Today we’d like to introduce you to Chip Rome.
Hi Chip, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Starting early on I was exposed to plays and acting. From high school onward I began directing shows in camps and school, and majored in Theatre Arts and also in Economics.
My first teaching job was in Theatre and English at a small private school just outside London. That’s where I learned all that I hadn’t learned (theatre is much more than just acting)!
After graduate school I got a job in a large public school outside Washington, D.C. and stayed there for 33 years, teaching acting and tech theatre, and directing all sorts of plays and musicals.
About the time I retired, I also co-wrote “Real-World Theatre Education” which is used in numerous theatre education university program. Since it was self published, I have become conversant with online marketing, and have also done corporate workshops in StorySelling.
I’m still active in theatre outside the classroom, mentoring via eBooks (“Teaching Tech You Never Learned” among others), social media (@chipromedramaguy); on the Board of the CAPPIES (like the Tony Awards for high school theatre); as an observer of theatre student teachers for a couple of university Theatre Education programs; as an adjudicator for a local community theatre; and as an occasional performer at “Porch Readings” in Cape May, NJ
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Actually, pretty smooth.
The school system kept throwing significant changes in the way, and some administrators were easier to work with than others, and of course there are always students – and parents – who challenge artistic decisions, but I’ve had it pretty lucky! Lots of support along the way, from family to friends and colleagues.
I think of my struggles as being mostly artistic, relating to whatever show (and its cast & crew) I was working on.
I even retired BEFORE I found I had cancer (beat it), so I got to get out on a positive note.
I’ve got no “rising from the ashes”story. I can’t say I’ve ever gone broke (or even lost money on a sh0w), been addicted, had a bad marriage or gotten fired. Now, I even have 2 pensions, so I’m not depending on savings to pay the bills these days.
Who ever figured doing theatre would keep paying all the bills?!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a high school theatre teacher, I was responsible for teaching grades 9-12 students how to listen, improvise, interpret scripts, develop characters, analyze scenes and plays, critique productively, act and direct…and develop the technical and leadership skills from set and costume design to stage lighting, sound, publicity, etc.
Theatre is storytelling, and that’s how people make sense of the world, and the stage is a wonderful safe space in which to discover the consequences of actions both positive and negative.
I’m the guy that brought improvisation, in the form of Keith Johnstone’s “TheatreSports” from Canada to Virginia public schools long before “Whose Line is it Anyway?” aired.
My book, “Real-World Theatre Education,” co-authored with Zoe Dillard is a major achievement of mine, and I’m proud that it’s part of the curriculum in numerous university theatre education programs.
I’ve directed more than 30 (short versions) of Shakespeare’s plays, performed at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C.
The premiere production of internationally known playwright Ken Ludwig’s show “Midsummer/Jersey” was created by my students (and me).
I’ve travelled with students performing at the Edinburgh Fringe festival in Scotland four times.
I’m proud of teaching leadership skills and confidence and a love of the arts to thousands of students over the decades. Have I also had students go on to Broadway? Yes indeed. I’ve had/have actors on Broadway and in regional theatres, a costumer working on Hamilton in NYC; stage managers; a lighting designer for Cirque de Soleil, a TV personality, an international opera singer, and arts administrators, theatre teachers and professors – and lawyers, sales people, and all sorts who use their ability to communicate ideas clearly and persuasively to others.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Just starting out is like learning to drive: there is basic information to know and then barely think about (how to change gears, to adjust the mirrors, etc etc….and where the photocopier lives, who has the keys to whatever…who to ask about…). And then there are the “normal” things like lesson plans and rehearsals.
But it’s the politics among parents, policies, and the administration – and the kids – that takes up an unexpected amount of time and energy. That’s a lot of what the book talks about.
My advice is to “front load” as much as possible, and to start out with a full year game plan however sloppy. It will surely change, but much better to have something to change FROM, than to feel lost not knowing what to do next.
I wish I knew who to ask all my questions to, and where to get tech help. That’s why I host the monthly “Theatre Educators Network” online meetups (thed.network).
Pricing:
- Real-World Theatre Education – $26.97
- Theatre Educators Network – $9/month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://EducationalStages.net
- Instagram: @chipromedramaguy
- Facebook: Douglas “Chip” Rome – https://www.facebook.com/douglas.rome
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiprome/
- Twitter: https://www.tiktok.com/@chipromehstheatrementor
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chipromedramaguy-mentor
- Other: https://TheatreEducators.network
