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