The Catskill Chronicle

Jeff Lackey, drama teacher at Monticello High School in his office.

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

MONTICELLO – Jeff Lackey, now in his second year teaching drama in
Monticello’s one-of-a-kind local drama and dance program, has a master’s in theatre arts from the University of Kentucky. He came to the county after a 25 year career as an actor in New York City and teaching at a performing arts high school in the Bronx for six years.

A few years ago, he and his wife Andrea Brown pulled up their city roots and moved to this area where they founded the Outsider Studio in Livingston Manor, a popular gallery that recently closed its doors but still lives on in various venues around the region.

“I encourage the students to create characters based on their own experiences, to stand in front of an audience and focus, and work with others on stage…in drama you can always find something for everybody,” said Lackey.

While some kids are academic stars, and others excel in sports, a lot of students find their niche and means of expression through acting and on stage, whether part of a technical crew or in front of the lights.

“They get to see their pieces come alive on stage…they learn life skills and it builds self-esteem, and they learn to trust their own judgment in interpreting characters,” added Lackey.

The first four weeks of the basic acting course are spent in pantomine – the use of gestures without words to present a play -  think Marcel Marceau – and then later students get to let their characters speak.

“They all write their own monologues, and learn to focus on what they are doing, not themselves, because if the actor gets in the way of the acting it’s not honest acting,” said Lackey. “I believe acting isn’t talking, it’s what comes before a character talks and what comes in between…they come out on the stage and talk to an imaginary person and something that’s very close to them. It’s what you are doing on stage that’s important. When you take the
curtain call, it’s about you.”

“I want to make drama cool for the kids,” said Lackey.

Pictured Top to bottom and left to right are Monticello High School students – Sherrie Dion, Matt Daitsman, Briana Cerbone and Autumn Rodrigues.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Making Drama Cool visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.