Although plays and movies are generally reviewed on a five star rating scale, Mrs. Dawn Whitehurst’s impact on RMA far exceeds anything that can be measured. Coming to RMA in Winter/Spring 2016 to direct the High School spring musical, Mrs. Whitehurst’s kind, caring, and hilarious personality quickly made her well-loved by all of the “drama kids,” myself included. Anyone who was in Godspell in 2016 knew of her upbeat, loving personality, from telling us the story of how a clown scarred her for life to enthusiastically encouraging us to move out of our comfort zone. There wasn’t a dry eye on the final night of Godspell, in the audience or on stage. As Godspell is intended to bond a cast, it bonded us with our beloved director, Mrs. Whitehurst, as well.

By Fall 2016, Mrs. Whitehurst not only became the teacher of the Upper School Drama class elective, but also brought back Middle School Fall plays with the production of Narnia.  I sadly was not a part of this production, but I was allowed backstage before showtime and can say firsthand that the love the high schoolers feel for Mrs. Whitehurst was undoubtedly mutual in regards to the middle schoolers’ love for her. Kids I had never heard speak a word blossomed on stage portraying characters from the Narnia books by C.S Lewis. As someone who Mrs. Whitehurst helped to find her voice, this was especially sweet and meaningful for me to see. If that wasn’t enough, as soon as Narnia was over, Mrs. Whitehurst jumped to directing the lower schoolers in their Christmas production, Santa Gets an iPad, which was one of the funniest grade-school productions I’ve ever seen. Unsurprisingly, the lower schoolers obviously adored Mrs. Whitehurst’s instruction as well.

Although I didn’t think a play would ever come close, Mrs. Whitehurst proved my thoughts wrong with choosing You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown! for the Upper School 2017 Spring musical. Not only was this play a spin on an old favorite for the audience members, but it was equally as enjoyable to act in. No one will ever forget now-junior Chandler Gazaway’s coordinated dance with now-alumni Lindy Pittman and Anna Scott Wingfield where he was a bunny, complete with bunny ears and a tail, and they the bunny catchers. Also, there’s a forever shout-out to now-sophomore Vivian  Rogers, with whom I got into my first stage-fight with.

Moving into the 2017-2018 school year, Mrs. Whitehurst has been busy with directing Charlotte’s Web and preparing for the Christmas Concert on the 12th of this month. Not only that, but Mrs. Whitehurst is in charge of the Yearbook this year as well as being the interim lower school art teacher. Looking toward the spring, students and adults alike are eagerly anticipating the Upper School Spring musical, Grease.

Throughout the past few years, Mrs. Whitehurst’s impact has been monumental, sprinkling her sunshine-y personality on everyone she has come in contact with. Not only does she encourage her students onstage, dubbed our “drama mama,” but she gives us advice applicable to everyday life. She’s believed in us even before we might have believed in ourselves. “Happiness is” having Mrs. Whitehurst as a drama teacher and director. “Day by day” I am grateful to her for being such a “good [wo]man” and I can’t wait to “shake it at the high school” spring musical, Grease, in spring 2018 with her as the director.

To learn more about Mrs. Whitehurst, please read the interview below!

