This is a follow-up to the previous post about How High School Musicals Create Connections and Fuel Creativity. Chris Rushing, the theatre director at Woodson High School was kind enough to chat with me after I saw their production of Mamma Mia!. Interview below:
Ruby: The actors were really fantastic, and I noticed there is a range of experiences. Are there some students who are new to the stage? How do you help the students who are?
Chris: The students at Woodson have a variety of backgrounds when it comes to acting and I try and provide opportunities to as many people as possible, regardless of their experience. When they are auditioning the skill I am most interested in is “directability,” i.e. how well do they take direction from me, when I give them notes on a new choice do they implement them, are they willing to “look silly” in order to land a big acting choice – then I cast the show based on who I think will help us get the best possible show on the stage in the time allowed. When students are new to acting I have a variety of tools/activities from my time as an Education Director, actor, and professional director. Many of these tools come form different acting pedagogies – like I pull from Stanislavski’s “magic if” idea and movement from Anne Bogarts “viewpoints” but those names don’t mean anything to the performers, instead I try a variety of methods and approaches to see which one resonates with that students, as different ideas connect and land in different ways.
Ruby: Are there students who are “bit by the acting bug” just from taking drama class?
Chris: Yup! Every year I have some students join us who have never done theatre before but took an acting class. Sometimes it’s even a Senior who has no experience. I love being surprised by these students and what they bring to the table.
Ruby: Is drama class something that students can take all four years at Woodson?
Chris: For sure, and I love it when they do! Students can take four acting levels or four tech/design levels with Theatre Arts 1-4 or four Technical Theatre 1-4. For both of them Thea level 3 and 4 classes are honor classes, that come with additional responsibilities and a GPA bump. All students should consider taking Theatre because the “soft skills” of communication, creative thinking, collaboration, non-linear connections, the ability to creatively problem solve, etc will never not be valuable. Hire a theatre kid and you hire someone who knows how to get things done under budget, on a deadline, under pressure. All skills that will not be replaced by AI any time soon…
Ruby: What would you recommend for students who are still in elementary or middle school, but inspired by musical theatre? Where could they start?
Chris: All Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Middle Schools have a theatre program and/or theatre club! That’s the best place to start. FCPS also has a summer program called IFTA (elementary, gr 6-11) school) that offers some valuable teaching tools and most theatres in the area have an education program with classes and audition opportunities – Signature is especially great – but community theatres and religious institutions also usually offer the chance to perform.
Ruby: Are there a lot of theatre students who want to pursue the performing arts after they graduate high school?
Chris: I believe there are a good amount. Many of my students tell me that they still do cabarets or audition after they graduate. But just important is their desire to attend theatre. Without audience members and those who foster the arts there is no future for Theatre.
Ruby: Are there any former students you can name who are not working in showbiz?
Chris: This is my fourth year with the school, so that’s a little tough for me, lol. I know that there are former Theatre Kids all throughout the professional world – from Ted Cruz, Ken Jennings, Chris Hayes, Justin Trudeau, and many athletes talk about how they did theatre in school and it helped them handle the pressure to perform in front of people.
Ruby: What do you like most about directing high school theatre? What did you like best about Mamma Mia! ?
Chris: I mean, the students. It’s the main reason I transitioned from professional theatre, I love teaching students. It makes me feel like I am making a real difference in the world. I remember teachers who impacted me and I want to try and be that for my students. I really love the themes in Mamma Mia!, the idea that family – both those by blood and those you choose – are who is really important in our lives. As well as the power of joy. Joy cannot be overstated and I feel like it isn’t always appreciated the way it should be!
Learn more about Woodson High School’s Drama Department
Website: wtwdrama.org
About the Author: Ruby Hunt
I am a huge fan of musical theatre. As a child, I loved “The Sound of Music” and any Disney animated musical. In high school, I was member of the drama club. The first professional performance I saw was Stomp. Since then, I’ve added Phantom of the Opera, Titanic, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Cats, Wicked, The Lion King, The Book of Mormon, Avenue Q, Jersey Boys, and & Juliet to the list. I look forward to experiencing more musicals with my two girls!
Related Post: Inspiring Young Audiences: How High School Musicals Create Connections and Fuel Creativity
Gift ideas for the “Theatre Kid”:
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