FLOYD COUNTY —
As the curtain falls on the careers of the teachers who put the theater programs of Floyd Central and New Albany high schools on the map, the new blood coming in have big hopes for the programs they’re taking over.
John Zisa, filling in for David Longest at New Albany High School and Robbie Steiner, Chris Bundy’s replacement at Floyd Central High School, said though the tasks ahead of them are huge, they’re excited about the possiblities for their programs.
Steiner, 24, is a graduate of Providence High School in Clarksville and grew up in Floyds Knobs. He said he was involved with shows at both high schools in Floyd County when he was younger and can’t wait to see what happens with his new job.
“I always wanted to have a program like this, but I’d always envisioned myself building a program from the ground up,” Steiner said. “The facilities don’t really intimidate me, but the reputation of the program is definitely intimidating.”
Zisa, 33, hails from New Jersey. He taught at Hackensack High School for four years and made an appearance as a semifinalist on the fourth season of “American Idol.” His background in teaching music, directing vocal concerts and designing varios elements of stage shows led him to looking for more opportunities in teaching across the country.
He said he knows about the history and reputation of the theater programs at both schools, but he wants to make his own way with New Albany High School.
“In any case where you’re replacing somebody that has built up some kind or reputation for high quality, there’s always some kind of intimidation in filling those shoes,” Zisa said. “I don’t want to fill David or Chris’s shoes, I want to fill my own shoes.”
Zisa met with students in an informal audition on May 12, but Steiner is a little more familiar with his school. Bundy said Steiner performed class observations and student teaching at Floyd Central while he was still in college. From there, he served as a substitute teachers and got to know the program a little better.
Though Zisa hasn’t had much experience with New Albany High School, he said he can’t wait to see what he’s able to do for students there.
“It’s kind of exciting to not know anybody and then pick titles that I think can showcase the best these students have to offer,” Zisa said. “I’m not the kind of director who will tell a student to just move stage right on a certain piece of dialogue; I’ll tell them why they’re moving stage right.”
But both schools have a history of going to the International Thespian Festival, an invitation-only annual event where some of the best high school theater programs showcase their work.
Both new directors said they feel like it might take some time to get back to the festival, but it’s something that they’re both shooting to accomplish.
“Within the first few years I definitely want to see us back at International and I definitely think that’s doable,” Steiner said.
Zisa said he also thinks his students will accomplish that relatively soon.
“Every show that I’m going into, I kind of make that the goal,” Zisa said. “But I want to have successful shows and help students do their best work. It’s something I’ll have in the back of my head, so I won’t be too bummed if we don’t make it and I won’t be too hard on myself or my students.”
Steiner said he’s exicted about the opportunity to work with students, but also give them a program they’re proud enough to own.
“We develop a family for our students to be a part of,” Steiner said. “We want them to feel both challenged and supported. that’s what I’m most excited about with this program.”
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John Zisa, left, is the new theater director for New Albany High School. Robbie Steiner, right, is the new theater director at Floyd Central High School. Staff photo by C.E. Branham
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May 24, 2012
New theater directors at NAHS and FCHS ready for their programs
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Participants from Parkview, Beechwood, Riverside, and Griffin recreation centers march along East Water Street following a history lesson at the Riverfront Amphitheater during their Juneteenth celebration on Tuesday afternoon in New Albany. Juneteenth is a national holiday that commemorates the end of slavery.
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