Connecting to a Challenging Script

Episode 130: Connecting to a Challenging Script Heather Meeks is a middle school teacher who did not shy away from a challenging script. What can you do to meet a challenge head on? How do you deal with parents or administrators who feel middle school students should not step outside their comfort zone? Listen in to hear Heather’s fabulous story.   Show Notes * Shuddersome Episode Transcript Welcome to TFP – The Theatrefolk Podcast – the place to be for Drama teachers, Drama students, and theatre educators everywhere. I’m Lindsay Price, resident playwright for Theatrefolk. Hello! I hope you're well. Thanks for listening. Welcome to Episode 130. You can find any links for this episode at the show notes at theatrefolk.com/episode130. Now, let me tell you, I love a good story and that’s kind of what, well, a lot of these podcasts, they come from somebody telling me a good story, right? They come from somebody simply sending an email and saying, “We did this and it was such a success!” or “Oh, I’m trying this and, boy, is it a challenge!” or “I tried this and it was a challenge and we overcame it!” I love hearing about that and I know that others do, too. I think and I know that the Drama teachers and Drama educators sometimes feel alone in their journey. Maybe they’re the only teacher in their district, at their school, or they’re in a school where everyone kind of looks at you a little bit strange. I’ve totally been in that position where nobody quite gets what you’re doing and nobody’s quite in the same page. They know you’re doing something good – hopefully – but they’re never quite sure. Any time that we can share someone’s journey with you guys, with our listeners, that’s what I want to do. I want to let everybody know that they’re not alone and, I have to say, I’m always so pleased to talk to the folks who say yes to my podcast requests because, you know, I just kind of throw them out there. Someone will send me an email and I’ll be like, “Ah! That sounds like an awesome topic! Would you like to come talk about it?” Sometimes people say no and sometimes they’re like, “Okay, but I’ve never done it before.” You know, we’re pretty casual here. We just kind of talk and it’s always a fascinating lovely experience for my end – hopefully on their end, too. (I just realized, oh, that’s only me! I’m the only one having a good time.) And then, sometimes, I will set it up and find a space to talk. A lot of times, I’m at a conference and I’m like, “Oh, hey, we’re going to be there. Let’s find a corner and just have this conversation.” Sometimes, I think it’s going to go one way and it’s just so much more. I’m completely blown away and, I have to say, this week is one of those talks. We’re talking about connecting to a challenging script with teacher Heather Meeks and I just love this conversation. It made me so happy to write for schools and I got to the end of this and I’m like, “Okay, I’ve got to go write a play. I’ve got to go write a play right now.” I’ve got to warn you, I was at a conference and quiet space is pretty much a no-go in some of these places and you might hear some weird noises. Just try and focus on the words. Don’t think about the flushing – there might be some, don’t think about it. I know you’re thinking about it; don’t think about it. LINDSAY: So, I am here at TETA. Do you guys call it TETA or TETA? HEATHER: No, TETA. LINDSAY: The Texas Educational Theatre Association Conference in Houston and I’m here with Heather. Hello, Heather, Heather Meeks! HEATHER: Yes, hello, Lindsay! LINDSAY: Hi! How are you?