This week, Head of School | MA Campus, Laurie Lambert had the opportunity to catch up with one of a number of “Renaissance” women on campus, Elizabeth Peterson. Elizabeth teaches math, has coached basketball, runs the yearbook program, helps lead the “Women in STEM” group, is the yearbook advisor – and loves the performing arts. At Winchendon, she directs the spring play and helps extensively with the fall musical, but her love of theater doesn’t stop in Winchendon.
LL: What were the highlights of your summer?
EP: (In addition to returning to the theater camp that I have been working at and attending for the many years, I had the amazing opportunity to go to Edinburgh, Scotland to take a theatre and performance class during the biggest theatre festival in the world. I studied at Scottish Universities’ International Summer School (SUISS) and took classes with actors and educators to study, experience, and discuss plays that I wouldn’t have explored otherwise.
LL: Will your participation at the “Fringe Festival” have any bearing on your work here at Winchendon?
EP: I met talented theatre artists, and gained new perspectives from so many different countries. I am excited to be using ideas from shows I saw and professors I studied with in ColLAB and in upcoming productions at the Winch.
LL: Any other thoughts on your experience in Scotland?
EP: “I could not be more grateful that I was able to spend a month in my favorite city surrounded by theatre and performance.”
LL’s Final Comments: A grant from The Winchendon School’s professional development fund helped fund Ms. Peterson’s trip to Scotland and her participation in the Fringe Festival – a trip will have considerable benefit for our students and community. Each year, the School works to support as many faculties as possible in their ongoing learning and professional development, not just through more traditional methods as Winch U, a pursuit of advanced degrees, and attendance at workshops and conferences, but also through activities such as Ms. Peterson’s theater adventure.