1. What made you first get into acting/directing? The summer before 8th grade, I attended a theater camp, we did Broadway songs and skits. It was so much fun that I never wanted to stop. I’ve participated in school plays and community theater ever since. My directorial debut happened around 5 years ago. My good friend was the director of our local community theater. She was getting burned out and asked if I would like to try directing. I reluctantly agreed, as long as the show was small, non musical, and had no children. It turned out to be Narnia. A musical with 37 kids and 20 musical numbers. The show was kind of a train wreck, but I was hooked. I even reprised the show here at RMA with slightly better results. I really do love directing, and kids, and even musicals.
2. Please tell us a little bit about the infamous Duck. Ah Duck, where do I begin…Duck is a rescue cat that belongs to my son. She has quite a following on Facebook, due to her facial expressions and her misadventures. She likes to get in my oven when it’s on, my dishwasher and any container left unattended. She has a passion for plastic grocery bags, and had nearly suffocated many times trying to either eat them, get inside them, or becoming entangled in the handles while trying to fight with them.
3. Besides theater, what are some of your other favorite hobbies? I used to have hobbies, then I went to work at RMA…I vaguely remember liking to read.
4. What do you feel like is your spirit animal? My spirit animal is a human, and her name is Anna Penwell.
5. What is your favorite play to act in? What is your favorite play to direct? My favorite play that I have acted in is a play called Crimes of the Heart and my favorite plays that I have directed are A Christmas Carol and Godspell. I like those because I can take artistic license with them and add a little personal touch and humor.
6. What is your favorite quote from a play? My favorite quote is from Steel Magnolia’s: “If you can’t say anything nice about anybody…come sit by me”
7. When you were a little girl, who was your hero? When I was a little girl my hero was Harriet Tubman. When I was in third grade, I read her biography 5 times. She rocked.
8. What would you tell your 17-year-old self if you could talk to her now? I would tell my seventeen year old self to do all the exciting and adventurous things you can now. If you wait, you will never do them.
9. What is your least favorite song? What is your favorite song? My least favorite song is anything by Eric Church. I have so many favorites, but I always love “Dear Prudence” by the Beatles and “L.A Woman” by the Doors.
10. Who is your favorite fictional person/character? Favorite fictional character is Boris from the book The Goldfinch.

The reviews are in! See what some of the other “drama kids” have to say about Mrs. Whitehurst!

“Mrs. Whitehurst is greatest thing to happen to this school.  She’s been a kind and motherly figure to all the drama students.  I will miss her a lot when I graduate and would come back and visit her every day if I could.” — Joe Cockrell (12)

“Mrs.Whitehurst is definitely like a mom to anyone who gets to know her. She is always willing to help and is honestly just so loving as well as caring. She is my “theater mom” and I could not imagine my time at RMA without her.”– Gabby Hickman (11)

“Mrs. Whitehurst is honestly the best drama teacher and she is so caring! I love her!” — Caitlin Meffen (7)

“Mrs. Whitehurst is like another mom for everyone in drama. She’s fantastic and one of the best teachers of RMA.” — Mason Kolesar (9)

“Mrs. Whitehurst is the best drama teacher I could have ever asked for. She has given me so many memories the past three years not only because she is my teacher and director, but also because she’s my friend.” – Anna Penwell (12)

“Mrs. Whitehurst has given me opportunities I never would have had before. She has helped me gain great experiences that I will never forget. Mrs. Whitehurst is so friendly, kind, and helpful all the time.” — Ezra Moore (7)

“Having Mrs. Whitehurst be my first real introduction into theater, she has made me fall in love with it. She has consistently made every play here since I’ve been involved fun and memorable in her own wonderful, spunky way, and I can’t wait to spend Grease together with her this year.”– Lauren Seale (12)

“Mrs. Whitehurst is one of the best theater and drama teachers I’ve ever had. She is always nice and chill and really enjoys her job. I will be very sad after this year because I won’t have her as a theater director again.” — Joseph Petruzziello (12)

“Mrs. Whitehurst is so sweet to everyone. When we were practicing for Charlotte’s Web, I couldn’t wait to go to play practice after school. I am so glad that she is here at this school.” — Adrienne Mosley (6)

“Mrs. Whitehurst is one of the kindest people I know. Even though I’ve never had her as a “teacher,” per se, she has taught me so much as a director. She has a knack for making everyone around her feel welcome. I can’t wait to participate in more shows with her because she makes everything fun!” — Emory Pittman (9)

“Mrs. Whitehurst is a fun and outgoing friend. She is so much more than a teacher. The first day I was at this school she welcomed me with open arms and my bond with her is the only thing of hers I haven’t broken.” — Johnhenry Wirman (12)