Speech Standards Portfolio Exercise #2: Interviews with Directors/Coaches Interviewee: Lori Timm Title: Drama Coach/English Teacher

School: Greenville High School 1. What area(s) are you responsible for? Theatre, Forensics Debate, Other Timm is currently responsible for theatre (i.e. drama club & directing school plays). She used to also be responsible for the forensics and debate programs until they were canceled due to budget cuts. She also used to teach speech classes until those were eliminated due to budget cuts as well. 2. What expectations exist regarding student opportunities to participate in theatre, forensics, debate, and other speech experiences in your district? There are no forensics or debate programs because they were eliminated due to budget cuts. However, the theatre program is up and running. Currently, the high school puts on two plays per year and the middle school does one. Unfortunately, GHS has been unable to participate in theatre competitions in recent years because those have been cut from the budget as well. 3. Do you believe the expectations within this district mirror those of other school districts in Michigan with which you are familiar? How so/Why not? Timm believes that GHSs expectations within the district mirror those of many districts (especially those in the immediate area) because cuts have had to be made to many budgets across the state. Unfortunately, the arts are frequently one of the first programs to feel the pain of budget cuts. 4. What documents or other resources are provided to students and their families who may have an interest in these activities? According to Timm, GHS uses student announcements, posters, monthly information packets/newsletters to parents, and theatre meetings during Channel One (student announcements & meeting) time.

5. What are the key steps in the process of directing the program for which you are responsible? Timm stated that the key steps of the process are as follows: choose the show to be presented, advertise auditions, hold auditions, cast the show, post the cast list, block the show, and run rehearsals and work with the cast. Timm also works closely with Chris Chapman, the auditorium manager, to design the set and develop lighting and sound plans. In addition, Timm works closely with the costume crew, props people, and other members of the crew throughout the production. 6. What workshops, seminars, conferences, events, or websites have been most helpful in preparing you to administer the program for which you are responsible? Timm points to her twenty-six years of practical experience as being the most helpful in administering the theatre program. She has also stated that the classes that she took in college were extremely helpful to her. Additionally, Timm indicated that forensics and debate workshops were helpful when she was in charge of those programs. 7. What news and other sources do you utilize to disseminate information regarding events and results relevant to the program for which you are responsible? Timm utilizes student announcements, the drama bulletin board in the hallway, the school website, drama club meetings, and the drama club Facebook page to disseminate information regarding events and results relevant to the theatre program.