“Prof. Swartz garnered the admiration of the students through her generous service. Often, but not unnoticed, would she stay in her office after school to: coach monologues and auditions, mentor projects, sit with students having a hard time adjusting to college, lead independent studies, prepare future lesson plans, provide students with outside opportunities to improve, and even sharpen her own craft so that she could pass more knowledge to the students. Rachael Swartz went above and beyond the call of duty as a professor. So much so that the mentality that she brought to the department spread. In the first year of Prof. Swartz’s employment more students received professional work than in the previous three years combined. She was infectious in the most positive way imaginable.
I personally worked alongside Prof. Swartz as her TA for Acting II and was directed by her in my senior capstone, An Iliad. These two obligations were crucial in my development. It was as her TA that I fell in love with teaching and it was Prof. Swartz who further encouraged me to do so. She advised that I look into graduate schools as soon as possible, which led to my MFA appointment at The University of Alabama’s Theatre & Dance Department. I did not have this experience alone; many students have similar accounts of the unyielding support Prof. Swartz provides. ”
— Christian Tripp, Head of Acting, University of Memphis
“Professor Swartz also graciously volunteered her time to hold a dialect workshop for Theatre Bristol’s summer production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. She instructed a cast of 50 through RP British, German, Cockney, and an RP/German blend over the course of 3 hours. Professor Swartz came prepared and excited to work with the cast of dialect novices. Through the workshop, she engaged actors from the ages of six to seventy, working efficiently and eagerly. She then equipped me to act as dialect coach for the show, offering herself as a resource even after the workshop. To her credit, our cast of 50 convincingly played upper, middle, and lower class British characters, as well as German-inspired Vulgarians. Through the rest of the rehearsal process, the director, crew members, and cast members all made repeated comments to me about how much they enjoyed working with Professor Swartz. Our Executive Director is interested in having her return for future workshops, at her willingness, as well.”
— Camille Gray, Theatre Bristol
“Since Rachael began working with the students at E&H, their work has markedly improved. Their level of professionalism in auditions and on stage is now commensurate with other college programs in a way it was not before. The students’ acting has grown immensely, and the shows themselves are stronger, particularly when Rachael directs them. Some of the best shows I’ve seen in the last 20 years at E&H have been under Rachael.
The students are vociferous about Rachael’s strengths as a teacher. They are enthusiastic about working with her and it is clear that they have learned a great deal from her. They are comfortable with her and feel that they have been pushed to become their best.”
“Extraordinary. Intelligent. Patient. Understanding. A leader. Supportive. Helpful. These are all words I would use to describe Rachael and her teaching. Rachael has become one of the best teachers at Parkside because she doesn’t just walk into the classroom and lecture with low enthusiasm. She walks into class every day with a fiery energy to get the mood up and students focused. When she teaches, the classroom lights up and jokes around with her. In her classes it feels more like a group activity that everyone wants to attend. Not only does she inspire her students in the classroom, she also supports them outside of the class. In my personal experience she has helped support me in my rough times. I have also seen her go out of the way for others. When it comes to being a professor, it is not just about teaching. It is about someone who inspires students, makes them laugh, gives them a safe space, supports them, and provides life wisdom that will last beyond the textbook. I think Rachael is someone who embodies all of that. She is someone who other professors should look to for inspiration.”
— A.J. Lance, Former student
“She is deeply invested in every single student’s education and prides herself on creating a safe environment for her classes and in the rehearsal rooms she conducts as a director of her students… Rachael has been a main component of my growth over the course of two years into becoming a confident, dedicated, and collaborative artist I’ve always wanted to be. Her recent production of Indecent by Paula Vogel was a turning point in my career. I have never been in a space where I felt so openly supported in being vulnerable with my work as an actor. Rachael Swartz has this uncanny ability to assist a student’s success in every way possible. I have nothing but gratitude for her guidance and wisdom in this difficult industry to work in.”
— Hans Pfrang, Student
“Having a professor like Rachael Swartz to stand in your corner and help you advocate for yourself is something I do not take lightly. Her dedication to providing a constructive classroom full of worthwhile materials and projects, and the way she can accommodate students is what has helped me personally learn so much in these past few semesters. The growth I’ve been able to make under her tutelage not only in the classroom setting, but in the rehearsal space as well is just one of the many reasons she deserves every teaching award there is and will be. Working closely with her as a TA, sitting on the other side of the desk, has helped me understand the work and passion she puts into her curriculum. Serving in her class is what gave me the push to seek out a teaching job this summer, from which I was able to recently accept an offer above anything I could have hoped for.. …She listens to her students and takes time to coach one on one in acting courses, and takes feedback in the rehearsal space with a collaborative approach which was not something I was used to before coming to Parkside. Rachael Swartz has been an amazing addition to the UW Parkside Theatre Department, and in my last remaining year here I hope to make the most out of the fountain of knowledge and kindness she has to offer. I have gained so much beyond knowledge, I’ve gained a confidence through the encouragement she offers and a renewed passion for performance that the pandemic has affected.”
