I have worked in entertainment my whole adult life, whether it be at a
radio station, a talent agency, or on the road with a band or a renaissance
festival. No matter where life has taken me, I always come back to
performing, either in music or theater. It took me a while to realize it,
but I finally discovered that I was miserable without this in my life. So no
matter what my day job was, I had to find a way to incorporate performing
into my life.
My happiest time was when I was on the road as an independent entertainer
at renaissance and medieval festivals around the country. I loved it. It
wasn’t making me rich by any means, but I was definitely happy. During
that time, I became involved in helping with rehearsal for the various high
school kids that auditioned and became part of the casts. I mentored some
kids, and led rehearsals at some festivals. I also got to coach kids through
special things like Shakespeare contests. It was during these experiences
when my suspicion that I wanted to teach was confirmed. I had always had
something with kids going on in my life, too: piano lessons in college, big
sister program in L.A., muscular dystrophy benefit and March of Dimes in
Davenport, IA and Special Olympics in Nashville. It just never became
apparent to me that teaching was calling to me.
I always got a lump in my throat and an adrenalin rush before every show
I ever did. When I got those same feelings as one of the students I’d
coached stepped on stage to perform her Shakespearean monologue, I knew. I
wanted to teach.
Finding an alternative program that offered certification in theater was
a challenge, especially since my bachelor’s degree is in mass
communications. I had given in to getting certified in speech communications
when I discovered that ISU offered certification in theater to those who had
worked professionally in theater for at least five years. That was me! It
took me about two years of researching schools to land at this one, but I’m
glad I stuck to what was in my heart.
One thing I have noticed is that websites dedicated to teaching theater
arts are few and far between. I’ve done lots of searching and have found a
number of sites that are excellent resources for teachers, from lesson plans
to Shakespeare (yes, I’m a fan). I would like to share these with you, and
make myself available to help you realize your dream of teaching, too!
Illinois
Alternative Certification Programs
