Langley’s new theater teacher is no stranger to the spotlight. Before she became a drama teacher, Ms. Valerie Karasek, traveled all over the country performing on big name stages such as Broadway, Ford’s Theater, and Charles Playhouse . She was also featured in TV shows such as the soap opera “Days of our Lives”, “The New Adam-12”, “Simon and Simon”, and Season 8 episode 16 of “Cheers” with Kristie Alley. Now as a teacher, she is bringing her knowledge and experience to the classroom in order to create a fun, interactive, and informative class where students can grow as actors.
She started teaching ten years ago at Langley as an English teacher for a year, but then taught drama at Rocky Run Middle School, Marshall High School, and Falls Church High School.
“I always wanted to come back here and do drama, and when Ms. Jaffe retired that was my opportunity to come back because I loved working here,” she said.
During class, the theater students can be found in the auditorium where they can practice their projection, articulation, and overall stage presence.
“Being an actor on stage is different than film because your energy is a little bigger and your voice has got to be bigger so when we get to go to the auditorium students really get a sense of what it is like to perform on stage,” said Karasek.
In addition to experimenting on stage, students also learn the core elements of theater. Right now, the students are learning the basics, but soon, they will go into monologues, panamimes (technique of displaying emotions), scene study, character development, and modern methods of acting. They will also study theater history like Shakespeare and Commedia dell’arte.
“Ms. K is the best. And that’s coming from a kid who’s done every single theater show at Langley since her freshman year. Her teaching style is very hands on, she’ll explain a concept–usually using one of us to demonstrate–and then we’re up on our feet doing it,” said Senior Hayley Wenk.
Junior Hanna Hunt added, “My favorite thing we do during class would probably be the improvisation practice. It’s always fun to see people take risks and develop their acting technique.”
By the end of the year, Karasek hopes that what her students take away from her class is that acting, although hard, is a well-respected craft as well. She also wants theater and non-theater students alike to be aware of the opportunities such as plays and improv club that are available to them throughout the year so that they can experience an extension of the theater classroom. Currently, Karasek is directing the fall musical, “Little Women”, which is set to perform from November 14-16.
“I like sharing what I love with kids and when I see the passion in their eyes and their excitement about the arts, that makes me really excited to see them so excited about it,” said Karasek.