Theater professor finds the unusual in life
David Sidwell, a professor in the theater arts department, was recently appointed as state representative for the American Alliance for Theater and Education.
“Basically what that means, is that I represent them and serve as a central resource for arts and education advocacy. So hopefully by announcing this, I can network with other agencies and be an advocate for drama as well as visual arts and music,” Sidwell said.
At Utah State University, Sidwell teaches most of his classes in theater education. They include storytelling and performance of children’s literature.
Sidwell said, “I was a lowly graduate student and I studied theater arts but some of my other supporting degrees include cultural anthropology and education. This mixes well with storytelling and theater. Theater is an art with people and their daily lives.
“I see my profession as a giant bubble full of wonderful things,” he said. “It’s certainly an all-encompassing art form. I love my job because many art forms come together: Teaching, directing, telling stories and research … I get to do it all.”
“I help teach students how to have drama in class,” he said. “I teach tools in class to better understand literature and make learning fun. Most of my job is training secondary education teachers.”
Sidwell said his favorite part of teaching is “the wonderful students of course. I am lucky enough to have top-notch students. It’s a joy to go to class.
“My students plan much of what we do in class,” Sidwell said. “I enjoy watching them take the ball and run.”
“I really wanted to come [to USU] because I have family around,” Sidwell said. “I also like the view of Utah State. I like the view they have toward education and the well-rounded view toward theater. They are lovely people to work with.”
He has directed shows at USU including “Holiday Memories” and “Princess and Peasants.”
On the side Sidwell enjoys hiking, fishing and reading, and wishes he had more time for gardening, he said.
“I am really excited because I have a unicycle coming in the mail,” Sidwell said. “I will just have to suffer through the bruises. Life’s many achievements come through bruises.
“I am a semi-professional storyteller,” Sidwell said. “My wife and I sing songs and tell stories.”
In the future, Sidwell hopes to accomplish “great things. I imagine my work as a state representative will network me with a lot of other organizations. It will be nice to get to know them and see what they are doing. I envision myself simply being a consultant and being helpful.”
He is currently working with the Utah Festival Opera Company as well as the Storytelling Guild.