A Fresh Director Steps Onto Set: Jenks Drama Department’s Newest Teacher
By: Marie Catterson
In a room with black walls, ceilings, and floors, Allyson Blackshare manages to light up her classroom with her energetic teaching style and positive attitude. A Jenks Alumna and former OSU theatre student, she knows her way around a stage. Blackshare is young, fun, and full of energy. Just sitting in a room and talking to her could make anyone realize how she’s become a beloved teacher in such a short amount of time.
Her style of teaching is a welcome change for the Jenks drama students. She directs in a very open way, allowing her students to interpret the character in their own way. Actors have more freedom to adapt roles as they need, and her students say this challenges them to develop as actors and look deeper into the part they’re playing.
“She leaves more room for interpretation and creativity on our part, which I really enjoy,” said senior thespian Adilei Brown. “She’s very fluid and open to new ideas.”
Senior Elliott Mason said there’s a noticeable shift, but it’s a good change of pace and makes actors think outside the box.
“It’s definitely a big change. She’s more energetic about teaching…A big advocate for actors bringing their own ideas,” said Mason.
Teaching English at Bixby Middle School kicked off her education career. Fresh out of college with a major in elementary education and a minor in theatre, Blackshare had worked at Disney for a year before being offered a teaching position. A dramatic shift in careers, to say the least. Even after trying to resist the call to teaching, she was thrown into a world she was unsure if she even wanted to be in. But she took on the challenge and prepared to teach with little time to prepare for the year.
“I literally started three days before school. I didn’t have an email. I had one weekend to decorate my classroom. I had no idea what I was doing,” said Blackshare, laughing. “My first year was a mess. But I figured it out eventually, and I did a second year. I’m glad I did.”
Blackshare points at her actors, instructing improv exercises and giving helpful tips.
English gave her an intro to the education world, but her heart yearned for the stage. When she heard about a job opening at the place she fell in love with theatre, she jumped at the chance to take it. Blackshare was excited to take on the responsibility of changing a program that’s so close to her heart, though it’s surreal to her that she’s teaching at the place that helped shape her future. Was it intimidating to be on the other side of the learning process? Yes. Was she extremely ready to shape future thespians at the place she learned to love acting? Absolutely.
“I was like, put me in there, coach,” said Blackshare jokingly.
Her love for theatre extends beyond just performing. She pours her passion into teaching, hoping to inspire her students like her teachers did to her. Students are inspired by her fun teaching style. She allows them to make mistakes and even welcomes them. She says that’s how you develop into the best actor you can be; making mistakes is a crucial part of the learning process.
“I love teaching new concepts when it comes to acting. I’m very passionate about, like, every unit I teach, even basic stuff,” said Blackshare.
Mrs. Blackshare is excited to be directing the upcoming melodrama, Buckshots and Blossoms, her first Jenks production as the main director. Come support her and the Jenks thespians on December 11-13.
