Reflection & Gratitude Regarding the Tennessee Arts Academy

I will be sending two copies of this letter via USPS today in Support of the Tennessee Arts Academy Governor Bill Lee and Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds, As an educator from Washington State, I have spent more than two decades teaching students, actors, and teachers around the country. During that time, I have had the opportunity to teach at festivals, conferences, and workshops of all kinds. This summer, I had the privilege of traveling to Tennessee […]

Tennessee Arts Academy – Day 1

I arrived in Nashville to a gentleman in baggage claim holding a sign that said “Alan Hawkins”, won’t lie, that was very cool. They quickly shuttled me to my hotel and as we got to the entrance, he said “Oh good, you still have 25 minutes to get ready for the dinner pick up here in the lobby!” Now, by this point, I had only had a muffin and water the entire day, so I […]

Tennessee Arts Academy – Day 2

I slept well, which is good. They took all of the drama facilitators to breakfast and then to the college to check out the rooms we will be teaching in. Then we returned to the hotel for a brisk 35-minute rest! 20 of those minutes I spent stressing over what I was going to wear. I finally settled on my “SEXY CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT” outfit. Once I got that sorted we went to the gala […]

Tennessee Arts Academy – Day 3

Today was our first day teaching classes. After a quick continental breakfast, we piled into the church vans that shuttled us over to the college. Before long, I was standing in front of my first group of drama teachers, ready to introduce them to improvised Shakespeare. I knew many of them were nervous. Shakespeare can be intimidating enough on its own. Add improvisation, and it becomes downright terrifying. But you know me… I won’t let […]

Tennessee Arts Academy – Day 4

By the end of each day, I was exhausted. By the time dinner rolled around, my brain was mush, and I was running on fumes. To make matters worse, my body had decided that 3:00 or 4:00 a.m. was now the perfect time to wake up every morning. Nevertheless… Today was another incredible day. My drama teachers are simply amazing. I continue to be inspired by the ferocity they bring to the stage. Watching them […]