Teacher Highlight:Drama Teacher’s Passion Pays Off

If Karen Calinda wasn’t a drama teacher, she is certain that she would be associated with the theater is some aspect, whether it be casting, directing, or educational outreach. Her passion for the stage is evident in her dedication to the Winthrop High School Drama Society and the talent that her students display.

 

Please tell us about your background…

I’m from Rhode Island. I went to Boston University to study acting, then transferred to Providence College and graduated with a BA in English. I have a master’s in theater education from Emerson College.

 

When did you realize you wanted to be a teacher?

While finishing up my undergraduate degree, I began helping my high school drama director (at St. Mary Academy Bay View in Rhode Island) with her productions. I loved being in shows when I was in high school, but it wasn’t until then that I realized how much I loved directing and choreographing. From there, I began to search for master’s programs in theater education.

 

What do you love about teaching in the Winthrop School District?

I have worked in the Winthrop Public Schools for 21 years and have been a resident of the town for 17 years. I love the small, close-knit community that Winthrop offers. Working with dedicated and talented colleagues is one of the best parts of my job. Additionally, the new middle/high school has a state-of-the-art Broadway-caliber theater. My students and I are so grateful!

 

If you weren’t a teacher, what other profession could you see yourself doing?

I cannot imagine doing anything outside the world of theater so, if I were not a teacher, I would probably be working in the theater in some capacity- casting, directing or educational outreach.

 

Is there someone who inspired you to teach?

My high school Drama Director, Christine Kavanagh, was a role model to me. She’s the person who encouraged me as a performer. So much of my directing style has been influenced by her work- such as a strong focus on movement, stage pictures and costumes. She taught me that attention to every small detail on stage is so important.

Additionally, my father has been a math teacher all his life. Though math has never been my strong suit, I grew up seeing the passion with which he approached his subject matter and the impact his teaching style had on the lives of his students.

 

Do your students inspire you?

The enthusiasm, dedication and fearlessness of my Drama Society students inspire me.  When working on a production, my direction is just one part of the equation. We have so many students excelling in so many fields – stage management, costume and prop design, music composition, light and sound design, writing and editing. All those elements must work together to create a cohesive, unified event. When I see my students push themselves toward excellence, toward consistent, quality work – I am inspired.