As we begin the second quarter of the school year, SHC’s new drama director Miss Anne Norland is already hard at work expanding and updating the theater program for a new generation of performers. Her new job entails directing the fall play and spring musical, but she is also the teacher of the Acting and Advanced Acting classes at SHC. The Emerald interviewed her earlier this year, inquiring about her transition to SHC.
I know that you have a background in acting – what made you fall in love with theater?
I’ve always been very theatrical. I was in plays when I was really young… but I think it was really in middle school when we did Guys and Dolls. I was Adelaide and [I realized] this is what I want to do: musical theater, just singing and dancing and acting and make-believe.
What’s your favorite show?
I can’t say that I have a favorite. I tend to get obsessed with whatever show I’m working on, and it becomes my favorite, even [if the show wasn’t my favorite] going into it! When I kind of get into it, I just learn so much about [the play] and fall completely in love with it. Right now I’m very much on the Midsummer Night’s Dream train, [as well as] Something Rotten, and I’m working on a show as well.
What show are you currently working on?
I’m in Ride the Cyclone at the New Conservatory Theatre!
Why did you decide to teach?
I was pursuing my BFA at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. I got a part time job teaching dance… I loved it so much. There were aspects of it that were very similar to performing in terms of enlisting your audience. I became disillusioned with the New York version of performing, [so] I switched gears and decided to pursue both performing and teaching. I also fell in love with all the skills that theater teaches that are not just performance related, like planning and scheduling your time, and projecting, being confident, empathizing with other people, collaborating, that sort of thing. I just loved being able to dissect the theater. Because to teach it, you have to pull it apart and make sense of it.
Why did you choose to work with high schoolers?
I’ve worked with a large variety of students… I just landed on high schoolers because there’s still so much excitement and enthusiasm – still so much interest. You’re not jaded yet, and there’s so much more you can do too, right? You all have great ideas, and you are generating great things.
How would you say your experience at SHC has been different than your previous teaching positions?
Every place has a unique flavor, a unique approach to how things are done… [there are] more personal connections with the students here. It seems like, [especially with the VPA department], the students are interested in each other and building a connection among one another… One thing is, you have this amazing facility, and I think facilities and resources are a reflection of where a school or an organization’s values lie. Clearly we have a strong appreciation for the arts. I think students feel that, which is really, really cool.
You’ve announced that you’ve changed the spring musical from Annie to Something Rotten. Why did you decide to change the musical?
Annie is a classic. I know some people [think] “Oh, I was really looking forward to this classic,” and I feel for that. There are a couple things that were on my mind. One is I don’t know the students well yet. And Annie is a very one person-heavy show… I liked the idea of highlighting an ensemble!
Do you have any plans with the theater program moving forward – do you have a vision for what you want to change yet?
I really want students to be able to take ownership and agency over the program. Artists deserve a say, and I’m hoping that the theater culture in general can be turned over to artists a lot more… I want to inspire our actors to be change makers. Everyone I’ve talked to has great opinions and great ideas. Let’s see what happens! I want to expose students to a lot of different genres, styles of performing, and styles of teaching. I have some plans for bringing in different teachers and different choreographers, and we’re looking at drama club leadership with students.
What would you like to say to any students that would like to get involved in the arts and aren’t already?
I say jump in! Jump in and ask questions. I hope I’ve made it clear to all the drama students that I want to hear from you, and I want to know what you want in the experience that you’re having. We’re in a fun position where I’m new and we can shape [the program] how you want it. What do you want to learn? I want to be like the buoy, I want to be the foundation to help you get there. So please come and tell me what you’ve loved about the theater department.
Ms. Norland has already initiated many changes at the school, with a revival of our Drama Club and its leadership positions. Her directorial debut at SHC is A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which has shows on November 8, 9, 14, 15, and 16 at 7 pm, and all are encouraged to come. Tickets can be found at this link. We are so excited to welcome Ms. Norland into the SHC community!