— Elizabeth Sparks, Student
“I have the absolute pleasure of lending this extraordinary Professor my full and unreserved support for a tenured position on your faculty. Her training, experience, and connections render her eminently qualified, and her ability to inspire and form relationships with her students remains almost unparalleled in my experience. During my time at Emory & Henry as a theatre major, I studied Acting I, Stage Movement, Acting III, and Voice for the Stage with Professor Swartz. She also led a department-wide class every semester called Professional Theatre Experience; this class was designed to offer seminars and interactions with working theatre professionals in a variety of disciplines. In the falls of 2017 and 2018 I worked on productions of Top Girls and The Government Inspector directed by Professor Swartz, and as a director myself had her assistance as vocal coach for my senior project, The 39 Steps. In every class, Professor Swartz shone. She respected her students, she encouraged our growth with skill and style, and she advocated for us in every professional situation. Students bloomed under her tutelage; her classes were a consistent favourite among Acting majors and non-majors alike, and her productions showcased some of the finest dramatic work I have been involved in. Even outside of the classroom, Professor Swartz’s network of professional connections, and tireless effort to enrich that network, proved an invaluable asset to us as emerging theatre professionals. Beyond simply improving the quality of our artistry with her classes, she introduced us to theatre artists and training that helped us advocate for ourselves in the working world. I personally have obtained well-paying work in my field, due solely to her recommendation and support; my experience was far from unique. Above all, Professor Swartz has an incredible talent for inspiration. I have scarcely known a person, let alone a professor, so capable of engendering admiration and loyalty in those she teaches. Her students blossom because of the connections she makes with them; with her encouragement and belief in us, she spurs even those of us no longer students to excellence. I have had the privilege of calling her Professor; I now consider it an honour to call her Friend.”
— Austen Bell, Former Student
“I worked closely with Rachael when we produced Dead Man’s Cell Phone, which she directed, as part of our mainstage season. I enjoyed our collaboration greatly. Rachael had a strong vision for the show, and was open to listening to the opinions of those of us on the design team. The group of us formed a solid working relationship based on respect, creativity, and a love for the arts. I would welcome the opportunity to work with her again.
Rachael’s ability to work with student actors of all skill levels is astounding. I was able to observe her interactions with students in class and in rehearsal. She is professional, yet caring; exacting, yet collaborative; fun, but not a pushover; understanding but not sparing. She earned the respect and loyalty of her students in her classes and in her productions, on both professional and personal levels. Rachael encouraged the students to get professional headshots, to participate in regional auditions, to take chances, to look for opportunities. Her enthusiasm is contagious.””
— Patty Lanious, Lighting Designer
“I was an undergraduate theatre student taught by Prof. Swartz for three years. In that time period, she instructed me in many classes, workshops, and directed me in several plays. I will confidently say that she made an astounding contribution to my education, growth, and career development, not to mention my confidence, curiosity, and enthusiasm for my artform. Her enthusiastic support was unmatched, and helped me to grow into who I am today. She was a marvelous teacher, in and out of the classroom. She kept things fun but serious, and we were expected to rise up to whatever the task was. She fostered and helped us explore our individual passions. She gave me my first dramaturgical assignment, after I expressed a deep interest in the field, and helped me to learn a skill that wasn’t even specifically taught at our institution. Her immense qualifications and experience in different fields, including stage combat, stage movement, voice for the stage training, and Shakespeare, benefited the depth of my education and of those around me in a significant way. Not only is she incredibly well versed and qualified in a variety of subjects, but her constant commitment to bringing the students outside guests, workshops, and connections to teach us skills that would benefit us in the professional world was unmatched. That may be the number one thing I have to say about Prof. Swartz: she not only cared about us as people and cared about our educational growth, she worked tirelessly to make sure we were successful, in school and for the future professional world. She was the reason many of my fellow classmates were able to land summer jobs, make industry connections, and learn skills that made us incredibly marketable. Her commitment to the future success of her students was above and beyond anything I saw from any other department on campus, or ever expected to receive. I feel so amazingly lucky to have had Prof. Swartz as a professor, advisor, and mentor in my first three years of college. Her influence was formative to the artist and person I am today.”
