About RAP!

My name is Ray Palasz (whose initials spell RAP, though I can't really perform that genre well!) , and I am a twenty-year veteran of the theatre and writing classroom.  Through the years I have coached hundreds of students in college-level composition, as well as coached scores of students in a variety of theatre events:  college and community theatre auditions, Thespys, and even post-college interviews.  My expertise in what it takes to get students to the next level is something I want to share with more teachers and their students!

EDUCATION

MA, Rhetoric and Composition, 2012
Purdue University Calumet (now Purdue University Northwest)
          Thesis:  “Stdnt wrtg in the age of txspk: A pilot study of the prevalence of txtspk in formal student writing” 

BA, English Education and Theatre and Television Arts, 2003
Valparaiso University
Honors:  Christ College Associate (Interdisciplinary Honors College); Lumina Award, College of Arts and Sciences junior year magna cum laude standing

      Independent Study:  Medieval Mystery Plays in Interdisciplinary Learning

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• Educational Theatre Association, 2005-present

  • Member of the Indiana Thespians Adult Executive Board, 2006-2017

  • Co-Chapter Director of the Indiana Thespians, 2018-present

• United States Institute of Theatre Technology, 2006-present

• National Council of Teachers of English, 2001-2016

• Alpha Psi Omega (national college theatre fraternity), 2001-2003

  • Vice President/Webpage Manager, 2002-2003

EDUCATIONAL THEATRE EXPERIENCE

July, 2016-Present

Munster High School

Auditorium Director; Munster Theatre Company Producer/Director

• Manage the use of the Munster Auditorium by in-house, in-district, and rental clients

• Advised and oversaw maintenance projects in the auditorium

• Trained and coordinated a student technical staff to work events

• Directed 3 scripted productions each year, serving as both an acting director and a technical director

• Coached students and productions to Regional, State, and International Recognition

• Collaborated with the Theatre Faculty to create a co-curricular program that spans grades 7-12

July, 2004-June, 2016

Lake Central High School

English/Theatre Faculty; Thespian Director

• Instruct students in standards-based literature and composition courses

• Created and taught Technical Theatre and Advanced Technical Theatre

• Rechartered and Directed Thespian Troupe #2536 

• Coached students and productions to Regional, State, and International recognition

• Participated in over two dozen school productions in various capacities

2004-Present

Indiana Thespians, Educational Theatre Association

Chapter Executive Board Member

• Managed a team of volunteers who coordinated regional and state conferences, 2017-present

• Ensure that EdTA objectives are being carried out at the Chapter level

• Build and strengthen the Indiana network of schools participating with EdTA and Indiana Thespians

• Coordinated performance-based activities for the state conference, 2012-2016

• Coordinated entire statewide conference, 2009-2012

• Attended national leadership summits

• Doubled participation in Regional and State conferences over four years

 2017-2019, 2021-Present

Educational Theatre Association

Nominating Committee Member

• Connected with potential candidates for EdTA elections

• Collaborated with other Committee Members on slating candidates

WORKSHOPS/CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

September, 2022

Educational Theatre Association Theatre Educator Conference

No Intermission:  Combining Middle and High School Theatre Programs

2021-2022

Theatre Ave. "Make it Sparkle" Interviews

• Directing You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

• Directing Hairspray

June, 2015-July, 2016

Theatrefolk Publishing (www.theatrefolk.com)

• Podcast recordings

  • Utilizing student designers (2016)

  • Directing the Non-Traditional Play (2015)

• Developed a Drama Teacher Academy tutorial on using Sketchup in the classroom, 2016

2006-2016

Lake Central High School Theatre Courses

• Technical Theatre

  • Developed a one-year curriculum introducing all areas of technical theatre and design

• Advanced Technical Theatre

  • Developed a one-semester, repeatable curriculum for students to further develop design skills

  • Realized designs based on the school’s season