The ERHS Theater Department is no stranger to improvisation. In the past two years, the theater department has put on four large productions and participated in countless small workshops and shows that were put together within a few months. Their more notable productions have been “Mamma Mia!” in October of 2023 and “All Shook Up” in April of this year.
This year, the theater department has welcomed a new instructor named Christine Bowie after the controversial departure of David Ireland, who had the role of the head of the department for the past two years. Bowie was interviewed about the future of the theater department after the drama of the 24-25 school year.
O’Donnell: I am joined today by Christine Bowie, the new head of the theater department here at Eleanor Roosevelt High School. I have a few questions for you about the future of the theater department, but I think we should start with some basic questions first. What inspired you to become a theater teacher?
Bowie: I have always loved theater. Since I grew up as a theater kid, I understand the experience theater students want and, since I graduated from this school specifically, I understand what they want from this program.
Bowie: This opportunity, the opportunity to teach at the high school I went to, is so special to me, and I am thrilled at the opportunity to pour into the next generation here. It is so important to me that students feel safe and valued, inside and outside of school, and I believe theater is a subject that allows conversations like those to come the most. I find that the change and learning and conversations that happen in theater are so powerful and unlike any other subject.
O’Donnell: I love your passion and to follow-up on your response, let’s talk about the theater department itself. Being a teacher at Eleanor Roosevelt High School a few years after graduating, especially after being involved in the theater program whilst being a student… what is your long term vision for our theater program?
Bowie: I would love for this department to thrive and continue to be a safe, happy and fun environment for students to grow in their performing art skills and contribute to the high caliber performing arts department Roosevelt is known to be.
O’Donnell: I love that. Do you have any idea how many shows you intend to do this school year? For the past few years, the theater department has put on a lot of musicals… do you intend to change that at all?
Bowie: So, not many people know this, but the theater is actually under renovation for this whole semester, so the plan for the first half of the school year is something called a Miscast, which is when students play roles they would not play usually. The reason for this is that it’s very portable… it can be done anywhere.
Bowie: But during a more typical school year, I would love to see a show in the fall and a show in the spring while also continuing our tradition of doing a Junior Show for kids in middle school and younger.
O’Donnell: This question is a little more complicated due to the theater renovations, but it is still very relevant. How do you intend to implement leadership opportunities on and off the stage?
Bowie: Well, of course for our performers, they lead others and themselves every day by showing up and putting in effort. Every role is a leadership opportunity. For the people who help make our shows possible, which we call tech, I think their leadership starts with helping teachers recognize the importance of their roles within the show, which is a little more complicated but doable.
Bowie: I think it’s also important to set a specific time aside for tech students to help them organize their ideas into visions for the performance. I think every tech member is a leader, and they need their own time and attention apart from the performers to help them really reach their full potential, as much as possible this year.
O’Donnell: Let’s talk about the Boosters… also known as the group of parents that help to support the theater department and their children in the program. Are you planning to make any changes to the program? How do you envision their role in the program after their controversial involvement last year?
Bowie: The Boosters program will definitely not change this year. They are such a strong support to the theater department… the program is filled with talented and passionate parents that are so eager to contribute to their students success. A lot of the current members also have theater experience and continued to be there for the kids in the theater program before this school year even started. They are so important and supportive and I continue to include them as much as possible.
O’Donnell: One final question that I believe is the most important of all… what values do you believe are the most important in theater?
Bowie: What I view as most important, from the standpoint of a teacher, is that students feel seen and welcomed and special. I think it’s my job to ensure that theater is a space people can continue to love and look forward to being in. I want everybody to feel emotional safety and know how valued they are every time they step into this environment.
O’Donnell: That’s perfect. Thank you so much for your time, Miss Bowie. I cannot wait to see how the theater department thrives under your guidance.
Bowie: Thank you so much!
After about a month and a half into this new school year, theater students have shared their experiences with Bowie and how they have adjusted to the changes within the department. Advanced theater student, Ella Lantz, says, “…she [Bowie] is more educated on the history of theater …in past classes, we would practice our competition numbers or shows, and I think I like learning better.”
Juliet Arivilla, who participated in past productions, said, “One thing I hope to see from Miss Bowie is the department being a little more organized. …I don’t know how it’s working now, but I would like to see more organization within the entire show.”
Kaylyn Hooker, another advanced student and current cast member says, “…she [Bowie] is a lot more personal. I think it is a lot more intimate and safe, which I really like.”
Bowie continues to make good impressions on those within the theater department, and outside the theater department and invites everybody to come watch Miscast in the next few months.
