Spotlight on Educational Theatre: The Pike School

"When you provide students a safe place to share their ideas and experiences, you, the teacher, will learn so much. The work I do with my students gives me so much hope for the future." - Trisha Gordon

(Photo from The Pike School's 8th grade student-written show "Left With Silence" Fall 2017)

In my research on educational theatre and liberation, I have learned a lot about what theatre can look like in schools. However, I found little opportunity to see what it actually does look like. So, per the recommendation of one of my classmates, Kacey King, I contacted the drama teacher, Trisha Gordon, from the Pike School, an independent school in Andover, Massachusetts. Though we were not able to talk one on one, Trisha kindly answered my questions via email. Her responses are copied below. So, let’s jump into what she had to say about teaching theatre and liberation to young people!

1. Introduce yourself! Name, position, background in theatre/education/other fields—

My name is Trisha Gordon. During the school year I work at The Pike School as a drama teacher for grades 6-9. I am an advisor and the 6th grade team leader as well at Pike. I also am the director of SummerARTS at the Community Music Center of Boston. I have a BFA in Theater from Hofstra University and an MA in Theater Education from Emerson College.

2. What do you do at the Pike School and why do you feel that your work is important?

I teach drama classes to grades 6-9 (Students create student-developed performances at each grade level except grade 9. 9th graders perform a piece that has already been written- usually a social justice issue-- This year we are exploring the theme of ability). I also teach a theater and social justice class and run an Actors for Social Change club. In the past, I have worked with students to develop student written pieces outside of these classes to address diversity topics that have gone on tour to other schools and diversity conferences (MLK tribute, making room for diversity theme, and most recently students created a piece to address the N-word.) Giving students a place to voice concerns and educate the community is the most important thing I can do as an educator.

3. What theatrical research/philosophies/practices drive your program and philosophy?

I used applied theater techniques as well as Boal's Theater of the Oppressed. I also rely on my counseling and diversity training to make sure I am truly listening to my students. I want to make sure that all voices are heard and students share power in the decision-making process in the classroom and during rehearsals.

4. Can you tell me more about what the program at the Pike School looks like and how it was created?

This is my 16th year at Pike. Over the years I have added more and more opportunities for students to explore social justice issues through theater. It hasn't always been easy finding time in the school day or outside of the school day to do these extra projects with my students but it is always worth the effort to make it happen. I would love to continue to expand the program and start connecting with other schools. My dream project is to find other theater teachers interested in this work and host a day at Pike at least once a year where students share their social justice pieces and then engage in discussions about the performances and the issues they explore.

5. What kind of impact does your program have on students and where do you see that impact?

While I do hope that my program helps students become more aware of privilege and inequity in our world and hopefully become active citizens, I find that I learn so much from my students through this work. They have such an impact on me. When you provide students a safe place to share their ideas and experiences, you, the teacher, will learn so much. The work I do with my students gives me so much hope for the future.

6. Why do you teach theatre?

I teach theater because good theater should make the audience think and ask questions. The pieces we create at Pike make the audience consider different points of view. My hope it is our work will start conversations and inspire people to learn more about the issues we explore.

I would like to thank Kacey for helping me set this up, and Trisha for being so generous throughout this process. I am inspired to see that social-justice theatre programs thrive in my own backyard and cannot wait to learn more about what exists across the country. Thank you to all the passionate and tenacious educators doing this work!

Check out the Pike School's Drama Program Here!

http://www.pikeschool.org/page.cfm?p=2530