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Ms. Jaime Joyce-Lead Director
Vision
From an early age, I have always leaned towards the theatrical. In fourth grade, we were assigned to create and present a report on a state, so I chose the state of Utah. To make my report stand out, I added sound effects to aid in a story that I was telling.
In college, I would make all of my presentations theatrical in some aspect. I would always find myself in some managerial position, where I would be training new hires and creating and developing materials to make our jobs easier: training manuals, paycheck stubs, etc.
I would find a way to incorporate theatre in some way, so when I was deciding on a career, I decided to take my talent of training and teaching and my penchant for theatre and combine the two.
In high school, I was very active in theatre. I became a Thespian when I was a sophomore, and Thespian President my senior year. I was responsible for directing our annual melodrama when I was a senior. I was also in Ballet Wichita's "The Nutcracker" both my junior and senior years, so I have a background in both dance and theatre. I was also in every theatrical production throughout my high school career.
The relationship that I developed with my theatre teacher, who I am still in contact with today, was instrumental in my career choice. I had such an amazing and special experience in high school, that I want to be able to give that back to my students. I want to create an environment that is welcoming and a place to belong for those students who may feel a little lost and misunderstood.
Background
Originally from Wichita, Kansas, in 2010 I graduated from Wichita State University, with my Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Theatre, Secondary Education. In 2019, I graduated from the University of Houston, with my Master of Arts in Theatre. My journey towards this degree actually began my first year of teaching while I was attending my first TETA in Houston, Texas. I was really interested in pursuing this, but being a first year teacher, I didn't think I had enough experience, so I placed it in the back of my mind and would revisit this from time to time. The fall of 2016, I decided to take a chance and apply, and I found myself accepted and I suddenly had an extended family-my cohort!
In 2019, I was also honored as an "Outstanding Educator" by one of my students. I was chosen as the teacher that had the most influence on them throughout their educational career.
My first two years I taught were at West Mesquite with Mesquite ISD where I was the technical director. The next nine years I taught at Prosper High School with Prosper ISD, where I was the auditorium manager and assistant director. Over the summer of 2022 we took a group of students to perform at the International Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland.
I'm very excited to have the opportunity to continue to lead my very own program, and I look forward to building a program that prides itself in excellence and inclusivity.
Ms. Chelsea Chappell-Associate Director
Vision
Throughout my life, theatre has been the thing I have learned to lean on the most. I use my improv skills during job interviews, stage management skills when organizing my classroom or life, technical design skills when setting up my first home, etc. More than anything else though, theatre provided me a space to feel safe in; a place to escape to, to just play and learn without pressure.
Being skillful in theatre has little to do with innate talent; rather it comes from a willingness to try. To perform or design, one must overcome themselves and their insecurities. Theatre provides a space to play and explore. That can only be done well when we let go of our self-consciousness and learn to be confident in our own skills and abilities.
My main goal as a teacher is to have my students take the lessons they learn in theatre and apply them to their everyday lives. Although I hope all students enjoy the class, they don't have to love by the end of the year. However, I do hope that they will have learned how to communicate better, strengthened their social and emotional intelligence, and learned something new about themselves.
Background
Hailing from rural West Texas, I graduated from Midwestern State University, earning a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Theatre Education.
I have been on a stage since I could talk. Growing up, I acted in my uncle's theatre department every year. I spent many evenings watching musicals with my entire family. To me, theatre has always been a thing to share with those you love the most.
In high school, I was very involved in the theatre club, eventually falling more and more in love with this art. During this time, I found that teaching theatre was my true passion. As much as I loved acting, designing, and creating myself, nothing compared to watching others around me enjoy the art form I loved so dearly.
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