Meet Teaching Artist, Monet Felton
We’re highlighting the incredible Teaching Artists who contribute their skills, energy, and enthusiasm to Court’s Education Initiative. These artists have a wealth of experience in both education and theatre, and we feel honored to partner with them for our Artists-in-the-Schools program. In this post, we’re featuring Teaching Artist Monet Felton!
When did you know you wanted to work in theatre? At what age did that become clear?
I struggle to pinpoint an exact moment of when I just knew. I went to high school for theatre, and it became almost an expectation of myself that this was the career field I was going to pursue; I loved telling stories and being a vessel for the narratives of folks who go overlooked and uncared for. I think it was when I realized this work was rooted in empathy—the opportunity for an audience to see someone different from themselves as worthy of care and deserving of space in the world.
Was there a teacher, teaching artist, or mentor that helped you find your love of theatre? Tell us about them and how their guidance still helps you today.
Yes, Rachel Slavic. Honestly, all of my conservatory teachers in high school, but especially Rachel. She had a huge impact on the kind of teacher I wanted to be. I try to implement Rachel’s level of honesty, care, and ability to show up in the classroom in the teaching work that I do. I remember we got into an argument and not ten minutes later she’s like, “Great debate!” I was baffled because I was really upset and assumed she was upset with me, but she was very chill about it. It’s taught me to not take things so personally with teens, and the less you do, the safer they feel to express themselves and be honest with you about their experiences.
Why did you want to become a Teaching Artist?
Originally, I first became a Teaching Artist to stay close to theatre while I figured out what my relationship to my artistic career was. I wasn’t interested in taking a typical survival job to sustain myself post-grad, and honestly, I’m grateful that I didn’t. This work has shifted and transformed into this beautiful opportunity to work with and have meaningful, impactful relationships with young people. I am honored to be doing it.
What’s your favorite thing about being a Teaching Artist at Court, specifically?
I love how much of my authentic self I get to bring to work and to meetings. I have been brought up by—and worked with—many theatres in the city; what’s unique about Court is that the work is year-round and sustainable. That’s hard to find.
Other than teaching artist, what other hats do you wear in theatre?
I am a Certified Alexander Technique Teacher, I am a director, I am adjunct faculty at my alma mater UIC, and I’ve been a Company Member at Jackalope Theatre since 2018.
What play/ character from a play most describes you?
This is a hard one! I don’t know that I’ve come across a play/character that I’ve felt does me justice in that way. What I will say, is that there are some playwrights who really touch my heart: Lydia Diamond, Mallory Raven-Ellen Backstrom, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Chekov, and Beckett.
Monet Felton (they/them) is a teaching artist, director, producer, writer, and company member at Jackalope Theatre. Monet earned their BFA in Acting at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where they’re currently an Adjunct Professor for the non-majors Theatre class. They’re currently studying on a scholarship to be certified in the Alexander Technique. They’ve been teaching for the last five years and have taught at theatres such as Adventure Stage Chicago, Congo Square, Raven, TimeLine, Walkabout Theatre, and Steppenwolf for Young Adults.