Las Vegas, Nevada
Who would have thought that playing Polly the Parrot in a radio play in fifth grade would lead Carol Lommen to study with Lee Strasberg and Peggy Feury? Lommen has always enjoyed gathering knowledge and exploring the expanding influence of theatre and widening options for youth in theatre.
After graduating from the University of Minnesota, Lommen began teaching theatre in 1964 in Simi Valley, California, continued at Canyon High School in Canyon Country, and then moved to Las Vegas and teach at Bonanza High School, establishing Troupe 1496 in 1979. Lommen went on to become Nevada State director (1986 – 1988) and created the first Nevada State Thespian conference and the first state student board. In 1989 she became the West Coast Region IV Director and held the Region IV Conference in Las Vegas in 1995.
While on the EdTA board, Lommen was instrumental in developing the first national survey of theatre teachers. Lommen also set up the expectation that play screenings would include written critiques so performers and directors could learn more through the feedback and evaluation.
After learning about and then attending the Arizona Leadership Camp, Lommen established the formal ITO (International Thespian Officers) Leadership training workshop at Festival. Lommen also planted seeds for developing Junior Thespians and liaisons with theatre teaching programs across the country.
Lommen has given numerous students and adults more knowledge about personalities, motivations and character understanding by leading True Colors© workshops at various state and national conferences.
