Jim Johnson

MULTIPLE METHODS HELP JOHNSON REACH STUDENTS

Who says you can’t teach an experienced actor new techniques? Jim Johnson, associate professor in the School of Theatre & Dance and a Teaching Excellence Award recipient, has wowed both practiced thespians and stage novices with his knowledge of voice, speech and dialects.

“I have been acting for 20 years and was still able to learn many new skills from his instruction,” said one of Johnson’s student nominators.

To effectively reach all of his students, Johnson employs diverse instruction methods, including an exercise using pillows to explain phonetics.

“Not every student will respond to the same approach, so I seek to present them with several adaptable methods rather than simply imposing an indoctrination upon them,” Johnson said.
Recipients of the award receive a trophy and a $5,000 check.

Mike Emery
Staff writer