Puppies and Actors: A Training Manual

By Karen Hall

Just over a year ago I became a pet parent when I adopted the most adorable Cavapoo named Millie. I can honestly say that this 13 pound bundle of joy has changed my life. She's taught me a lot the past year - especially about leaving work early so I can go home and see my fur baby.  She's also made me do some reflecting about the process of teaching and how I work with my students in the classroom as we have been going through training together.  Here are a few connections I've made:

REPETITION IS A NECESSITY:  Sometimes I get frustrated with my students when they can't remember something we've already covered - stage directions being quite high on my list. I often find myself wondering "why they can't remember the difference between upstage and downstage - didn't we spend an entire day practicing that."  We sure did - but then we never go back to it.  If Millie has taught me anything it's that you've got to keep drilling the things you want people (or puppy dogs) to retain. We've been practicing sit, down, stay, and come for a year now - almost everyday - so those are things she remembers and is consistently successful at.  So more repetition of simple skills is of the things I plan to incorporate into my classroom next year.

YOU HAVE TO FOCUS ON THE HARD STUFF MORE THAN THE EASY STUFF:   Millie is pretty darn awesome at sit, down, stay, and come. She also LOVES to play her party tricks of under/over and stick 'em up. Those are easy to practice everyday.  What she's not good at it is Leave It and Off.  And some of that is my fault because those are really hard for her and it's not so rewarding for us, so sometimes I don't practice them as much.  As our trainer, Brandi, pointed out - those are the one's we have to train twice as hard at and then use the fun ones as a reward for the hard work.  The same is probably true in my classroom.  My kids love movement and character exercises - they do really well at them.  But they also need some serious work on their vocal skills - especially articulation. But they aren't too fond of doing the work and the results don't come as quickly so I don't work on that as much with them.  I plan on following Brandi's advice more next year - you've got to train the hard stuff twice as much as the easy stuff.

TAKING A RISK IS HARD:  Millie is an awesome dog - but at times she can be a really big chicken.  It took her two months of practice with me as a spotter before she had the confidence to jump up on our sofa by herself.  And she is still scared of long staircases.  Anything past three stairs and she wants to be carried up or down.  I'm baffled by this and sometimes point to some of her smaller and younger puppy friends and say to her "Look - Daisy can run up and down the stairs. Why can't you?" I find myself wondering about the same thing with my students at times. "Everyone else is taking big risks in their characters. Why can't you?" Now when that happens, I remind myself about Millie - sometimes the "scary" things (like taking a risk) take longer for some puppies (and actors) to master. So now Millie and I are taking baby steps (literally) as she is starting to really work on climbing up and down stairs. Right now we are trying steps that aren't that steep or high.  I was so proud of her when she walked down our neighbor's front steps by herself. 

Millie has been such an amazing addition to my family , and I  value all of the lessons she has taught me this past year. She is very proud of her work as official Thespian mascot of Troupe 1792 and as the ITA Board cheerleader. Millie loves coming to rehearsal and to board meetings.  She's also quite theatrical. She made her acting debut in our fall play,  Once in a Lifetime  and was the voice of WIlloughby in our production of  Mary Poppins .  I know she is going to miss all of her ITA Board friends when my term ends this fall. 

ITA Convention Gets a Makeover

Hopefully you have saved the dates for the ITA Convention, Saturday September 17 and Sunday September 18.  But based on feedback from our membership, we are giving the event a makeover.  One of the most constant bits of feedback we received from our membership is that members would like more time to network and socialize at the convention.  In the past, workshops have been centerpieces of the convention.  But since most of our divisions are now doing their own events, which usually involve workshops, we thought we would take the convention and use it to focus on networking, socializing, and celebrating the great work the ITA does throughout the year.  So we give you Opening Night - The ITA Inaugural Gala.

Break out your fancy clothes and get ready to celebrate.  And since it is celebration, we strongly encourage you to bring your spouse or significant others. This  black tie optional event will take place at the Wojcik Center on the campus of Harper College in Palatine, IL.  The evening will start at 5:30 pm on Saturday with a red carpet arrival.  You can

 

The event will continue on Sunday morning.  We will be returning to Harper College, but for this portion of the day we will be in the lobby of the Harper Performing Arts Center.  There will be a light breakfast and networking at 9:30 am.  At 10:15 am, Michael Halberstam, the Artistic Director of Writers Theatre in Glencoe, IL, will treat us to a keynote address.  There will also be a short question and answer session following the address.  We will then have the ITA Annual Business Meeting, followed by our division meetings.  The event should wrap up by 12:30 pm.

 

The annual convention is the one time each year when all of our members from all across the state and from across all of our six divisions get a chance to spend time together to forge new relationships and strengthen existing friendships.  You don't want to miss this opportunity.  Registration and cost information will be available very soon.  See you on the 17th at Harper College!

ITA Member Spotlight: Toni Higgins-Thrash, ITA Member

Submitted by Judy Klingner, ITA Second Vice-President

 

What is your name?

