If you are reading this, have you ever heard of Yatesy Harvey? How about Pam Ware, Paul Hampton, Ray Horne, or Jan Ewing? Kimberly Staples, Eric Gray? If not, you’re missing out, because I just named a very select few (couldn’t possibly name them all) of some of the greatest people on earth- high school theatre teachers, who devoted their lives to making kids happy and exposing them to the wonderland of theatre, where they can be themselves and not worry about what people think of them. These people are heroes, mainly unsung, and I cannot wait to be a part of them. But, because it may shock some that I want to devote my life to teaching theatre, I have compiled a list:
1. I love to tell people things
Ever since I could talk, I loved to tell stories and educate people on subjects that evolved as I did. Granted, when I was younger, a hefty majority of them were completely fictional and unrealistic stories about the first things that would come to my head as my parents asked how my day was. As I earn my degree in college, the courses I take come with the occasional presentation- which I always vow to make as entertaining as I possibly can. I recall how I didn’t study for my Script Analysis presentation, and all I remembered was how my playwright had written this play as he transitioned his plays’ themes to politics, so I made a theme-o-meter between “Politics” and “Something Else” with the play being oh so slightly toward Politics. Complete BS, but at least I was grabbing attention with something original and technically telling the truth.
2. Theatre is my Life
I don’t like to think of myself as the most experienced, because you will always find someone with a better story than me in the same room, but I started acting when I was 6. I acted through middle school, and graduated high school with a seal of distinction in the Performing Arts pathway. Not only was it always fun to entertain people for a night, but I also got the chance to be someone else when I didn’t like myself. Of course, the best part of Theatre are the “Theatre Kids” who you can call your peers and supporters, even at your darkest moments. I’ve hit rock bottom, and they were always there for me. I would rather be involved in Theatre than anything else.
3. Acting isn’t for me
As much as I loved acting up to high school, I was taught to be big and poppy and to act like the character and that was the key to success. In college, I was taught that all of that was wrong and I needed to become the character or I wouldn’t be believable. At least, that’s what I got from it- I am in no way meaning to speak badly of CSU’s Theatre Program, because it is super awesome and teaches people right and I’m just dumb. Now, with my method approach being in serious need of shaping, I often get stuck in character. When I take on a role (which is VERY rare now) it starts to affect my mood at home- I’m short-tempered, I’m constantly stressed, and I’m in constant pain. Acting hurts now, and until I can find a way to do it safely, it’s safe to say that I won’t be acting seriously in my lifetime, if not just for a good bit of time.
4. I once needed a teacher
Sob story #2, I didn’t have a lot of friends growing up and I didn’t always have a great relationship with my parents. My parents were always great people, it was me that was the problem and I didn’t get them when I should’ve just loved them. But, the only person that I truly thought believed in me was my teacher. My teachers were my heroes, starting especially with my 5th grade teacher, who turned my life around and taught me how to care about my grades. Another huge effect on me, however, was from my High School Theatre Teacher. He taught me to believe in myself and to be confident in what I had to offer, and he was always there to listen if I was having trouble or to give me advice even when it wasn’t academic- because I didn’t always need academic advice, I needed a father figure’s advice. I have a father, which I saw on holiday breaks and during the summer, but when I was in school, I found a father in my strong male role models.
5. I want to give back
Growing up, I didn’t always have the best attitude. By that, I mean I never had a good attitude and I was practically the spawn of the devil named Satan himself. In 3rd grade, I got suspended for kicking a girl in the stomach just because she said “Brett sounds like Brat” and it somehow lit a bonfire in my soul. I knew the first names of everyone in the front office, and I had to move schools at one point because I became the go-to scapegoat for bad behavior and everyone believed I was the culprit, even when I wasn’t. So, for the damage and stress that I caused my teachers, I feel like I need to give back some karma and pay off my debts. But more than that, I feel this need to give back to the community. I want to be the Giant with shoulders for them to stand on, to see further and accomplish their goals and reference Sir Isaac Newton in their Odyssey articles just like I once did. I want kids to be able to look up to me and I want to be there for them. Maybe even more, I want kids to be able to despise me as the adult who got them on the right track by not letting them “have fun” (get into trouble).
6. I can’t do anything else
I’m good at numbers, in fact I’m pretty darn great at numbers. I can budget 4 months in advance easily, and get it right on the dollar. I would be an amazing Certified Public Accountant, easily making 65-70K a year, not to mention promotion to Senior Accountant that would get me in the high 70s, low 80s. Yeah, I’m guilty of looking into it. I also want a wife and three kids (one boy, two girls) living in the suburbs with my full-grown perfect German Shepherd Dog, yet it’s hard to imagine that life with a teacher’s salary. But in the end of it all, when I thought about what I would be doing for my one short life, I realized that I couldn’t do anything else in the world but teaching.
So sure, it’s not the best paying job with the best hours and the best reputation, but I forgot when I gave a hoot. I can’t wait until I can take more courses on how to become the best high school theatre teacher that I can be, so I can be who I was meant to be in this world. I’m counting down the days.
