Theater Education

STate education specialist in theater

Perpich Center’s Theater Education Specialist advances the work of theater education in Minnesota by supporting theater teachers and directors, English Language Arts teachers, elementary generalists, and others through dynamic face-to-face and online workshops, consultation, theater company partnerships, a mentorship program, and professional development customized to school or district needs.

Stephanie Lein Walseth, PhD, is Minnesota’s Theater Education Specialist. Currently, her work centers around the following topics:

  • Implementation of the 2018 Minnesota Academic Standards in Theater
  • Curriculum development and assessment
  • Building literacy across the curriculum using the tools of theater and dance
  • Culturally responsive teaching and culturally relevant pedagogy
  • Equity and anti-racism in theater education
  • Theater artistry and production support and professional development
  • Resources & Mentorship Opportunities for New Theater Directors and Educators
  • Theater Classroom Visits
Stephanie Lein Walseth, PhD, Theater Education Specialist

Stephanie Lein Walseth stephanie.walseth@pcae.k12.mn.us  |  763-279-4181

Stephanie Lein Walseth, Ph.D. is a theater educator, artist, administrator, and scholar with over 25 years experience working with students and artists of all ages. She has served as an affiliate faculty member at Augsburg University since 2011, and as an instructor and curriculum developer at the University of Minnesota and Penumbra Theatre Company. In the professional theater realm, she served decade-long tenures with Full Circle Theater and Penumbra, worked in leadership roles with Theater Mu/Mu Performing Arts and Mixed Blood Theatre, and served in artistic and/or administrative roles with Sod House Theater, Playwrights’ Center, Guthrie Theater, Native Voices at the Autry, Portland Stage Company, and Oakland Theater Project, among many others. Stephanie received her Ph.D. in Theatre Historiography from the University of Minnesota, and her research focuses on African American, Asian American, and Native American theater, and the institutional politics of relationships between theaters of color and predominantly white institutions. Her writing has appeared in HowlRound, Theatre Topics, e-misférica, The Baylor Journal of Theatre and Performance, and the Palgrave anthology Theater, Performance and Change. In her role at Perpich since 2018, Stephanie is pleased to support K-12 and College/University theater educators across the state, as well as all educators interested in using the tools of theater in their pedagogical practice. Stephanie received the Theater Educator of the Year Award in 2022 from the Minnesota Educational Theater Association. She is currently serving on the Executive Council of the Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota.

PERPICH THEATER DIRECTOR AND EDUCATOR MENTOR PROGRAM

As a part of a comprehensive theater education landscape in the state of Minnesota, the Perpich Center Theater Director and Educator Mentoring Program aims to support K-12 directors and educators in all aspects of their work, both curricular and extracurricular. Through the guidance of experienced theater directors and educators (who are also licensed in Theater Arts, English/Language Arts, Speech, and/or related fields), mentees are able to strengthen their skills, abilities, and knowledge in one or more of the following areas:

• The entire process of directing a production (including script selection, casting, blocking and movement, technical/design elements, and more)

• Creating and running a theater program (planning and scheduling, fundraising, budgeting, marketing, recruitment and retention, audience engagement, advocacy)

• Developing curriculum and assessment (in alignment with the latest state and national standards)

• Developing an equity lens in all aspects of their work in order to increase diversity, inclusion, access, and ensure nuanced, culturally sustaining representations

The Mentoring Program aims to increase K-12 theater educator and director confidence, improve student engagement and outcomes, and increase teacher retention through the support of a statewide network. The program is open to early career directors and educators, those who have been teaching for some time but are new to theater directing, those who may have directing experience but are new to the K-12 system, or anyone in K-12 theater education who feels like they could benefit from the support and guidance of a mentor in their productions and/or their curriculum.

Click here to learn more and to sign up for the Theater Director and Educator Mentor program

Theater Education Resources for Teachers and Administrators

 

Standards & Benchmarks

 

Tools

Explore the Perpich Library for book lists and other resources

 

Professional Organizations

“Thank you for hosting Backstage Center Stage! What a wonderful day of learning, sharing, and meeting new colleagues. So often it feels like we work in isolation; what a great way to unite and share information and resources. I look forward to the next event.”

Ryan Julien, Fine Arts Center Supervisor, Spring Lake Park Schools

“You all rock. I so appreciate this opportunity and will commit to creating and delivering curriculum designed with an anti-racist and equitable lens.” (Commenting on Penumbra Theatre Company’s RACE Workshop and follow up conversations with Perpich Staff)

Mark Rehani, Incoming Middle School Theater Educator, St. Francis Area Schools

“I have encouraged others in my building to sign up for the next session [of “Using the Body, Voice and Movement to Unlock Texts” workshop]. There are some great ideas to literally get kids out of their seats and learn, whether in a classroom or learning online.”

Cheryl Neidt, Retired Theater Educator, Springfield Public Schools

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THEATER EDUCATION SPECIALIST WORKSHOPS

Workshop Examples

  • Using the Body, Voice and Movement to Unlock Texts
  • Implementing the New K-12 Minnesota Standards in Theater
  • Cultural Representation in Educational Theater
  • Resources & Mentorship Opportunities for New Directors
  • Theater Classroom Visits
  • Moment Workshop with Tectonic Theater Project
  • RACE Workshop with Penumbra Theatre Company
  • Backstage Center Stage Tech/Design Conferences with partner organizations
  • Theater Educator and Director Conference with Hennepin Theatre Trust
Search the Perpich calendar for upcoming Professional Development events

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCE PROGRAMS DIGITAL RESOURCES

K-12 Arts Standards
Reflective Artist Award
Arts Integration
Native Authors & Artists
Research Tools
What to Look For in the Arts

 

theater EDUCATION SPECIALIST PHOTO GALLERY

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