THED Talks
THED Talks is a podcast for theatre teachers and theatre education students. Dr. Jimmy Chrismon, Theatre Education professor at Illinois State University, brings you stories and interviews from experienced K-12 theatre teachers, current theatre education majors, and professors of theatre education that will warm your heart, renew your faith in teaching, and provide resources to better your practice in your theatre classroom. Pour the coffee, relax, and join us for heart-warming conversations and practical advice from practitioners making a difference in students' lives each and every day!
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 55 minutes
- Episodes
- 255
- Years Active
- 2019 - 2025
5.3 A Conversation with Mark A. Zimmerman
This week Jimmy talks with Ohio theatre teacher Mark A. Zimmerman. He talks about his unique program, longevity in educational theatre, and the importance of the representation of diverse voices on o…
5.2 A Conversation with Jolaine Orlin
This week Jimmy talks with Illinois theatre teacher Jolaine Orlin. She talks about her Emmy-winning career in broadcasting, her love for the resistant student, and teaching theatre in a post-pandemic…
5.1 A Conversation with Dana Taylor
This week Jimmy kicks off Season 5 with Dana Taylor! Dana is a returning guest from season 2 and brings some great new information about the Backstage Exam, a partnership between USITT and EdTA. He …
4.36 A Conversation with Dr. Adam Carter
This week Jimmy talks with his husband Dr. Adam Carter, Clinical Director for the National Alliance for Children's Grief. He talks about the collective trauma and exhaustion we are all experiencing, …
4.35 A Conversation with Michael Avila
This week Jimmy talks with Texas theatre education professor Michael Avila. He talks about his time as an arts administrator, his theatre education program at The University of Texas at Austin, and c…
4.34 A Conversation with Maria Beilke and Jake Noble
This week Jimmy talks with two Season 3 alumni checking in on their student teaching experience this spring. Maria Beilke from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee and Jake Noble from Ball State …
4.33 A Conversation with Emily Hageman
This week Jimmy talks with Iowa theatre teacher and playwright Emily Hageman. She talks about creating new work with and for her students, the pros and cons of competition, and body-positive casting.…
4.32 A Conversation with Jackie Vetter
This week Jimmy talks with Montana teaching artist Jackie Vetter. She talks about her work in psychology and its influence on her theatre work, theatre camps, and new play development with Orphan Gir…
4.31 A Conversation with Kyle Holmes
This week Jimmy talks with Ranked: The Musical creator Kyle Holmes. He talks about the creation of the hit musical, starting a publishing company, and his desire to provide theatre that matters to yo…
4.30 A Conversation with Joey Yow
This week Jimmy talks with New Jersey theatre and film teacher Joey Yow. He talks about building a thriving middle school program, developing film classes, and his professional work and outreach with…
4.29 A Conversation with Catherine Del Castillo
This week Jimmy talks with New York teaching artist Catherine Del Castillo. She talks about how she was empowered as a young artist and educator, De-centering yourself in your work, and her work with…
4.28 A Conversation with Ben Patton and Chris Turner
This week Jimmy talks with two of his senior theatre education majors at ISU, Ben Patton and Chris Turner. They talk about the power of creative drama, forging your own path, and the lessons they hav…
4.27 A Conversation with Erik Whitehill
This week Jimmy talks with Arizona elementary music educator and musical composer Erik Whitehill. He talks about his passion for creating musicals for children, collaborations between music and theat…
4.26 A Conversation with Lorina Watts
This week Jimmy talks with Texas elementary teacher Lorina Watts. She talks about her passion for teaching little ones, building an elementary program from the ground up, and how to balance all the d…
4.25 A Conversation with Jeremy Jenkins
This week Jimmy talks with Ohio theatre teacher Jeremy Jenkins. He talks about creating a culture of community, revitalizing a program and designing new curriculum, and recognizing and celebrating th…
4.24 A Conversation with J.R. Willard-Rose
This week Jimmy talks with Illinois theatre teacher J.R. Willard-Rose. He talks about his influential theatre teachers, his expansive program, and work/life balance.
4.23 A Conversation with Robyn Needham
This week Jimmy talks with Texas elementary teacher Robyn Needham. She talks about writing original music and musicals, dramatic play, and classroom management with the little ones!
4.22 A Conversation with Emily Lewis
This week Jimmy talks with Alabama theatre teacher Emily Lewis. She talks about giving middle school students a chance to have a voice, providing technical theatre opportunities for middle school stu…
4.20 A Conversation with Rodrick Freitas
This week Jimmy talks with International School teacher Rodrick Freitas. He talks about his experiences around the world, lessons learned, and an alternative teaching experience for those wanting to…
4.21 A Conversation with Dustin Loehr
This week Jimmy talks with Dustin Loehr of the Arizona Department of Education. He talks about his work as a teaching artist and teacher prior to his current role, the need for theatre teachers to ha…