An Invitation to “Reach Out and Zoom Somebody”
By Carolyn Marie Wright
The past two academic years will certainly go down in history books as unpredictable and challenging. I also know that certain chapters will include stories of unexpected grace, newly discovered best practices, and deeply appreciated moments of connection.
As an educator in the high school setting during the COVID pandemic, my school days were never predictable. No matter how much I prepared, there was always an element of surprise. Though I was frustrated at times, I was also encouraged to improve my teaching and directing strategies.
Some days it felt like I was in the center of a three-ring circus, juggling the care of students in the room, students on Zoom, and students who participated asynchronously for a variety of reasons. While planning and grading time certainly increased, so did my awareness of the need to scaffold lessons and differentiate feedback for a spectrum of learners.
I am thankful for my school Brophy College Preparatory because the administration understood the toll on students, families, and teachers, and offered grace and support. It was a blessing to have one-to-one technology in the classroom, and I adapted hybrid strategies for both the classroom and the rehearsal room. Thank goodness for Zoom.
When I first heard about Sandy and Patch’s “playwright in non-residence” experience with students at East Carolina University, I was thrilled. During a time of unfamiliar circumstances and isolating social distancing protocol, I imagine that the Zoom production of “A Woman Named Truth” offered joy and fellowship for students and adults who shared the digital stage together.
I hope that this month’s ElevAATE story encourages you to seek creative ways to connect through, with, and in theatre and education. As we adjust to “the new normal,” I also hope that we practitioners tend and care for new performance spaces together. Consider this an invitation to “reach out and Zoom somebody” today. See what kind of digital theatre magic you can make.
Carolyn Marie Wright hails from upstate New York and is currently based in Phoenix where she serves as Theatre Director & English Teacher at Brophy Prep and Artistic Director of Humanity Play Project. Proud member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA, AATE, and Arizona Theatre Company’s Cohort Club.
