Don’t Tell Me About Your Show

What happens when students stop simply learning about something and start stepping inside it?

For this special episode, we took Don’t Tell Me About Your Show on the road and set up shop at the Colorado Thespians Educator Conference with one simple invitation:

“What are you curious about?”

Instead of bringing guests with prepared answers or a carefully planned conversation, we invited conference attendees to drop in, sit down with us, and share whatever question, idea, tension, or wondering was on their mind.

And then Beau and Jesse tried something a little different: not answering.

Rather than solving the questions or positioning ourselves as experts, we explored what happens when we simply join someone in their curiosity. What might we discover if we resist the urge to provide the “right” answer? What questions become possible when we give ourselves permission to wonder together?

The result is a collection of short, spontaneous conversations about theatre education, students, teaching, leadership, creativity, and the things we’re still figuring out.

Because maybe good professional learning isn't always about finding answers.

Maybe sometimes it's about finding a better question—and having someone willing to be curious with you.

In this season premiere, Beau and Jesse dig into how students can be "tricked" into learning, exploring what it means for performing arts educators to lead with activities and have students name the why, rather than giving away the best discoveries. With their guest Amanda Waterhouse from Dunstan Middle School, they share stories, challenge some familiar assumptions, and consider how our work as educators can become more intentional, creative, and ensure we don't lose our joy.

Great theatre doesn’t just look good—it sounds good, too. In this minisode from the Colorado Thespians Technical Theatre Boot Camp, Beau and Jesse skim the surface of theatrical sound, with the essential tools, and problem-solving skills that bring the theatre to life in addition more confident programs.

Lighting can transform a stage, set the mood, and tell a story before a single word is spoken. In this minisode from the Colorado Thespians Technical Theatre Boot Camp, Beau and Jesse sit down with Kyle Stockburger from Green Mountain High School to talk about a day focused on theatrical lighting. From the basics of electrical signals to the skills needed to make a lighting system work, what stood out to Kyle—and what can theatre educators take back to their own programs? Let’s turn on the lights and find out.

The scenic shop is where big ideas become real—but it’s also where safety, planning, and good construction practices matter most. In this minisode from the Colorado Thespians Technical Theatre Boot Camp, Beau and Jesse chat with Anthony Sparks from Sagewood Middle School in Parker, Colorado, about a day focused on scenic shop safety, construction, and the power of a good ground plan. What stood out? What can theatre educators take back to their own shops? And how do we build better—and safer—spaces for students to create?

Safety and liability might not be the most glamorous parts of technical theatre—but they’re essential. Beau and Jesse chat with Melissa Carroll-Jackson after a day at the Colorado Thespians Technical Theatre Boot Camp focused on keeping educational theatre programs and venues safe. What did she learn? What stuck with her? And what should every theatre educator be thinking about? Let’s talk safety first, or third. 

In this episode, Beau and Jesse sit down with Lindsey Welsh of Arvada West High School to unpack the challenges and opportunities of assessment in arts education. Together, they explore how reflective practices can help arts programs measure impact, strengthen instruction, and ensure learning remains relevant and meaningful for students.

Beau and Jesse dive into the question of what sustains a long-term career in education and how to keep classroom instruction relevant and responsive to students in this moment. Through reflection and conversation, they explore what continues to motivate a veteran teacher of 33 years to return with purpose, passion, and a commitment to growth.

In this episode, Beau and Jesse sit down with longtime collaborator, friend, and mentor André Rodriguez for an honest conversation about the ongoing pursuit of life/work balance. Together, they unpack the wisdom, philosophies, and practical strategies that help theatre educators build sustainable practices, establish healthy boundaries, and thrive in a profession that often asks for everything. Join us as we reflect on what it means to stay passionate about the work—without losing yourself in it.