimmy talks with New York theatre teacher Nicole Gebler. She talks about how theatre helped her through her childhood, Transferable skills, and work- life balance. 

This week Jimmy talks with North Carolina theatre teacher Tori Lye. She talks about being called to teach theatre, writing a musical, and balancing teaching theatre and being a mom.

This week Jimmy talks with Pennsylvania theatre teacher Tracey Gatte. She talks about producing edgier theatre, her role in Drama High and the tv show Rise, and the need to be supportive in online groups.

This week Jimmy talks with Minneapolis teaching artist, actor, and playwright Autumn Ness. She talks about theatre for young audiences, taking care of your whole self, and the world premiere of her play "Babble Lab" at Children's Theatre Company! https://childrenstheatre.org/whats-on/babble-lab/

This week Jimmy talks with California professor Jay Sheehan. He talks about his work as a stage manager and production manager, his book on production management, and the mental health crisis currently plaguing our students and teachers.

This week Jimmy talks with Georgia teacher Brian Wittenberg. He talks about musical theatre, the teachers who shaped him, and working as a professional actor and director while teaching.

This week Jimmy talks with Tennessee teacher Tony Davis. He talks about building a thriving program in a small community, Thespians, and the role of alumni in a program. 

This week Jimmy talks with Massachusetts teacher Julia Whitten. She talks about drama based pedagogy as a tool for neurodivergent success, her journey into theatre education, and working as a disabled teaching artist.

This week Jimmy talks with New Jersey teacher Steven Collins. He talks about imposter syndrome, fostering a classroom environment that is both welcoming and challenging, and using relationships with students to push them further.

This week Jimmy talks with Theone and Stephanie Rinaudo from New York. They talk about working together as mother and daughter, building a small program into a local powerhouse, and their award winning production of Frozen. 

This week Jimmy talks with Illinois theatre teacher Jianna Lubotsky. She talks about relaxing into teaching, working with diverse populations, and being a teacher first.

This week Jimmy talks with Kansas theatre teachers Katie Murphy and Megan Upton-Tyner. They talk about community norms, theatre advocacy, and the impact their teachers have had on them. 

This week Jimmy talks with Nebraska teacher Brittany McDaniel. She talks about nonlinear paths to teaching theatre, rebuilding a program after traumatic experiences, and unique fundraising. 

This week Jimmy talks with Illinois theatre teacher Nathaniel Haywood. He talks about theatre being a source of connection, keeping kids first, and the importance of involvement in state organizations.

This week Jimmy talks with UK based teacher Joanna Tompkins. She talks about theatre for students from deprived areas, Augusto Boal, and her own influential teachers. 

This week Jimmy talks with UK based teacher Ben Winter. He talks about inspiring young children, running a successful after school club, and musical theatre.

This week Jimmy talks with Canadian theatre educator Jeff Marontate. They talk about his 30+ years in educational theatre, his work at the Stratford Festival, and COVID=19’s impact on students and theatres. 

This week Jimmy talks with California teaching artist Rebekah Kellaway. She talks about running a non-profit, mentoring new and emerging arts educators, and arts equity.

This week Jimmy talks with Utah theatre education professor Dr. Amanda Dawson. She talks about dramaturgy, conversations about race in the theatre classrooms, and her current research.