MHMS Theater Arts

About Mrs. Setzer

I am thrilled to continue building the theater arts department at Mint Hill! I have been teaching theater and language arts in North Carolina for ten years. Before teaching, I was a Production Supervisor for Carolina Performing Arts and a Scenic Artist for Playmaker's in Chapel Hill. I live in Matthews with my husband, who is also a teacher, my baby boy, and my dog, a Border Collie named Hannah. My hobbies include singing, reading, cooking, coffee, rock climbing, travel, Ultimate Frisbee, guitar, and watching Panther football and Tar Heel basketball. I have lived in Missouri, Minnesota, England, and India, but North Carolina has my heart!

Why Theater Arts?

Theater arts is such an incredible subject to teach because it is so quintessential to our existence as human beings. My course is not merely about learning lines and acting out scenes, though these are certainly part of the overall objective – it is about learning to communicate effectively and confidently in every circumstance. I always tell my students, “Use your words well.” I say this phrase regularly to emphasize just how important our words are, from presentations and essays to a conflict with a friend. Words have meaning and impact. Words can cut deep wounds and help heal deeper scars. Words tell our innermost fears and feelings, and words communicate when we are hungry. Words tell our stories and allow us to be more than temporary souls on the earth. Words are powerful; we must learn to use our words well. Theater is one process that allows us to learn and practice this lesson. To read more about how arts education benefits students, see 10 Skills Children Learn from the Arts.