Back from lurking again...I'm hoping to really commit this time! I have committed on Instagram; you can follow all my crazy Mrs. with an M.S. adventures by following #mrswithanms or @strwbrysunshine .
Soooo backlogged on my OOTDs...I have taking them faithfully, but it's such a pain to take them with a regular camera and then upload. Someday, there will be a decent camera phone that doesn't pixelate or "noise up" photos once they're edited...le sigh.
This past Tuesday was my thirtieth birthday. I feel...invigorated. Ready for an adventure. Ready to see where life takes me next.
I thought it rather fitting, then, that I had my first full-time elementary school teaching position interview this morning. I was more nervous than I realized, and though Anthro-head-to-toe felt great back in my bedroom, no amount of simple style could stop my right hand from trembling (yes, just the right).
I'm now a college instructor...I don't think I posted about that. I finished grad school in December, and became an adjunct theatre instructor in January through a combination of Facebook and sheer luck. I'm writing this blog from the faculty workroom.
I was checking my campus e-mail and found a series of questions I'd answered for a student administering a field-related survey. Thought I'd share:
How many years of school does it take to get a degree in Theatre?
That depends if you choose to go on to graduate school. An undergraduate degree in theatre is typically 4 years, with a B.A., B.F.A., or B.S. earned. If you choose to go on to further studies, graduate school for the M.A. or M.F.A. is typically an additional 3 years.
-What kind of impact on the world do you think this field has?
Theatre artists continue the human tradition of oral storytelling; theatre artists communicate the human experience through what they do. If we do not know where we have come from, and what stories we have, how can we know where we are going? Communication with others is at the basis of who we are as human beings and the ability and opportunity to do so in expressive, creative ways is absolutely impactful. As far as "what kind of impact"...a powerful one. How can that be measured? Every time we see a show, engage in role-play, pass on cultural stories - we are participating in the making of theatre.
-How do you like Theater now that you've started directing it?
I love it on a deeper level than when I first entered the field as a performer. It's not an infatuation, but a deep commitment to the work we do.
-What is most fun about this field for you?
Experiencing the joy of live storytelling and making discoveries in both rehearsal and performance with the actors and creative team.
-What is the hardest part?
Lack of funding and lack of respect.
-What is the easiest part?
Tough question. It's always different, from show to show, story to story, in terms of ease. Sometimes, it's easy to enjoy the process; sometimes, that's the toughest part. Showing up to work could be considered easy, but some people just can't show up to work. Too tough to answer with any specificity.
-Who do you think this field is most suited for? (People interested in what types of things would like this line of work)
People with passion, vision, and drive. You can have passion without vision and drive...and that will eventually cool and nothing will happen. You can have vision, but neither the interest nor ambition to see it go anywhere. You can have drive, but without passion and vision, what are you pushing into existence? You've got to be a creative, collaborative problem-solver who glories in living and thinking outside of the box. The pay is not steady or reliable, so you've got to be flexible...and again, you've got to have passion, vision, and drive.
-What are your career goals?
To work as an Educational Director and eventually Artistic Director at a professional theatre company.
-What is your typical work load like?
I rarely have days off. With what I do, I direct shows (currently directing three musicals of varying lengths), teach (K-12 and college), attend monthly board meetings (I sit on two boards and consult for others), and do a massive amount of prep. The hours are hard to gauge, because I am always "working" - answering emails on the go, reading design plots on my cell phone, perusing scripts, researching costumes and lighting...because of the digital age we live in, it's extremely difficult to "unplug" completely...theatre people keep insane hours and as such, I'll receive emails and call whenever they are out of rehearsal, etc. I teach and prep during the day and go to rehearsals at night (generally between 4 PM - 10 PM).
- How many plays or musicals have you directed?
A lot. Don't know the number. Definitely have directed more musicals than straight plays. That's all I know!
-Do you have any advice for people pursuing this field?
Work hard, play hard, and don't forget to have life somewhere in there. You can't tell stories if you never leave the theatre, so be sure to go out and enjoy time with your loved ones, visit the world's largest ball of twine, and READ as much as you can!
Hope you're out there living a full, beautiful life!
Best,
Lissa
xoxo
