We recently connected with Bonnie Marshall and have shared our conversation below.

Bonnie, appreciate you joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I learned to direct plays and teach high school theatre through the guidance of mentors, through the experience of being “thrown into the pool,” and through careful study and observation. I was a High School English Teacher who loved literature and teaching when the theatre teacher in my school moved to a different job. She was an award winning legend in our school and in our state. She asked me to take over the program when they had trouble finding another teacher. With great trepidation about my abilities to follow in her footsteps, I accepted the role–partly due to the students who begged me, partly due to the fact that the principal said we would lose the program if they didn’t find a teacher, and largely due to the fact that I genuinely love the performing arts–not as a performer but as a observer/recipient of the emotions it stirs and the lessons it teaches. That was 40 years ago. I survived and thrived. I ended up with one of the strongest programs in the state, served many years on the board of the Georgia High School Theatre Conference, and even made it into their Hall of Fame. In hindsight, I don’t think I would speed up the learning process. Those early years when I had to struggle to pull together all the resources and knowledge were invigorating and rewarding. The most essential skills I had were the skills of problem-solving, flexibility, and understanding the text and subtext– skills that I practiced every day as an English teacher. Time, financial resources, and administrative demands are the biggest obstacles that stand in the way of learning/doing more, but you can always find a way if you are motivated. I left the classroom in 2006 and spent the next 12 years working for the State Department of Education as a resource for teachers in Secondary Education (Advanced Academics, Gifted Ed, and the Fine Arts). During that time I also became involved as a director in the local community theatre; and since I retired in 2018, I have served on the board of the local community theatre, currently serving as President. It’s the community theatre founded in 1976 by my first mentor who talked me into taking over her job in 1983. I guess I’ve come full circle.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I probably put some of this in the previous answer, but I’ll summarize here. I came into teaching High School Theatre as a High School English Teacher. I spent 27 years as a High School English Teacher and 21 of those years I also taught high school theatre. I co-directed an all-county show choir for 15 years. I also served on the board for the State Theatre Conference for 20 years. For the last 15 years, I have been active as a director and board member for our local Community Theatre, The New Depot Players. During the 12 years I spent at the Georgia State Department of Education, I worked with Advanced Placement teachers, Fine Arts teachers, and Gifted teachers across the state developing workshops and curriculum resources. I guess I’m most proud of the number of my former students who have made the creative/performing arts their careers and who count me as one of their mentors. I’m also proud of the fact that the community theatre where I now work (volunteer) is thriving in its 48th season and also funds multiple scholarships each year to high school seniors who plan a career in the performing arts or in technical theatre.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Arts Education from an early age! Obviously, I am a life-long educator and value the role of teachers in our society. I feel that the school curriculum needs to always offer multiple forms of arts education to its students from an early age and all the way through high school and beyond. It should include stand alone courses, curriculum infused lessons, and as community resources available to all ages. The role that the arts play in our lives is invaluable. It helps us understand our culture, appreciate the cultural history of others, develop problem solving skills, and can even help bring communities together in a positive way.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

..being being able to tap int0 the timeless and universal beauty of the soul of mankind. There is so much in the world that we hear and witness every day that is discouraging, depressing and often times horrific. We need something to remind us that we as humans can create things of beauty, lessons of understanding, and visions of hope.

Contact Info:

• Website: thenewdepotplayers.com

Image Credits
personal photo