Giving Healthy Feedback in Theatre
Make it Sparkle Video with Laurilea McDaniel
Theatre Director and Educator
3:07 (runtime)
Director’s Notes -
In the enlightening video "Giving Healthy Feedback in Theatre," Theatre Director and Educator Laurilea McDaniel, along with Theatre Inspires Host Mitch Stark, delve into the nuanced art of providing constructive feedback within the creative space. Drawing on their experience and recent workshops, they explore the impact of feedback on artists and share insightful strategies for fostering growth, maintaining curiosity, and encouraging self-expression.
Laurilea emphasizes the timeliness and efficiency of feedback, referring to valuable research from the Kennedy Center on strategies to ensure students remain receptive and don’t shut down.
Highlighting the personal nature of art, she underscores the potential long-lasting effects of feedback, advocating for an approach that fosters openness and avoids shutting down the artist.
Laurilea reveals plans for touring and discussing strategies on giving practical feedback, recognizing the natural intuition teachers often have—but also emphasizing the importance of reminders.
She stresses the significance of keeping students curious by asking questions about their art, allowing them the space to explain deeply, instead of merely praising.
The conversation points out the necessity for specific feedback, as generic compliments, while pleasant, do not offer artists direction for growth or areas to improve upon.
About Laurilea McDaniel
Laurilea McDaniel is the Executive Director for Front Range Theatre Company and the Visual & Performing Arts Facilitator for Colorado Springs School District 11. This is her 19th year in education and she has taught all levels from kindergarten to college. She holds undergraduate degrees in Theatre, Journalism and Education, and a master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction for Secondary Theatre Education from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. She is also a Freddie G. Fellow, Class of 2017. She passionately believes in the power of the arts and how transformative they can be. Everyone has a story worthy of being heard. Arts programs encourage confidence and give students a voice!