THED Talks

This week Jimmy's mentor, Matt Webster, takes over and talks with Jimmy and Adam Carter about their new book, Trauma-Informed Practices in 9-12 Theatre Education! Order the book here!

This week JImmy talks with Massachusetts teacher Sarah Palmer. She talks about the joy and community that theatre brings, product vs. process, and casting.

This week Jimmy talks with Florida theatre teacher Gail Chase. She talks about theatre changing her life, the need for play, and her Shakespeare experience that revolutionized her teaching.

This week Jimmy talks with Australian based teaching artist Cody Riker. He shares about the importance of passion in your work, the challenging climate of education in the US, and being willing to pivot when you need to choose to keep loving what you do.

This week Jimmy talks with Illinois theatre teacher Madison Gillis. She talks about the varied teaching load she has, settling into your career in the early years, and taking care of yourself and your kiddos.

This week Jimmy talks with the creator of The Drama Notebook, Janea Dahl. She talks about how theatre teachers impacted her life, seeing a need and filling it, and of course, The Drama Notebook and all its valuable resources!www.dramanotebook.com

This week Jimmy talks with New York theatre teacher Frank Barranca. He talks about his journey that led him to teaching, innovative ways to keep kids excited, and the importance of fun!

This week Jimmy talks with Illinois dance teacher/teaching artist/educator Diane Rawlinson. She talks about her wonderful career in performing arts education, utilizing your global community, and dreaming again.

This week Jimmy talks with New York administrator Andrew Frey-Gould. He talks about starting a thespian parent association, technology in the theatre classroom, and school administration and the arts.

This week Jimmy talks with Hungarian teaching artist Ildikó Vojtek. She talks about language and literature, challenges with theatre companies, and motherhood.

This week Jimmy talks with Southern Oregon theatre teacher Julia Cuppy. She talks about creating community, new play development, and culturally responsive theatre education. 

This week Jimmy talks with Connecticut based teaching artist Jamie Monahan. She talks about the value of consent based practices, working with intimacy professionals, and the low level intimacy challenges in our students post-COVID.

This week Jimmy talks with Dr. Lusie Cuskey! She talks about finding community in theatre, intimacy direction, and mental health coordination.

This week Jimmy talks with Jason Goldstein of BookTix! He talks about the teacher that field his entrepreneurial spirit, theatre teachers as producers, and how BookTix can help your program grow!www.BookTix.com

This week Jimmy talks with Texas theatre teacher Javon Rougely. He talks about filling a predecessor's giant shoes, DEIA work in theatre, and approaching lessons from a director's perspective.

This week Jimmy talks with Portland, OR teaching artist Evan Tait. They talk about the role musical theatre played in their life, the down side of pigeon holing students, and holding on to our humanity. 

This week Jimmy talks with Texas teaching artist Pamela Vogel. She talks about her InterACTive classroom she has that goes in depth with performance, immersive theatre, and discussions about heightened texts through the play WIT.  http://www.pamelavogelhomepage.com

This week Jimmy talks with Illinois theatre teacher Danny Yuska. He talks about the community that theatre creates for students, finding balance, and the Illinois All State Production of The Prom.

This week Jimmy talks with Indiana theatre teacher and professor Mary Beth Frank. She talks about the beat cycle, taking care of our kids, and utilizing processes to make things run smoother.

This week Jimmy talks with SC theatre teacher Lauren Pilling. She talks about early career lessons learned, theatre competitions, and learning how to not doubt yourself. 

This week Jimmy talks with NC theatre teacher and teaching artist Sussanah Wagner. They talk about their work as a props artisan, being “village people,” and teaching in a military town.

This week JImmy talks with teaching artist and author Floyd Ruhmor. He talks about using developmentally appropriate pedagogy for students ages 9-12, his work with young people, and his new bookStage It: Making Shakespeare Come Alive in Schools!www.stageitplays.com

This week Jimmy talks with Louisiana theatre teacher Kriti Jacobs-Stanley. She talks about her work in children's theatres across the country, student leadership, and the impact of the International Thespians.  

This week Jimmy talks with teaching artist Madison Williams. She talks about the impact of her mentor, building and running a meaningful school program, and being a working teaching artist. 

This week Jimmy talks with Missouri teacher William Palmer. They talk about dramaturgy, creativity and play, and dignity as DEI work.

