School of Theatre, Film & Television Associate Professor Christie Kerr was recently honored with the Ted and Shirley Taubeneck Superior Teaching Award from the University’s Humanities Seminars Program. Kerr received her award at a ceremony in November.
The Humanities Seminars Program (HSP) is a lifelong learning program offered to adult learners featuring faculty from across the University of Arizona campus. Every year, HSP awards the prestigious Ted and Shirley Taubeneck Superior Teaching Award to their best faculty. This year Kerr received the award for her course Gotta Dance! Celebrating Musical Theatre Dance that she taught for HSP in the Fall of 2022.
“The HSP teaching experience has truly been special,” said Kerr. “When I first began teaching for HSP I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I found these students completely enthusiastic, engaged, well-educated and truly interested in the subject matter. The ‘lifetime learners’ in the course made for a very full teaching experience. While I adore teaching my undergraduate students, there was something so fresh and exciting about my HSP students. The students were hungry to learn more about all aspects of Musical Theatre. I loved their eagerness and engagement throughout the course. It has been a pleasure to share an art form that I have studied for many years and have always loved. Teaching this course has given me an opportunity to see the art and business of Musical Theatre through a new lens. I am honored to have received this award.”
At TFTV, Kerr most recently directed and choreographed Acting/Musical Theatre students in Jesus Christ Superstar, currently onstage in the Tornabene Theatre through December 3. A review in the Arizona Daily Star acknowledged the “intention, humor and expertise” in Kerr’s coordination of a 21-member cast.
Kerr has worked as Director and/or Choreographer on many previous TFTV productions including Legally Blonde the Musical, Into the Woods, Pippin, and Spring Awakening.