It is through the magic of the theatre that artists tell stories and reveal truths that disrupt the status quo and sometimes shake the very foundation of humanity. Whether it’s through the lens of drama, comedy or tragedy; theatre functions as a vehicle for entertainment, education and transformation.
As an educator for over 23 years, I teach from my belief that learning is intrinsic in nature. Specifically, within theatre arts, I have learned to instill new knowledge in the student, while also supporting students to access the courage to make the kinds of personal and professional discoveries that lead to meaningful artistic expression.
As a teacher at an HBCU for 19 years, I have taught a significant number of first-generation students and have acquired the skills that help support and assist students with their matriculation. Making sure that students are aware of student support services like the writing center, additional financial aide resources and encouraging them to get involved with on campus activities are key to helping first-gen and all students to have an enriching and successful academic experience. Through maintaining posted office hours, I provide opportunities for students to ask questions and receive additional support.
As a professor, I receive great satisfaction from creating a classroom environment that accommodates individuality and creativity while also promoting a high level of critical thought. I want my students to embrace both scholarly research and creative work and to use it to share perspectives on their art form and what's happening around them.
Some of my most satisfying experiences as a teacher have come from helping students transform from struggling to grasp difficult concepts to becoming competent and capable practitioners. My commitment is to nurture the development of personal excellence and achievement of student goals.
Within the disciplines of playwriting, directing, dramaturgy and acting, my teaching style remains focused on the personal evolution of each student within the act of self-discovery; while exposing them to research methods, relevant historic background and advanced techniques in developing their craft. I am personally determined to interact with each student, faculty member, trustee, staff. parent, and friend of the institution on a personal and humanistic level and to seek ways to accomplish the common goals of the institution.
Supporting faculty colleagues is a vital aspect of the academic experience. Some of the ways I demonstrate a commitment to this practice is through meaningful service on committees and by collaborating on interdisciplinary styled projects and sharing resources.
Also, through the active engagement in my personal, social and professional activities I make the sincere effort to keep abreast of what’s happening in my academic field of study as well as what's happening in the world. Having an understanding of the guiding forces within the current social landscape are instrumental to understanding what students encounter; thus, I am better able to utilize theatrical and social history as a tool to help students understand the range of possibilities within their own generation of creating an impact through art.
I believe an essential goal of education in an ever-changing world is the facilitation of knowledge and helping students to learn how to learn. My goal as an educator and theatre practitioner is to foster an educational environment and theatrical experiences centered on discovery, truth, inclusion and liberation.
Through my dedication all students learn to appreciate and understand the critical role theatre plays in helping to diversify the lens through which people view the world and perhaps, help make the world a better place.
~ Professor Denise J. Hart