Meet RESPECT Lead Actor Educator: Mike Hale

What is your favorite RESPECT educational play?

My favorite play is Blake and Andy! From our first read through, we had so much fun rehearsing and performing that scene. Plato the parrot is my favorite coworker by far. All of the silly little bits we added prior to the fundraiser really brought the scene to life.

What is the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is feeling an immense amount of responsibility for these students. I feel I’m finally in a place where I get to use all of my strengths and talents. Expression is a beautiful thing. Being a steward of arts is something that is constantly on my mind. I want to protect and educate the children in my community and this position has given me a great opportunity to do so.

What is the best part of your interactions at RESPECT programs?

My favorite part of the interactions at RESPECT is the amount of positivity and acceptance that is evident in the culture here. The arts should be protected viciously. At any time of uncertainty, expression is extremely important. It fills my cup to see community in action. Connection, understanding, and trust are always at the forefront of my interactions with people in this RESPECT community.

What is something that you’ve learned by being part of RESPECT?

One thing that I have learned being a part of this program is the importance of listening. Especially as a performer, I am guilty of being more concerned with being heard than listening. I like to think of myself as a facilitator not an instructor. It is my job to make conversation/discussion easier, not stand on a soapbox and lecture the students.