Drama High: The Incredible True Story Of A Brilliant Teacher, A Struggling Town, And The Magic Of Theater (2013) - Plot & Excerpts
I have a theory that no matter how much high school sucked for us creatives, we each had at least one teacher that inspired us to keep doing what we’re doing. For me, it was Ms. Yu. She introduced me to the concept of feminism before I knew what to label it. She showed me that great literature could be subversive.For many high schoolers, that teacher was Lou Volpe. Sure, Sokolove does make some dramaturgical missteps — Frank Wedekind’s Spring’s Awakening isn’t the obscure text Sokolove makes it out to be. (Most theatre majors still study the text.) But Sokolove’s account of Volpe’s final year of teaching at Harry S. Truman High School in Levittown, Pennsylvania, and the years leading up to it is insightful and inspiring. A must-read for everyone who hated those teenage years. This is not Glee or Smash, it is the real deal. Go behind the scenes at Harry S Truman High School and meet Lou Volpe. Lou has taught high school drama and theater for over 40 years and his productions have put the school on the map. For anyone who has ever acted on a high school or college stage or for those who have ever done community theater, this is a great read. Volpe guides his students through rehearsals with tough love, never pulling punches, delivering the truth but receiving total respect and attention in return. Reading about the students striving toward excellence on the stage when they have it nowhere else in their lives is heartwarming and even occasionally thrilling. Follow Volpe and his troup through nerves, disappointments, thrills, struggles and successes. You'll be cheering them on and just like Volpe asking a little bit more than they think they can deliver--but they never disappoint.
What do You think about Drama High: The Incredible True Story Of A Brilliant Teacher, A Struggling Town, And The Magic Of Theater (2013)?
Amazing, uplifting bk. about a fantastic theater teacher, his students & his community. Just great.
—Jenna
This was a book club read. Parts were inspirational but overall it was a bit long.
—arrowmagnet
