JLN Year 2:

Engaged Learning

My Engaged Learning Experience

For my engaged learning experience I participated in my local youth theatre's production of Jesue Christ Superstar back at home in South Bend Indiana. The role that I played was an assistant stage manager where I helped manage the flow of the rehearsal process and the environment backstage during the show. During the rehearsal process I helped by taking blocking notes, recording dances, taking attendance, and making sure the environment of our community was positive. While the show was running I made sure that quick changes were going well, mics were on and working, props were in place, and making sure that if any of the kids needed anything I was there. This company is something very special to me because I was in a show with them when I was in middle school. I knew I was going home for the summer and that it was a good time to go back to the place that gave me the love for theater that I have now.

Prior experiences

I have been involved in theatre for a long time now and don't plan on stopping anytime soon. Most of my times in theatre has been onstage, instead of behind the scenes. This helped me to have the perspective of an actor and understand the kids more seriously as actors. I have also served the role of a director in high school, meaning that I have the creative perspective of what a director sees. Along with the experience that I have, I am no stranger to United Youth Theatre and have performed with them before as an actor. Getting to be back with a company that gave me my theatre passion has been more than inspiring, as well as observing Drake(the director) work.

Community Connections

One of the most positive things that came out of my experience was that I was getting to connect with a larger community in many ways. I got to reconnect with a community of artists that I have now known for years. I also got to connect with the theatre community in South Bend which is a very lively are for the theatre arts. The last, and probably most important community that I got to connect with is young people. Being surrounded by young minds was exciting because they have such a strong passion for learning and performing.

These kids loved to draw on the whiteboards so I started daily prompts, which didn't last long because of how busy we got in rehearsals

Copy of JCS Mics.xlsx

One of the responsibilities that I took on as an extra help was the mic plot. I found a lot of issues and problems with it the night before tech made by our stage manager. I went in to create solutions for a smooth mic plot and I worked with our assistant director to make a good plan. Although this was not a responsibility that I was told to do or needed to do I wanted to make sure that there were not problems and that the kids were treated fairly with mic decisions.

What next?

After this experience I know that I am wanting to go on and participate in more theatre productions with youth. I have learned that I love the community of theatre education, which makes me think more about after graduation and what areas I want to teach specifically. I know that I am wanting to continue studies and experiences in theatre education with a focus on youth, because I know how beneficial this community is to people.

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