Theatre Class Addict

“Don’t ignore the silences” is something said by every high school theatre teacher and director.  Students too often think that playmaking is a speed contest in which the one who can get through their lines the fastest is the winner.  I guess the thought could be that if they paused they might forget all of their lines.  Now if THAT is the problem, then their work has even bigger problems!!!  Certainly in the lines – in those decisions and discoveries – lies the most interesting part of the story.  Without this being tended to, one might as well stay home and READ the play.  I also think that, as in life, silence is the one place that escapes lying. .  You can lie all you want to with words – in fact most of speaking is about hiding from the truth and not revealing it.  BUT silence cannot lie.  It is in silence that truth lies.  Truth in life – truth on stage –  all remain silent.  So show me – don’t tell me!

On the day that I drove to the school board to complete all the paperwork necessary to retire, I was a mess.  I knew I was the right age, had turned in the correct number of years, had my savings all lined up – but I was a mess.  I was such a mess that I didn’t even eat my breakfast.  Admittedly, it got very emotional as I was racing to throw all of the papers I could imagine necessary into my book bag and rush out the door.  Before I hit the door, however, I did have enough presence of mind to grab a muffin from the counter and hurry off to the car.  As my mind was racing one hundred thoughts a minute – – as to whether this was the best choice or not – should I just back out – – am I making the wrong decision at the wrong time – – – Read more →

I am very proud that I received my MFA in Playwriting from Pennsylvania State University a hundred years ago.  I loved writing, and I loved teaching writing.  One of the challenges I have had over the years is how to come up with that very first assignment to get my sophomores to connect and really love this art.  I had quite a few that had some luck- but nothing had the success of this assignment.  One year we had a surprising span of time at the end of the semester and I thought it was a good time to introduce an assignment for a bit of fun and a bit of torture for the young writer, but it was amazing.  Giving students each one of these ridiculous titles below, I had the very best plays of the year.  This was true year after year.  AND all I asked was that the title somehow be integral to the play.  I HIGHLY recommend this ultra simple exercise.  Here are the titles I used the first year: Read more →

For over thirty years, I dreaded the span of time from 2:30 to 3:30pm known as last period.  It was that part of the day that I was at my lowest energy.  No amount of protein bars, candy, 4 hour shots of B vitamins and caffeine, healthiest of food, or unhealthiest of foods could change this drop in energy.  It got so bad a few years that I bought a cot for my tiny office and had a wee nap just to pretend I had gotten more sleep.  This time of day was doubly troublesome in that rehearsals began at 4pm and lasted for 2-3 hours – – and that was the time that I WANTED to be at my peek energy and creativity.  Year after year, it was a fight – – that somehow I won – – no matter the collateral damage.  But now in  retirement I snub this time of day and at 2:30pm walk myself into my well air-conditioned bedroom and SLEEP – sleep until I am damn well ready to get up.  Take that 2:30pm!   You haven’t won!  I defy you with each and every nap!

When I started down this teaching journey at the ripe old age of 22, I just cringed at every mention of the title “Mr. Higgins”  Apart from recalling my father, I was only 3 years at most from my 18 year old seniors.  I mean we listened to the same music and watched the same TV shows.   It was just so odd to have them use that title.  It made me feel a bit sad and also made me long to return to college where the separation would not be there.  But now – – upon retirement – – actually 2 months into it – – I realize that I will likely never be called, “Mr. Higgins” again.  Now I miss it.  Now I would like to feel that bit of respect that comes from the title.  Now I miss those two letters.