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Professor earns spotlight

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By MICHELE SAGER

msager@tampatrib.com

Published: May 20, 2009

TAMPA - An educator brought Broadway into the classroom to discuss controversial issues, and now her efforts have received national recognition.

Janet Scaglione, an associate professor of education at the University of South Florida, received the Broadway League's 2009 League Educator Apple Award. She is one of two educators nationwide to receive the honor.

The award honors local schools or community groups that support programs related to Broadway, promoting further development of theater education. The award highlighted Scaglione's partnership with the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center education program. She teaches a class called "Equity in School and the Workplace" and used Broadway shows at the center to tackles issues such as racism and sexism.

"We not only got a chance to see shows that deal with these issues, the students got a chance to talk to the actors who have to deliver the lines," she said.

Scaglione said when the students talked to the only black actress in the production of "Avenue Q," they learned the actress worried every night about delivering controversial lines before a predominately white audience.

"It became evident that though the cast performs this work that has the power to challenge our perspectives, our biases, our hidden agendas - the cast had not truly dealt with the very personal nature of such differences," she said.

She also required her students to use social networking tools to write reviews of the performances and their take on the issues.

"It gave the students a chance to reflect on their views and share their thoughts with each other," Scaglione said.

Sheri Whittington, community relations manager for the performing arts center, called Scaglione an innovative educator in the award application.

"This educator strongly believes in the power of the performing arts to change lives," Whittington wrote. "She has been a leader in ... creating distinctive, interactive, online learning environments for ... issues on diversity and cultural competence."

Scaglione now wants to expand her reach beyond her students. She has plans to create a work force development program similar to her classroom efforts.

"There needs to be a greater effort made to find ways that the performing arts experience can translate to the operational experience of the workforce," she said. "I have a model in mind and I'm currently looking for interested employers."

Companies interested in participating in the partnership can call Scaglione at (813) 974-0038.

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (727) 451-2344.

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