About Me.

Courtney McDonald is a Mississippi based theatre artist and educator. In 2017, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts, with a minor in Music - Vocal Performance, from the University of Mississippi, and in 2020, she received her Master of Arts in Performing Arts Administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago. She is currently pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Education from the Mississippi University for Women.

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Over the past 15 years, Courtney has played many roles on stage, but her favorites include Mrs. Potts in Beauty & the Beast, Mrs. Allen in Dark of the Moon (for which she received a Kennedy Center of American College Theatre Festive “Irene Ryan Award” nomination for acting excellence) and Portia in Something Rotten!

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Courtney teaches middle school theatre and has created a theatre program from the ground up at a school which was severely lacking in arts programs. She is also extremely involved in her local community theatre as a director, actor, stage manager, and ambassador. What she enjoys most about being an educator is sharing what she loves with her students and community.

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Educational Philosophy

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As a theatre educator, I believe in cultivating a classroom where authenticity, emotional safety, and creative exploration thrive. My teaching is rooted in the conviction that every student is a storyteller, and that the classroom should be a space where those stories are heard, honored, and shaped with purpose.

 

Drawing from my own identity, I bring empathy, structure, and passion into every lesson. I strive to balance emotional depth with joyful energy, creating a dynamic environment where students feel safe to take risks, make mistakes, and find their voice.

 

My approach centers on:

• Student-centered learning that values voice, choice, and collaboration
   

• Emotionally intelligent classroom management grounded in trust, kindness, and mutual respect
   

• Creative engagement through storytelling, performance, and reflective practice
   

• Inclusivity and advocacy, ensuring that all students feel seen, valued, and capable of growth
   

I view the classroom not just as a place for content delivery, but as a living, breathing space for connection and transformation. Whether we are building characters, exploring social issues through theatre, or simply learning how to listen to one another, my aim is always to nurture both skill and soul.

 

Above all, I believe teaching is an act of service—and a form of art. I am committed to showing up with integrity, intention, and heart, every day.