Dr. Gretchen Teague
Dr. Gretchen Teague serves as Springfield Little Theatre’s Academy Coordinator, bringing decades of experience as a theatre educator, director, designer, performer, researcher, and advocate for creative learning to the SLT Education Department.
Before joining SLT Academy, Gretchen spent 25 years teaching International Baccalaureate Theatre at Central High School in Springfield, where she guided generations of young artists through productions, performance, original work, and the creative process. Her influence as an educator has extended well beyond the classroom, with former students continuing into professional careers in theatre and the arts.
Gretchen holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from Missouri State University, a Master of Education from Drury University, and a Doctorate in Education in Instructional Leadership from Lindenwood University. Her continued interest in exploring new forms of storytelling also led her to complete graduate-level study in Puppetry Arts through the University of Connecticut. She currently serves on the theatre faculty at Drury University in addition to her work with Springfield Little Theatre.
A lifelong believer in the power of collaboration and creative discovery, Gretchen is also a founding member and Executive Artistic Director of Devising Original Theatre Springfield (DOTS), an organization dedicated to developing and presenting original theatre. Her work as a theatre practitioner has included directing, design, performance, producing, movement, puppetry, play development, and devised theatre with organizations throughout the Springfield community.
At SLT Academy, Gretchen combines her experience as an educator and working theatre artist to help young people develop not only their skills onstage and behind the scenes, but also their curiosity, confidence, independence, and ability to think creatively. She remains passionate about the ways theatre can create community, encourage exploration, and give students a place to discover their own voices.
