At the Colorado Thespian Educator Conference, a panel of theatre teachers and directors discuss how they keep growing in their many roles—educator, director, tech lead, and administrator. They explore mindset, vulnerability, embracing failure as a first attempt at learning, and practical steps like seeking training and building collaborative teams.

Highlights include strategies for balancing people and production, celebrating successes, journaling and reflection, asking for help, and protecting personal values to sustain a long-term career in theatre education.

In this episode of "Don't Tell Me About Your Show," hosts Beau and Jesse sit down with theater teacher Barbra Stricker to break down how she launches a middle‑school theatre class. They cover her sensory‑focused classroom setup, clear routines (including warm calls and a clip check‑in), low‑risk passion projects, rehearsal etiquette, and tricks for handing ownership to students.

Listen for practical, classroom‑ready strategies to create safety and accountability from day one, streamline transitions, and build a program where students lead and the class effectively runs itself.