Top Star Theatre Arts Academy (TSTAA)

 5-Day Program

$6400 for the School Year

 (4 Quarters) 

$1600 Each Quarter 

-Small Class Sizes

-Theatre Focused

-Arts-Infused

-Music and Movement

4-Day Program

$5600 for the School Year 

(4 Quarters) 

$1400 Each Quarter 

-Small Class Sizes

-Theatre Focused

-Arts-Infused

-Music and Movement

Tutoring

$50 Per Hour

-Public Speaking

-Music Lessons

-Poetry

-Writing Lessons

-Specialty Lessons As Needed In 

Various Subject Areas

As a retired teacher with a lifetime teaching license in Speech and Theatre from the State of Arkansas in her possession, Helen now has much more freedom, choice, and time to work with schools and community organizations on an array of workshops and residences centered around theater in general, mime, and even children’s theater. She is also willing to be an instructional coach for any teachers or adults in charge that need her assistance. “Project Based Learning” is one of the innovative ways she likes to teach students. She takes the concept of the various theater roles from directing to acting on the stage to working behind the set to get all students involved in theater where they feel the most comfortable. Of course she challenges students to try new things that are theater based in order for them to learn even more which leads to more respect for the art form. 

Mime and children’s theater along with readers theater, solo acting, words & music, poetry, debate, and public speaking are some other areas she can help build up students to become more confident and learn how to deal with stage fright at the same time too. She considers herself a “triple threat” as she is a theater, debate/forensics, and communication guru!!! 

A motivated, high energy educator with a demonstrated track record fostering student learning who possesses strong people skills makes Helen Lashawn Strickland, née Leniear, aware and dedicated to the needs of students, educators, community leaders, and anyone with whom she works. A strong background in public speaking, acting, theatrical directing, and organizing programs as well as being very experienced in fundraising, budgeting, and also a radio/television minor are a few other of her skills. 

In 1990, Helen earned a Master of Arts Degree in Speech and Theater and in 1988, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech Communication both from Arkansas State University at Jonesboro, Arkansas. She served as the Arkansas Communication Theater Arts Association(ACTAA) President from April 2014-April 2015 and as their Executive Council Vice President from September 2011-April 2014. Helen’s first official job as an educator was as the Instructor in Speech Communication and Director of Forensics At the Arkansas State University of Jonesboro, Arkansas from 1990-1993. She also worked in the Little Rock School District in various schools in the following roles: Drama, Forensics, Communications, Play Director, Head Forensics Coach, International Thespian Society Troupe Director, National Speech and Debate Association Coach, Auditorium Manager, Director of Forensics and Debate, Advanced Drama, Junior Varsity Drama/Forensics Coach, and Assistant Debate Coach in the Little Rock School District at West High School of Innovation from 2021-2023, Pinnacle View Middle School, from 2018-2021, Hall High School from 2012-2018, Central High School from 1996-2012 and J. A. Fair High School from 1995-1996. Her biggest honor was being selected as the Arkansas Communication Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) Teacher of the Year in August of 2022. On January 1, 2024, she retired after 34 years as an educator.