Professor George Tietze
By Najya Beatty-McLean (Whetstone Staff Writer)
Najya Beatty-McLean: How long have you been teaching acting classes?
George Tietze: I have been teaching acting for about 15 years, but here at Wesley for seven.
NBM: What made you interested in teaching acting class?
GT: When acting is something you study for a long time, teaching it just feels natural.
NBM: Have you ever attended acting classes to make your teaching method better?
GT: Well, I think as an artist or in any profession you should keep learning about it, because it’ll make you a better teacher. I try to participate in things to practice my craft also.
NBM: Did Wesley find you or did you find Wesley?
GT: Wesley found me. A friend of mine who used to teach the acting class here got offered another position at a different school. So, he called me up to tell me when he offers up his position he will tell the department chair that he has someone qualified for the job. He did, I had an interview and here I am.
NBM: What is the greatest thing about teaching?
GT: The greatest thing about teaching is knowing that you’ve helped someone and made a difference in their life. A teacher of the year a few years ago said, “For most people, if you get the chance to make an impact on someone, you are lucky.†I love having the opportunity to do that every day.
NBM: What College did you attend? What was your major?
GT: I attended University of Delaware and graduated with a degree in Theatre.
NBM: As a student, what was most difficult for you to learn?
GT: As a student, I believe it was breaking some bad habits that I had as an actor. In high school, I was used to being in drama class and being in plays but they were not as serious, it was really just for fun. So, in college I had to overcome my own fears and obstacles I put in my own way to make me a better actor.
NBM: Where did you grow up?
GT: I grew up in Wilmington, Del., mostly. I was born in New Jersey and relocated in the fourth grade.
NBM: Do you think your childhood had any impact on you?
GT: I think because I did not have a lot of friends when I moved here, I had learn how to have fun alone and I started to really learn about acting. One thing led to another and I found myself being a theater expert, putting on shows and learning to read scripts.
NBM: What do you like to do on your downtime?
GT: I like to read, listen to music, watch TV and do some improv (even though that isn’t really my downtime). I also like to hang out with my family and friends, have a couple of margaritas.
NBM: What are you most passionate about?
GT: I am most passionate about theatre and art in general. I believe art is important and without it, we’re bland and moving backwards instead of forward. Art is important in a great culture.
NBM: Did this interview help you learn new things about yourself as far as your career?
GT: Yes, as you talk about things and you don’t know the answers, you kind of discover upon it and it makes you think about just why you are here in the first place. After a while, you kind of just go along and do the next thing in front of you then you forget why you’re doing it.