This week Jimmy talks with Applied Developmental Psychologist Thalia Goldstein. She talks about her new book “Why Theatre Education Matter.” She talks about her research, the Eight Habits of Mind, and her future work in play! www.theatreedmatters.comwww.thaliagoldstein.com

This week Jimmy talks with California theatre professor Talya Klein. She talks about her work as an acting professor, the difference between being uncomfortable and unsafe, and intimacy work. 

This week Jimmy talks with Michigan teacher Shelley Bajorek. She talks about the power of supportive caregivers, world premiere productions, and student leadership.

This week Jimmy talks with Amanda Edwards from the Association of Mental Health Coordinators. They talk about what a mental health coordinator is, what trainings AMHC offers, and teacher wellness and self-care.www.associationmhc.com

This week Jimmy talks with Maryland theatre teacher, Dr. Elizabeth Patterson. She talks about theatre and social justice, the universality of the work we do, and planting trees we'll never see. 

This week Jimmy talks with Season 3 guest Deb Baldwin about her new book, “We're Live! Radio Theatre #101! Check out THED Talks social media this week for a book giveaway! 

This week Jimmy talks with South Carolina theatre teacher Calista Weis. She talks about starting a new program, COVID kids, and the impact of a moment for a child. 

This week Jimmy talks with Michigan auditorium manager and director Chris Chapman. He talks about the dangers of the one man show, competitive theatre festivals, and safety within our theatre programs.

This week Jimmy reconnects with Season 4 guest Jason Lasky. They talk about his new adventures with voiceover work and podcasting, actor and student wellbeing, and his new adventures moving to Moscow, Russia to teach theatre!www.jasonlasky.comwww.honeytoyourears.comwww.laskywellbeing.com

This week Jimmy talks with Pam Atkinson of License Training Musicals. Theatre teachers this is a company you want to know about and bookmark on your computers to strengthen your musical theatre classes and craft development with your students! www.licensetrainingmusicals.com 

This week Jimmy talks with Misissippi teacher Chris Permenter. He talks about being a jack of all traders, student travel, and student ownership of work.

This week Jimmy kicks off Season 7 as he talks with the 2024 recipient of the Excellence in Theatre Education Tony Award CJAy Philip. She talks about her career as an artist and educator, Dance & Bmore, and using the authentic voice of people in her work. www.danceandbmore.com 

This week we flip the script. Season 6 guest Andrew Geha interviews the host and creator of THED Talks Podcast, Jimmy Chrismon. They talk about his journey, teaching in higher education, and trauma-informed practices in theatre education.http://www.jimmychrismon.com

This week Jimmy talks with theatre teacher Sana Ghalia from Amman, Jordan. She talks about her experiences and the importance and power of theatre in young lives. 

This week Jimmy talks with Sam Marsden from France. She talks about how play and creativity can change lives, her work with young people, and her work as an author.

This week Jimmy talks with Texas teaching artist Nancy Lynch. She talks about her work as an Intimacy Coordinator in K-12 settings, Upcoming trends and topics in intimacy work, and her company Class Intimacy Acts.Class Intimacy Acts

This week Jimmy talks with Texas theatre teacher Mandy Rausch. She talks about intimacy direction, being an empath and a teacher, and finding a new career later in life.

This week Jimmy talks with Illinois theatre teacher Brian Herman. He talks about starting a program from scratch, giving students as man opportunities as possible to share their art, and creating community in the theatre program.

This week Jimmy talks with Iowa theatre artist Gina Geving. She talks about starting a community theatre, taking risks, and the power of why not!

This week Jimmy talks with California teaching artist Dr. Radhika Roa. She talks about peace building through theatre, working in theatre in unconventional ways, and how her faith shapes her art and her work.

This week Jimmy talks with Texas teacher Katy Evans. She talks about building a program from scratch, seeking out community support, and her own faith.

This week Jimmy talks with Virginia theatre teacher Marie Miguel. She talks about student centered programming, finding ways to keep your work exciting, and providing a space for students to be themselves.

This week Jimmy talks with Utah teacher McKenna Filey. She talks about Improvisational Theatre, self-care, and the impactful teachers who shaped who she is as a teacher.

This week Jimmy talks with Pittsburgh theatre teacher Jennifer Lybarger. She talks about the importance of theatre for elementary schools, getting rid of the show must go on mentality, and finding your tribe.

This week Jimmy talks with New York teacher Andrew Geha. He talks about immersive theatre, intimacy direction with high schoolers, and the power of theatre for a community.   www.andrewgeha.comShakesplosion at Youth Plays!

This week Jimmy talks with South African teaching artist Sandy Vlandir. She talks about the valuing every story in the space, using theatre for social and personal change, and taking care of yourself and your students in the process.