For 20 years Megan Weeks has been known for her engaging personality as an ELA or theater teacher at Milford High School. But as of this summer, Weeks days in the classroom have ended and her role has changed
Weeks has originated the position of Huron Valley’s Fine Arts Coordinator. Her job is now at a district level, and she oversees everything “arts” in the district. Weeks formerly focused on MHS specifically, but now she is in charge of the auditoriums at Lakeland High School as well.
Many people don’t know just how much work goes into the upkeep and use of the district’s performing arts centers. Milford has a newly updated lighting system, and the future is looking promising for updates already planned for this upcoming summer.
Whenever there are meetings or forums in the CPA, either Megan Weeks or Sarah Martin, the CPA’s tech director, have to be there to supervise the use of the facility and be on standby for any technical difficulties. Aside from activities directly connected to MHS like the Milford Theater Company, choir performances and even student or parent meetings, the facility also hosts many community dance programs, classes and recitals. This means that Weeks spends many nights in one of the two facilities, making sure each program runs smoothly.
Doing all this work, on top of her duties as a teacher and as director of Milford’s Theater Company (MTC), left her little free time.
With her new position, Weeks has flexible hours and isn’t guaranteed to be in each building every day. She goes where she is needed, making sure that all of the facilities that she manages are equipped and ready for action.
Caring for the high schools’ performing arts centers has always been a large part of her job. Now, she is also in charge of the art programs starting in HVS’s elementary schools. “I’m just there to help them make sure their curriculums are on track and they have the resources and the things that they need,” Weeks said.
She is in charge of the arts curriculum JK-12, which will be a challenge for her, because she’s the first person to have this job. The district will have to decide what direction they want to go with the arts, as this is a chance to bring more importance to the arts in Huron Valley.
With her new flexible schedule, Weeks can work nights, weekends, or whenever she is needed. She is now able to attend events like Michelle Doggett’s 8th grade theater class at Muir Middle School to see their monologues.
Muir Middle School’s 8th grader Aubree Lane was one of these students that Weeks was able to watch. “It was so fun to see Ms. Weeks in class. She even gave us feedback on our monologues which was super exciting!” Lane said. Since Weeks is still the director of MTC, Lane will be in her program next year, so it was exciting for her to be seen performing by her future director.
This new position also gives Weeks the opportunity to see her future cast members, and build up the Milford and Lakeland theater programs.
After two decades as a theater teacher, Weeks has obviously left big shoes to fill. Many students knew Adrienne McDonald as a math teacher, but she also was an actress. She became an obvious choice to be the theater teacher, and has been doing a great job taking on this new role.