Go Teach!

By: STO Piper Daniell, Midway High School, Troupe 4770, and STO Gentry Phillips, Springtown High School, Troupe 1494

​Texas Thespians proved time and time again that theatre not only serves as a means for thespians to embrace their creative selves but also proved to be a place where everyone is involved. Whether we are techies, directors, or actors, we all have a place to teach others about what we do in theatre and about how that has shaped us as people. 
For Theatre In Our Schools Month, Texas Thespians shared an acronym many of us can easily relate to: A.R.T.S. 
This week is Teach! For so many of us, theatre has been our safe place and an area where we feel free to be ourselves. However, many thespians don’t realize what theatre taught them until they stop to reflect. Not only does theatre teach us about ourselves, but being in theatre and advocating it allows every thespian to teach others about the importance of the arts. Below are some statements from STO’s about what theatre taught them, along with what it has taught our wonderful director, Nicole Morgan.

STO: Campbell Lemons, Chair
What is something theatre has taught you about yourself?: Theatre taught me to trust myself even if I am unsure of the outcome and to always take the opportunities that come up.
How has theatre impacted the way you work with others?: It helped me to better understand different ways of thinking creatively and bettered me as a performer, leader and person.
How has what you’ve learned in theatre impacted you outside of the theatre?:The main thing I have taken away from theatre is how to advocate. Not just advocating for the arts, but advocating for myself. Advocating for yourself is something that I have relied on throughout the college application process and more.

STO: Annie Bailey
What is something theatre has taught you about yourself?: I learned that I struggle with eye contact but I have gotten much better at doing it and not feeling uncomfortable.
How has theatre impacted the way you work with others?: I am empathetic and more apt to consider what motivates the actions of others rather than rushing to be upset over small things. 
How has what you’ve learned in theatre impacted you outside of the theatre?:
I have learned lots about time management and public speaking skills. I say a lot less “ums” than I used to. 

STO: Elisa Pedraz Sanchez 
What is something theatre has taught you about yourself?: Theatre taught me that I am stronger and more confident than I think. It takes a lot of courage and training to stand up in front of a crowd and perform and before I joined theatre I never thought I would be able to do something like that someday. Theatre taught me how to be confident in my own skin and rock all of the things that make me different. It also made me a stronger person because of all the people I was surrounded by and all of the challenges I went through to get to this place. 
How has theatre impacted the way you work with others?: Absolutely! Before doing theatre I HATED doing any kind of team work activities but theatre taught me that I can't do everything alone. Like with shows, it takes a whole team to put on the show and it would be impossible for one person to do that by themselves. Theatre taught me how to collaborate with my peers, how to express my ideas better and how to listen to other people's ideas. Theatre impacted my work ethic positively!
How has what you’ve learned in theatre impacted you outside of the theatre?:Theatre in general taught me how to be more confident and that is something that is absolutely necessary in the real world because that is the way you portray yourself. It taught me how to be true to myself and how to fight for the things I believe in even if the path might be rocky. It made a huge impact in my life by teaching me there is always beauty even in the darkest places.

Thespian Board Director: Nicole Morgan
What is something theatre has taught you about yourself?: Perseverance 
How has theatre impacted the way you work with others?: I learned to listen more.
How has what you’ve learned in theatre impacted you outside of the theatre?:It gives me confidence to tackle the problems that will arise and know that I can do things as needed.

No matter what theatre taught you, always remember how much we can teach others through the work of the arts. With March being Theatre In Our Schools Month, take every opportunity to better educate others about the significance of the fine arts and how it enriches our lives.

Go teach!
You 2020 & 2021 Texas State Thespian Officers