New episodes every Wednesday!
THED Talks

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!

Recent

March 25, 2025

7.31 A Conversation with Frank Barranca

This week Jimmy talks with New York theatre teacher Frank Barranca. He talks about his journey that led him to teaching, innovative ways to keep kids excited, and the importance of fun! *Explicit Language*
March 18, 2025

7.30 A Conversation with Diane Rawlinson

This week Jimmy talks with Illinois dance teacher/teaching artist/educator Diane Rawlinson. She talks about her wonderful career in performing arts education, utilizing your global community, and dreaming again.
March 11, 2025

7.29 A Conversation with Andrew Frey-Gould

This week Jimmy talks with New York administrator Andrew Frey-Gould. He talks about starting a thespian parent association, technology in the theatre classroom, and school administration and the arts.
March 4, 2025

7.28 A Conversation with Ildiko' Vojtek

This week Jimmy talks with Hungarian teaching artist Ildikó Vojtek. She talks about language and literature, challenges with theatre companies, and motherhood.
Feb. 26, 2025

7.27 A Conversation with Julia Cuppy

This week Jimmy talks with Southern Oregon theatre teacher Julia Cuppy. She talks about creating community, new play development, and culturally responsive theatre education.
Feb. 19, 2025

7.26 A Conversation with Jamie Monahan

This week Jimmy talks with Connecticut based teaching artist Jamie Monahan. She talks about the value of consent based practices, working with intimacy professionals, and the low level intimacy challenges in our students post-COVID.

Recent Blog Posts

June 30, 2024

Shining the Spotlight: Strategies for Increasing Faculty and Staff At…

School productions are a culmination of students' hard work and dedication, and having faculty and staff support adds tremendous value to the overall experience. However, engaging faculty and staff members in attending school productions can sometim…

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June 23, 2024

Tackling Sensitive Conversations: Addressing Body Odor Issues in Thea…

As theatre teachers, creating a safe and respectful environment is paramount. However, addressing sensitive topics like body odor can be challenging. While body odor is a natural occurrence, it can impact the experiences of both the individual and t…

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June 16, 2024

Behind the Curtain: The Unseen Effort of Theatre Teachers Who Make It…

In the world of theatre education, there are some teachers who effortlessly command the stage, making their job seem easy and seamless. However, behind their seemingly effortless performances lies a vast amount of planning, preparation, and dedicati…

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About the Host

Jimmy Chrismon, EdD Profile Photo

Jimmy Chrismon, EdD

Creator and Host

Dr. Jimmy Chrismon is a theatre educator with 17 years of experience in the public schools of North and South Carolina. He currently teaches full time as an Associate Professor of Theatre Teacher Education at Illinois State University. He was an adjunct theatre faculty member at Winthrop University and Central Piedmont Community College. He has acted, directed, designed, and produced professionally for 25 years. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre Education from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he was a North Carolina Teaching Fellow. He received his Master of Education Degree in Theatre Education from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He received his Doctor of Education Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Gardner-Webb University. He has also worked for The Children’s Theatre of Charlotte and The Lake Norman School of the Arts. He received the 2022 Johnny Saldana Award for Outstanding Professor of Theatre Education from the American Alliance for Theatre and Education. He has published articles in notable journals. His research includes effective theatre teachers, intimacy direction, wellness practices for theatre teachers, and trauma-informed practices in theatre education. He is a consent forward artist, an Intimacy Director., workshop leader, and guest speaker He currently resides in Bloomington, Illinois.
Dr. Chrismon’s acting credits include: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Lonely Planet, Doubt: A Parable, Company, The History Boys, Godspell, Shadow Box, The Baltimore Waltz, Tick, tick..Boom!, The Little Shop of Horrors, The Odd Couple, Children of Eden, Candide, The Miser, The Good Woman of Setzuan, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, The Altruists, The Crucible, Dracula, The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe, and others.
His directing credits include: Equus, Guys and Dolls, The Electric Baby, Seussical: The Musical, Godspell, Miss Nelson Is Missing, Rent, Spring Awakening, The Importance of Being Earnest, Children of Eden, Tarzan, Aida, All Shook Up, Grease, The Odd Couple, Lonely Planet, Interrupting Vanessa, Medea, the Wizard of Oz, A Raisin in the Sun, A Very Common Procedure, Geography Club, You’re a Good Man, Charlie, Brown, The Laramie Project, The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later, and others.
His Intimacy Directing credits include: Once on This Island, Newsies, This Bitter Earth, Bonnie and Clyde, Revolt She Said Revolt Again, The Flick, and Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind.
His professional affiliations include The American Alliance for Theatre Education, The Illinois Theatre Association, The Southeastern Theatre Conference, and The Educational Theatre Association.

Reviews

Thought provoking and joy filled

"This podcast never fails to make me smile and consider new ways of approaching my work. Dr. Chrismon and his guests help the world of theatre education feel smaller and more connected. I listen to ne…"

Emmamme | Feb. 10, 2020

Thank you!

"There are very few inspirational educational podcasts for drama teachers, to be honest this has been only one I found. Sound quality is good, and the pacing is excellent. The interviews are inter…"

KiKee Di | July 3, 2019

Inspiring and Useful

"I’ve never really been a podcast listener until recently. I have really been inspired by all of the podcast so for. I have listened and even responded to the podcast. Yes, I know they can’t hear me b…"

TheatreTitus | May 1, 2019

"Informative, fun and interesting. If you are a thoughtful person you will enjoy listening and also, if you are not a thoughtful person, you should listen just to hear the pleasant and soothing tone o…"

Heather Michelle | April 17, 2019

Amazing Resource!

"Listening to ThedTalks is all the wonderful things about visiting a colleagues classroom without giving up your lunch hour. Start listening right now!"

r_s_walker | Feb. 20, 2023

Thank you!

"I am a brand, new tech theater teacher, and your podcast. Helps me feel less alone in the world. Thank you thank you thank you!"

Kimnegrete | Jan. 17, 2024

The absolute best!

"THED talks is always informative, always interesting and so very human. It reminds me exactly why I love being involved in teaching theatre and keeps me company when I need a boost!"

Annalise | Feb. 13, 2024