Here at Arts Share Louisville, we tell stories that deserve to be told. Hannah Wemitt’s story is no exception. Hannah Wemitt is currently the Education Director at StageOne Family Theatre, but it has been a long journey to get there. She worked at the Kentucky Center of the Arts, then at MTL, and started working at StageOne when MTL and StageOne merged. She went to the College of Charleston, originally interested in visual arts and photography. In addition, she took some theatre classes in preparation for voiceover work and animation. Throughout college, she decided to switch gears and get a general performance degree, with a double major in scenic design. Out of college, she worked at the Kentucky Center of the Arts, then at MTL, and started working at StageOne when MTL and StageOne merged. Even though she is no longer working in scenic design, the skills that she acquired have really helped her teach and direct kids. “I still, in any project I do, use those special skills I learned in school.” Hannah answered.
Hannah has two children of her own. I wondered if her career in working with children helped her raise her own. She responded with all the lessons she has learned through both being a teacher and a mom. “Kids are resilient; kids crave a creative outlet. You don’t talk at kids; you talk to kids. They can handle a lot. Have patience. Clarity. Kids want to succeed. I love taking those lessons and spreading them across the pond of being a mom and being a teacher.”
For a lot of parents, acting and performance camps may seem like a waste of time. So, I asked Hannah what children learn from these camps. “Plain and simple,” she replied, “you’re learning a skill.” Hannah often tells kids that all the words in a script are on the page for a reason; even if you are just in ensemble you are still vital to the show. “Annie would be terribly boring if it were just Annie on stage.” She also mentions how self-awareness, confidence, and communication skills are all developed. “When a student walks away, I want them to have those skills, but not even really know that they have them.” Even if a student does not end up having career in the arts, these skills are still very advantageous to have in any field.
Unfortunately, a lot of arts education has a limited amount of funding to achieve Hannah’s goals. “It teeters constantly, between ‘Oh, were doing great!’ and ‘Okay, maybe were not,” Hannah laughs. This amount of uncertainty also occurs because StageOne is a nonprofit organization. “That’s the hardest part about nonprofits, regardless of what industry the nonprofit is in; it takes time and money to do something.”
Another big factor causing her goals to not come to fruition is COVID-19. StageOne has had to get creative to keep working with kids and teaching them theatrical skills, all while staying safe. “It’s very hard when the arts industry is probably going to be one of the last industries to come back, but it is the first industry that everybody goes to,” Hannah wisely states.
One of the things theatre is best at is adapting. Even before COVID-19, performing arts has always had to fight to stay relevant and make captivating content.
Even though all these factors have made it awfully hard for theatre to survive, as they say, the show must go on. “It has been a pleasure connecting with any of the kids I’ve gotten to work with.” Hannah says.
If you want to help Hannah on her mission, you can donate to StageOne through our website, or go to https://stageone.org/ for more information on camps and opportunities.