Mr.

Long,

I don’t think I’ve ever met someone as passionate and dedicated and caring as you. It’s
been an absolute privilege being your student for three years of high school and as I’m entering
a fourth. I had no idea when I signed up for theatre two how big of an impact theatre would have
on my life because of the program you have built for so many kids just like me.
You give us a place of comfort. The theatre room has become more like a home to me
than a classroom. Which is a strange thing, most kids would probably shudder at the idea of
spending 5 extra hours at school. But somehow I end up leaving my house 10 minutes earlier
than I need to just so I can be in that space. I feel completely safe there. And the theatre
program has supported me in so many ways, through you and other kids and life experiences. I
remember one day in probably february of my Junior year coming to school in the morning and
feeling so confused and depressed about my future and how I’m currently living my life. I literally
remember writing in my journal that day that I just “didn’t know why I couldn’t make a decision in
my life and I was so scared about my future because I felt like I was totally average in
everything.” Then I walked into proco and I was expecting to do a rehearsal for follies, but I sat
down and you came out of your office and started talking to us about HOW IT’S OK THAT WE
CAN’T MAKE DECISIONS AND IT’S NOT WORTH IT TO TRY AND THINK ABOUT WHAT
LIFE “COULD’VE BEEN.” This was the day of our carrots and celery discussion, and we
listened to the road you didn’t take about 5 times. I mean come on. I don’t even understand how
that happened but it was the most amazing thing in the world.
You have taught me so many things about life. Thank you for letting us talk and discuss
in class. And for caring about your students lives. It really is such an amazing quality in a
teacher. I hope you know that as your students, we often talk about how theatre has changed us
for the better and what we can learn about ourselves and each other. I give full credit for those
discussions to you. Because you’re the mastermind behind what we learn and the way you
teach is influential.
Now I’m actually very disappointed that this letter isn’t the quality of writing that I
imagined in my head. And I definitely don’t know fully how to even describe the way you have
impacted my life. But I am forever grateful for the time I get to spend working in your shows,
teams, and presidency, and I know that so many students agree.

- Claire Ames