Toni Higgins-Thrash. My first name is really Antoinette...Toni is my 'nick name'.  I'm named after my Father Anthony (Tony) Leszczynski...my Mom and Dad expected a boy, and the nurse actually named me because they didn't have a name for a baby girl. 

 

Please tell us about your background in theatre.

Toni received her BA in Theatre and Dance from Barat College, and her MPA from Roosevelt University.  Currently Toni serves as a volunteer reporter for Schaumburg Cable Station WSPD "Heartbeat Show".  Prior to retirement she served as Cultural Arts Programmer for Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, and Northbrook Park Districts.  As a Charter Member of the National Association of Dance and Affiliated Artists, she continues to take dance classes, has performed in many theatrical productions, and is the Founder/Director of Triumphal Entry Dance Worship Ministry Team. 

 

Tell us about your current career endeavors.

Currently my career path is focused on Volunteering:

I retired from public service from the Schaumburg Park District, Schaumburg, IL in December of 2007.  Since I love to keep busy and have something in my schedule to look forward to, I was asked to be a volunteer for the Schaumburg Park District cable station WSPD as a reporter for the Heartbeat Show.  I am now on my 8th year volunteering with the Schaumburg Park district cable station.  As a volunteer reporter for the Heartbeat Show (geared to the Senior population) I can submit ideas that I'd like to cover.  I submitted an idea to cover a story on the Lutheran Church Charities Golden Retriever Comfort Dog Ministry.  It was approved, and we did do a taping of this ministry for the Heartbeat Show.  At the end of the taping I was overcome with sadness, as I had two Golden Retrievers that previously had passed away, and I forgot how much dogs could benefit people in so many ways.  When the executive director of Lutheran Church Charities saw my emotion, he approached me to volunteer for the organization.  I am now on my fourth year volunteering with the Lutheran Church Charities Comfort Dogs, Northbrook, IL.  I am a handler and secondary caregiver for these beautiful, well-trained Golden Retrievers that visit schools, nursing homes, funerals, disasters, community events, etc.  The benefits of using dogs in healing the human spirit is well documented.

 

Seeing the benefits of bringing information to the Community through my role as a reporter, and witnessing first hand the joy that the Comfort Dogs can bring to people at community events and disaster related ones, brings peace to my soul, and provides me with a sense of usefulness.  Before retirement my focus was solely on providing for family, but now due to my retirement my focus has changed to helping others.

 

I have also done volunteer work even when I was employed.  As an example, I founded and currently direct Triumphal Entry Dance Worship Ministry Team, going on my 35th year.  Triumphal Entry is a dance worship ministry team composed of dancers from varying churches that uses dance and movement to Worship God and spread the Good News of the Gospel.

 

Going into my 4th year working backstage on scenery for Willow Creek Community Church and Promiseland Sunday School, South Barrington, IL, Environment/Scenic Construction Ministries.   I have been going to Willow Creek Church for some 30 plus years now, and during that time have volunteered in varying capacities along this particular journey. 

 

Other current volunteer activities include:

 

Appointed Volunteer Commissioner to the Village of Arlington Heights, Arts Commission, Arlington Hts., IL since 2009.

 

Served in various volunteer capacities and Committees for the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT) for over ten years.  Currently serving as the AACT Illinois State Contact, and looking forward to the upcoming AACT/ITA Illinois State Festival in 2016 and the Regional in 2017.

 

I have a very busy volunteer schedule, and I simply love using my time in 'Helping and Serving Others'... "Keeps You Young At Heart"!

 

What is the biggest challenge you face related to your work in the theatre?

In the past having a production meeting where you have to balance and negotiate all the awesome creative ideas. 

 

Of what theatrical accomplishment are you most proud?

Offering artists an opportunity to be employed and flourish in their particular art passion.

 

Over the years, how you have participated in the ITA?

Current member of the Illinois Theatre Association, and previously served as the ITA Community Theatre Representative.  In 2010, I was honored to receive the Award of Excellence in Community Theatre.  During this particular time frame I was involved with Chairing two Illinois State Festivals and one American Association of Community Theatre Regional Festival.

 

Currently Serving on the ITA Planning Committee for the 2nd Bi-Annual Statewide Community Theatre Festival, which will take place at the beginning of November.  

In this capacity I'm looking forward to others experiencing the awesome artistic talent, networking, shared information, collaboration, and of course great fun and parties.

 

Why do you believe that community theatre is important?

Community Theatre is important because those who participate learn or enhance on skills such as memorizing, discipline, coordination, self confidence, etc., and those who attend a production can experience a moment where they can learn, laugh, contemplate, and enjoy a moment away from their busy schedule.  It's like going on vacation, reading a book, etc. Theatre is the greatest escape to relax and enjoy life.

 

Being part of both ITA and AACT has been very instrumental in enhancing my career, knowledge and networking in the realm of theatrical arts, and I enjoy sharing that information with others. 

 

Do you have any concluding thoughts?

Since I believe God created me I think my final journey is to use my time, talent and treasures to help others experience life to the fullest through God's gifting of theatrical arts.