Michael Perkins, theatre teacher and technical director of the Sun Theater
Q: What were you doing before you started working here?
A: I have about a little over a decade of experience in nonprofit arts administration. I spent many years with Shakespeare St. Louis, growing their education programs, so I’ve been teaching after school, or short time workshops, summer camps, that kind of thing. I’ve also worked with pretty much every theatre company in the area, as an audio visual designer, so I’m designing video sequences, or sound design, a little bit of lighting, and then I have some set experience as well, so that all came together when I was looking for some full time work. So now I’m teaching full time, which is what I’ve always wanted to do…so I can bring a lot of nonprofit arts professional experience to Grand Center Arts Academy. And not even just the education background, but to apply that to a professional outlet. I’ve got not just connection, but have a little bit of know how as well.
Q: What is something that you want people to know about you?
A: I want people to know that they can come and talk to me about stuff. All of my spaces are positive inclusive spaces. I am a cis gay man, but that’s not just to say that only other folks can come talk to me, I have an open ear…I know that people have issues that are going on, so I want to be that open, inclusive, sympathetic ear, because I know this can be a kind of rough place, so I give everyone respect and I just ask that in return. Other thing I want people to know is that I’m a huge nerd, so any nerdy geeky stuff, I can definitely hold a conversation. If that’s not your thing, that’s fine. I just want everyone to have a positive learning experience…I work pretty darn hard. I’m usually one of the first people in the building and I’m usually one of the last to leave…you can usually find me in the shop, usually find me in my office in the Sun, or you can find me on the sixth floor. I’m not that hard to find. I’m probably somewhere in the theater, fixing something or picking up someones trash…or realizing the amazing potential of this building, and the student body.
Q: What is your long term goal for your students and your class?
A: My long term goal for students is to see them start to work professionally, to prepare them for the professional theater world. Well you don’t have to be in the theatre pathway, but I want to prepare them for the professional world, whether that’s in theatre, even if it’s in music, dance, or art, I will probably come into contact with you at one point. And so the purpose, especially of the upper grades, is to get you ready to tackle the world with your creativity, but also your work ethic. I want to develop in students the responsibility of coming into a space, and not just playing around, playing is a part of it, but knowing there is a time when we have to respect the space that we’re in. We’ve been giving this amazing privilege of being in this theater. And it may not be everything that we want it to be now, but lets appreciate what we have. So I expect a lot of work and dedication from the students that are in my classes, whether you are in the theatre pathway or not.
Q: What is something that you are looking forward to while you’re working here?
A: I’m looking forward to getting to know people. This is my first year here, and it’s my first full time teaching position, so I’m looking forward to seeing how people work, not only in my class but in the shows as well. And just seeing people in the hallways and getting to know everybody, and then they can get to know me. I want to be approachable, I want people to feel like they can come talk to me. Or if someone is falling a little behind, then knowing that when I get on someones back, they will see it for what is it. I don’t want it to come from a negative place, I want it to come from a positive place, with a positive angle.