1. How long have you been a teaching artist?
Nigh on 30 years
2. What discipline(s) do you teach?
Theatre/Drama
3. Describe the setting(s) in which you teach.
In-School, after school, professional theatre,
community centers, university...in just about every setting I can
4. Who shaped your initial thinking about teaching
art?
Very probably my theatre teachers in elementary
and high school, but it is hard to pinpoint one person or situation
5. Describe the relationship between your personal
art practice and your art teaching?
A tightly woven rope, as each depneds on the
other for strength of purpose and effectiveness. Each has influenced the other
to the degree that it is hard to know what was influenced by the other.
Each gives me the opportunity to practice approaches in different
settings to gauge effectiveness.
6. How do you sustain your art while teaching?
My art is a part of my teaching so it is sustained by
continuing to teach. I also don't believe that I should be doing 'an'
art, but engage in artistic pursuit in various ways and disciplines.
7. What training in the arts and/or education have
you had?
My art was college and university, primarily and
since then workshops as I can. Education was initially practice.
There were not many opportunities for training when I first started.
Now it is sustained through conferences, workshops and collegial
dialogues. In addition I lead many trainings and learn through those.
8. What are the biggest challenges you face as a
teaching artist?
The fact that in the US there is still the sense that
TEACHING art is the bastard child of DOING art. Stupid, egotistical
attitude that cultivates an elitist attitude and makes it harder to rally support
for the arts.
9. What are the unexpected rewards of being a
teaching artist?
Relationships, renewal of purpose, witnessing the
authenticity of response on the part of young children
10. What advice do you have for other artists
interested in teaching?
Reflect, often. Adjust to your setting, don't make
the setting fit you. Be prepared to change at any moment and embrace it. There
is no 'right' way. Learn as you do, don't set yourself up as the expert.
Please share one anecdote of a memorable Teaching Artist
experience or your favorite resources for lessons.
FAVORITE: Viewpoints, Studio Thinking, Releasing the
Imagination
Please share any upcoming events or shows you are
involved in so we can find out more about your personal art practice.
