A drama teacher at Marianas High School, Easton also works with the National Forensic League and occasionally directs or performs for the Friends of the Arts.
He has been on island for 14 years now and this is his 11th year of conducting drama workshops.
“The dramatic arts are like orange juice in the morning — it’s good for you,” he said. “Educational theater at a young age also contributes to brain mapping which helps them in their reading and comprehension.”
Easton said it is important to start from the basics and get the children involved.
“We visit schools and do a number of preliminary workshops. A lot of kids do not know what a monologue is. They do not know what it is to have an acting or solo musical theater or pantomime,” he added.
Introductory workshops have been conducted at San Antonio, Koblerville and William S. Reyes elementary schools.
“Our usual focus is to help schools establish their troupes of actors. But if the school wants a workshop on something specific, it is not a problem,” Easton said.
The International Thespian Society is a student honor society for people in the theatrical arts, including actors and designers.
It holds competitions throughout the year and stage a variety of chapter productions.
“The more opportunities we can provide for students to participate in the performing arts CNMI-wide, the happier we are.” Easton said.
Easton received the 2009 Governor’s Outstanding Humanities Teacher Award for his contributions to teaching speech and drama and for strengthening the forensic and thespian skills of CNMI students.
For more information regarding the junior and senior thespian activities and the workshops sponsored and provided by the International Thespian Society, call Harold Easton at 237-3230.
