The world outside Tempe Prep is a stage for Mr. Sanderson

By Rachel Dinh and Emma Moriarty

Even though students spend 180 hours with each teacher every year, most of us do not know much about these people’s backgrounds. The structured curriculum might leave time for an ice breaker on the first day of school, but it usually does not give our teachers a chance to respond. Learning about different backgrounds is always interesting and can be a great way to get students to understand why one teacher prefers certain methods over others.

Mr. Sanderson played The Ghost in Hamlet performed by the Southwest Shakespeare Company earlier this year.

For example, Tempe Prep’s drama teacher, Mr. Sanderson, grew up on the opposite side of the country: “I was born in Manhattan and raised in the suburban village of Bronxville. I went to Indiana University-Bloomington, which is a really nice place to go to college. I got a B.A. double majoring in Theatre and English and then went on to The Theatre School at DePaul University, where I earned an M.F.A. (Master of Fine Arts) in Acting.”

While in college, Mr. Sanderson was able to join clubs which he enjoyed, and he pursued his passion for the performing arts. He says, “One of the benefits of attending a large university with a big theatre department was that I could pretty much always be in a play. That’s what I did with most of my free time, and I also spent some time in a choir and in a sketch comedy group.

I’m very lucky to have turned my hobby into my career.

“Growing up, theatre was always my main interest, and now through a combination of acting, directing, and teaching, I get paid to do theatre all day!” Mr. Sanderson adds that there is a good chance his daughter will attend Tempe Prep in the future as well.

Mr. Sanderson played the lead male role in Photograph 51 for the Southwest Shakespeare Company.

This unique profession attracted Mr. Sanderson because of some innate personal quality. “Theater is, aside from my family of course, my greatest source of joy. I’ve been obsessed with it since I was a little kid. I suppose I’m just wired that way. I love the storytelling aspect of it as well as the psychology of it. For me, theatre is an insight into the human condition, and I feel like I learn more about life with every play that I do. I also love the social nature of it, and really enjoy getting to work with like-minded people on a long-term project.”

Mr. Sanderson explains his aim when given the opportunity to share his passion with students: “My main goal for TPA students is for them to leave my classes and rehearsals feeling at least some of the joy and insight that the theatre has given me, and that they learn skills in language, collaboration, and imagination that will serve them in whatever path they take in life.”