About Me
My Background
Chase Waites, a passionate theatre director from Ft. Worth, Texas, has been involved in acting, directing, and teaching since the seventh grade. With over 20 years of experience in education, he has developed a teaching philosophy that spans from third grade to the college level. Chase graduated high school from Cairo American College in Cairo, Egypt, holds a BA in Theatre and Teacher Certification from Centenary College of Louisiana, and earned his MFA in Directing from the University of New Orleans.
Teaching Philosophy
No Risk, No Reward: Failing Gloriously
Every student who walks into my classroom brings something different. Some arrive excited and ready to learn, while others are skeptical, unsure, or convinced they already know everything they need to know. As a teacher, I view my role through the lens of my teaching philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of each student's unique contributions. Students are amazing; some will let you know it, while others may not have an inkling. It is my job to help them discover what they are truly capable of.
Students need to understand that failure is always an option—indeed, it is often encouraged. It is through glorious failure and calculated risks that some of the greatest rewards can be reaped. A student who is afraid to fail is also hesitant to discover new possibilities.
Successful teaching begins with observing and listening. While students can be similar, they are also vastly different. Each student indicates, in one way or another, how they learn best and what they need from me as their theatre director. Through coaxing, coaching, and taking what the student offers, I lead them toward growth while encouraging the risks that make that growth possible.
I believe in practical application—putting learning goals into a tangible context that the student can grasp while encouraging them to move beyond what is comfortable and predictable. This approach raises the stakes and introduces excitement into learning, allowing students to discover possibilities that were not previously apparent.
When risks become paths to rewards, and glorious failure becomes an option worth exploring, students begin to push beyond the barriers they have built for themselves. My role is not to eliminate failure; instead, it is to create an environment where students are willing to risk it, learn from it, and uncover just how much they are capable of achieving.
The Kennedy Center Medallion
Chase was honored with the Kennedy Center Medallion in 2018 for KCACTF Region 6, recognizing his significant contributions as a theatre director. Each year, the eight KCACTF regions pay tribute to individuals or organizations whose teaching philosophy and dedication to theatre education have made a notable impact. These recipients exemplify a passionate commitment to the development of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, showcasing their artistry and enthusiasm. Most importantly, they have shown a strong adherence to the values and goals of KCACTF, achieving excellence in educational theatre. This award stands as the most prestigious regional recognition given by KCACTF, regarded as one of the great honors in theatre education.