Theatre through a Computer: A Critical Reflection of Online Teaching during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The following paper chronicles my experiences as a high school theatre teacher during the school closures and state shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic in the spring of 2020. The critical reflection identifies struggles and success in the areas of communication, participation and overall emotional and mental health of students and teachers, due to the environmental shift from in person to online learning. My school community (Dallas, TX) and personal pedagogical lens are described to help further contextualize the inquiries and conclusions of this reflection. It is important to note that this paper acknowledges the ongoing nature of the COVID-19 Pandemic and does not seek to provide permanent answers or solutions to an ever-evolving crisis. The aim of this paper is to reflect on my unique struggles and success as an online educator and to explore the impact of theatre on child development, specifically during times of traumatic crisis.