Conflict Resolution Crew (CRC)

This is a something I was asked to write in order to help save CRC from being cut from my High School. This is a class I took that introduced me to improve acting and reignited my passion for the performing arts.

CRC has impacted me in many ways. As a child, I was always scared of public performance and the idea of talking in front of a group. When joining CRC my senior year I attempted to get out of having to perform, but when Ms. Gibson asked me to be part of the team and the show I did not want to let the team down, so I did the play which I enjoyed. In 2005 I graduated from Northland College and started as a full time Performer (magician) at Six Flags Great America Theme Park. My performances have included appearing on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and appearing on America’s Got Talent (this season). While I am still nervous of performing in front of people at times, I have learned that I love entertaining audiences. This class taught me about improve acting, how to write a show, having stage presence, and the thrill of performing for an audience.

To say CRC has had an impact on my life and career would be an understatement. In my academic life I have found my experiences in CRC have been very helpful. Through my undergraduate studies and my graduate work I have used my experiences in CRC as references during class discussions, papers, and research on a variety of subjects, including leadership, team dynamics, group psychology, etc.

During my time in the Racine Unified School District I took all required classes, several advanced classes, and some IB courses, of all of these, the class that I reference the most is CRC. Beyond influencing my career choices and academic experiences, CRC has taught me about personal relations and the importance of community at the same time understanding self-reflection. Leadership, conflict resolution, problem solving, responsibility, and empathy; these are areas school very rarely gets an opportunity to instill in students. CRC is a class that teaches these skills beyond the theatre curriculum and I recommend it to anyone who wants a meaningful experience that will help them in the future.