April Langehennig Teaching Philosophy
April Langehennig Teaching Philosophy
Performing Arts Education: a catalyst for change
Performing Arts Education: a catalyst for change
The role of the Theatre Educator, especially in the realm of Performing Arts Education, is synonymous with
The role of the Theatre Educator, especially in the realm of Performing Arts Education, is synonymous with
that of a facilitator and servant leader. As theatre educators, we are called to create safe spaces and enrich
that of a facilitator and servant leader. As theatre educators, we are called to create safe spaces and enrich
environments for fertile minds to grow as future artists and educators in our society.
environments for fertile minds to grow as future artists and educators in our society.
I strive to create an open, diverse, and inclusive environment for all students in classrooms and rehearsal
I strive to create an open, diverse, and inclusive environment for all students in classrooms and rehearsal
rooms. During check-in, a moment where students can quickly share how their world is going either verbally or in a
rooms. During check-in, a moment where students can quickly share how their world is going either verbally or in a
journal, I offer the students a moment to self-reflect, share, embrace, or even move away from their daily lives into
journal, I offer the students a moment to self-reflect, share, embrace, or even move away from their daily lives into
the world of the creative artist. This allows students to engage more holistically in their creative learning process.
the world of the creative artist. This allows students to engage more holistically in their creative learning process.
Future educators are just as important as the students they will one day impact.
Future educators are just as important as the students they will one day impact.
I believe in a learner/creator-based process within both my classroom and the rehearsal room. Students
I believe in a learner/creator-based process within both my classroom and the rehearsal room. Students
should expect to engage in an experiential learning environment incorporating jewels of knowledge and techniques
should expect to engage in an experiential learning environment incorporating jewels of knowledge and techniques
from Anne Bogart, Rudolf Laban, Uta Hagen, Stanislavski, Hodge, myself, and many others. Focusing on a spiraled
from Anne Bogart, Rudolf Laban, Uta Hagen, Stanislavski, Hodge, myself, and many others. Focusing on a spiraled
learning curriculum, students interact with the course content by adding a new element of performance, classroom
learning curriculum, students interact with the course content by adding a new element of performance, classroom
management, curriculum creation, etc., with each interaction. An example would be my “My Stage Play” Project.
management, curriculum creation, etc., with each interaction. An example would be my “My Stage Play” Project.
Each week students build, one small step at a time, a cumulative final project that results in a three to five-minute
Each week students build, one small step at a time, a cumulative final project that results in a three to five-minute
stage reading of a self-written and designed new work.
stage reading of a self-written and designed new work.
Through this approach, the learners are not set adrift but are supported, encouraged, and urged to push
Through this approach, the learners are not set adrift but are supported, encouraged, and urged to push
boundaries, not only of their own given circumstances but also the limits put upon individuals in society, personally
boundaries, not only of their own given circumstances but also the limits put upon individuals in society, personally
or globally. With clear landmarks for discovery, students can quickly check their progress personally while seeing
or globally. With clear landmarks for discovery, students can quickly check their progress personally while seeing
where they may want to press themselves creatively. Setting up clear expectations is vital to my belief in servant
where they may want to press themselves creatively. Setting up clear expectations is vital to my belief in servant
leadership.
leadership.
The calling of a servant leader is one of holding the student's needs in high regard while creating a rigorous
The calling of a servant leader is one of holding the student's needs in high regard while creating a rigorous
environment that encourages high-performance outcomes. The servant leader facilitates an inclusive and safe space
environment that encourages high-performance outcomes. The servant leader facilitates an inclusive and safe space
that promotes risk-taking as the student develops their individual voice as a performer. Not only does a servant leader
that promotes risk-taking as the student develops their individual voice as a performer. Not only does a servant leader
help define and refine goals, but they also are there to catalyze artistic freedom and possibility.
help define and refine goals, but they also are there to catalyze artistic freedom and possibility.
The classroom environment and the rehearsal room are crucial to the success of the innovative learning
The classroom environment and the rehearsal room are crucial to the success of the innovative learning
process. By creating a clear curriculum, goal posts, and encouraging experiential learning, I will help facilitate the
process. By creating a clear curriculum, goal posts, and encouraging experiential learning, I will help facilitate the
success of creative artists who will change the climate of the world around them.
success of creative artists who will change the climate of the world around them.