President-Elect
Professor Fred March. I want to express condolences to my friends and colleagues from Texas State, formerly Southwest Texas State University, for the loss of their mentor and great guiding light who was a tremendous force in TETA. When reading through the most recent Articles of Incorporation of TETA, Inc. (from 1978) you will find Mr. March’s signature, evidence of his incredible leadership in this organization. When talking to past Presidents from years back you will learn that all of TETA’s records are stored at SWT…why? Because that is where Fred March was, and that was who took responsibility for our organization and its history.
Fred March’s program trained some of the greatest theatre educators I know. People like Missy Head, Kelly Russell, Mike Doggett, Ronnie Watson, Paula Rodriguez were all trained at Southwest Texas. I name these people out of the hundreds from SWT because they are evidence of Mr. March’s impact in my own life. When I moved to Texas from Wisconsin in 1992 to teach theatre, these SWT grads took me under their wing, taught me how the system in Texas worked and also made sure I was not isolated and alone in West Texas. I experienced first-hand the giving, generous and caring teachers he raised at SWT, and that makes me admire him greatly. My heart aches for my friends and the loss of their mentor. Fred March, you will be greatly missed, and your tremendous contributions to theatre education are deeply appreciated. You have touched many lives and the ripple effect of your life’s inspiring work will be felt for generations.
Mrs. Marilyn Miller. If you did not have the pleasure of knowing the classy, sassy educational theatre goddess Marilyn Miller I hope you will read on in this article. You need to know something about Marilyn because she is a huge part of our organization’s history. Marilyn was the first high school teacher, and the first woman to ever become President of TETA. She was a true groundbreaker, a true inspiration and an incredible human being. Marilyn was a friend and confidant to countless students, teachers and colleagues. As I sat to write this I just couldn’t put into words what I, and countless members, are feeling. And then I got a text from Rachel Smith telling me: “Go to Marilyn’s Facebook Page.” So I did. There I found post after post honoring her, her life and her work.
And there was one post that did it for me. It broke the flood gates, and as I read it tears streamed down my face, not only because someone I had looked up to for so long was gone, but because even posthumously she was still inspiring us through the voices of her students. I asked Paul Murello if I could reprint his letter here and he gave permission. Please read this as it is a true testimony to what a great teacher is and to what Marilyn Miller will always be….
For Mrs. Miller
By Paul Murello on Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 2:05pm
Visiting Ms. Miller wasn’t an event, but it was always an occasion.
Since leaving Cy Creek, I had made a habit of stopping in when I could to see Ms. Miller. The last time was earlier this year while on break from work. I came in during the final period of the day – is there anything better in this world than 6th period theater? – and saw her at her desk, helping one of her kids with a scene. Then, as she saw me, she jumped up, screamed in excitement (effectively stunning the class into silence), pushed the former object of her attention aside, and hugged me saying, “Thank GOD you’re here! I was just about to start killing people!”
Over the past 14 years, this had been a common practice – the scream, the hug, the random threat of violence – all of it. And it was great. Walking into that classroom for me was like walking into Christmas, walking into Grandma’s kitchen. Walking into that classroom was coming home for a bit.
This is how it was for all of us. When you were in class with Ms. Miller, all of a sudden, no matter what was happening outside you were accepted. You were respected. You were celebrated, but never coddled. You were loved.
I think this only amplified after we left. For me, I knew that Ms. Miller would be someone that I would always keep in touch with when, during my freshman year of college I received the following card: "Dear Paul. Congratulations on making it through your first semester of college without failing or becoming a male stripper. Love, MM" What can I say... she knew me.
On my visits, Ms. Miller always brought out her diary – that book she tried to remember to have all of us sign when we came to call. Like a proud mom, she’d sit there with me and talk about all of her students and what they were doing. Some had gone on to be actors, dancers, singers. Some had become teachers. Some were parents. Some were bankers or lawyers. A lot kept in touch, and they all made her smile.
It pains me more than I can say that I won’t be able to be there with my friends and classmates to say goodbye to this amazing woman who has had such an impact on all of us. I know that each of us will have our own memories of her. For me, I will always remember that last visit. As we hugged to say goodbye, she earnestly took me by the shoulders, looked me in the eyes and said, “Paul, I can’t support Glee. I think you know why.” Then, she got in her car and as she pulled away she rolled down the window and told me, “I love it when you guys are happy!”
Thanks Ms. Miller for my smile. You will be missed.
Professor Gary Burton. I did not have the pleasure of knowing Professor Burton but his students from various universities around the nation, including our very own Texas A& M University-Commerce, speak volumes as they mourn the loss of their teacher and friend. To our colleagues at TAMU-C we grieve with you. Here are some quotes from students:
"I just wished I had the words to write how much he shaped me as an artist and as a person. . . Gary was the person who ignited my imagination and taught me how to draw, paint, sew, dream, and create. He saw the potential in me and fostered it.”
"Like so many others. . . Gary helped convince me that theatre was where I belonged. He helped shape me as a theatre artist and was the person that convinced me I needed to pursue sound design as my main focus, so he is literally responsible for where I am today. He was always helpful, always funny and one of the most pleasant human beings ever put on this earth."
"Gary had a way of making you feel like you were always appreciated."
"One of the many things I learned from Gary was to trust myself."
"I remember the costume design classes with Gary. He was a wonderful instructor and a phenomenal designer. He made the subject truly come alive. I wanted to do the work, I loved learning from him."
"At the very darkest, bleakest time in my life, Gary Burton gave me hope. . . Gary most especially made me feel like I was not alone and that he understood what I was going through. . . Like all who knew him, I will miss Gary more than words can express."
Ms. Alma Slawinski. I did not have the pleasure of knowing Ms. Slawinski by anything but her incredible reputation. She was such a force in Theatre Education in Texas; I wish I had known her. Here are some of the amazing things her past students have to say about her:
“Alma Slawinski was my theatre teacher at Lamar Consolidated. She is my all time fav! She will be missed by so many students that she touched. Just so you know she was the Best theatre teacher in Texas. There is an award given out each year by the high school directors to the best theatre teacher in the state and her name is the name of the award! I am blessed to have been taught by her! Ms. S was one very awesome person. I owe her so much!”
“She was a blessing in our lives back then! Like a second mother to us in school! We were lucky to have her as a teacher! Love you Mrs. S!! ♥”
“She was such a tremendous presence at the school. Even if you didn't have her she still managed to have an impact on you. She will be missed.”
“The thing I loved most about Mrs. Slawinski, during swing choir or musical auditions, she was always the voice of reason during my years: she stood alone and proud many times! For those of us Mrs. Slawinski stood up for, I am proud to say she won my heart.”
These four souls who dedicated their lives to theatre and to education will be greatly missed. As we listen to their students’ statements, it reminds us of the important, life-changing work we strive to do every day. I am so grateful for these amazing individuals and for all of our members who have dedicated their lives that kids can experience art and in the process experience deeper empathy and a richer life!