Many students have taken Drama classes with Mr. Large, but how well do you know him? Perhaps after this interview, you will know him a bit better.
How long have you been teaching at Wayland Middle School?
About 15 years, but before that I taught at the high school for 3 years.
When did you start to take an interest in performing?
In 6th grade, when I was in a theatre camp.
What plays do 6th and 7th graders do? How do you choose?
7th graders do forty-five minute long Shakespeare plays. Usually it will be a play with lots of action, because they usually like to run around a lot.
8th graders will perform a wide variety of scenes from modern plays, and they often get to choose their own scenes.
Why don’t 6th graders put on plays in drama class?
They only have nine classes, and that isn’t enough to prepare/perform a whole play.
Do you do anything with theatre out side of WMS?
Yes. I recently finished a play called Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, at the Concord Players. We performed for about three weeks.
Why did you choose to teach drama?
I originally was an English teacher, but when the theatre was built, I moved into the drama job.
Do you have a favorite play that you directed here?
Hmmm. It is hard to pick just one!
What advice do you give to an aspiring actor/actress?
Well, the actors/actresses I know who have succeeded have been very committed, and they got as much experience as possible.
Do you have any favorite moments that happened during a play here?
Yes! Once, I staged a comedy, and it is supposed to end with about two dozen people chasing each other across the stage. In a previous scene, we had to use white powder, and some had fallen onto the stage. That made it end with two dozen people falling and sliding across the stage. It was terrifying…and hilarious!
By Lauren Simon