Washington College Magazine
Drama Prof Teaches Citizenship
Michele Volansky '90, Photo: Joseph Glodek '09
Students in Michele Volansky's '90 freshman seminar, "Great Speeches In American History," learn how to interpret the rhetoric and effectiveness of political speeches, past and present, and to deliver their own thoughts.
Even in non-election years, Michele Volansky '90, assistant professor of drama, carries around wallet-sized copies of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. She whips them out in class to illustrate a particular point of discussion or to underscore some connection.
When the airwaves fill with political rhetoric, Volansky is mesmerized, not so much by the message, but by the performance of the candidates.
It seemed only natural to create a drama and history class around political speechmaking. It's an interdisciplinary approach to the first-year seminars known as Community, Nation and World, or CNW, classes, and almost second nature to the Washington College alumna who also works as a dramaturg, bringing historical context and literary interpretation to theatrical productions.
For that first class in 2004, Volansky began compiling speeches from former presidents, women's rights activists and other politicians, with the hope of demonstrating to students the tension between writing, reading and public speaking. The class asks students to examine speeches from the likes of suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Gerald Ford, and Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., along with speeches from the current election campaign season.
Students are also expected to write and deliver one of their own speeches.
It's not so much the content and expectations of the class that has excited students, but rather the comfortable, dynamic atmosphere that Volansky creates. Because she's so passionate about politics, the class tends to fuel student interest in history and politics as well. And, as Volansky wryly says, "It allows me to pontificate, or ask questions like [PBS's] Charlie Rose."
Her students clearly respond to her teaching approach. "I don't know any other professor who can keep things as lively as Professor Volansky," freshman Annabelle Shore says. "This class has enhanced my college experience. It's not a lecture, but a discussion. is what envisioned college to be."
"It was one of those classes that had my heart set on," junior Tonie Donimo, a student in Volansky's 2004 CNW class, recalls. "As a biology major, didn't want to immerse myself in just science classes. wanted some variety. The skills learned in this class are important to anything that do."
"Professor Volansky was my adviser; when met her at summer preregistration, begged her to let me be a part of the class," says freshman Sarah Keister, who is taking the class this semester. "She's very laid-back and effectively uses discussion as a way for us to learn."
Volansky team-teaches a second CNW class, "Theatre and Performance," with Dale Daigle, chair of the drama department, and fellow drama professor Jason Rubin.
"Teaching two CNW classes in drama offers me access to freshmen wouldn't have otherwise," Volansky says. "They are the next generation here. wanted to get my hands on them and encourage them to be good students and citizens in the community."
If, after their introduction to Volansky's interdisciplinary approach, they want to be drama majors, even better.
The freelance dramaturg who is based in Philadelphia also teaches upperclassmen dramatic theory, dramaturgy, stage management and modern drama.
Volansky takes her role as teacher and mentor seriously, and has encouraged several young alumni to pursue the dramatic arts, either as a vocation or profession.
"I try to instill in my students the value of a liberal arts education in the world of professional theatre, and to share with them some idea of their place in the world. When was a student, had no idea what was going on in the world," she says. "want to change that. We should know what is happening around us, and sharing that knowledge is what try to do in my classes and my work. Then, a new group of students will understand the world, share it with someone and the cycle will repeat."
Kim Last '07, an American studies major and former Elm editor, contributed to this article.
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