Brian Drummy

• What colleges/universities did you graduate from and what degrees did you receive from each?

Chapman University (BFA Theater Performance 2010) and the California Institute of the Arts (MFA Acting 2021).

• What do you teach?

Currently, I teach Drama 1 and Film 1 as well as after-school "8th period" classes on Theater Tech/Design and Directing/Playwriting. In the coming years, we'll have a brand-new and thriving multi-year drama department curriculum taught during the school day as well!

• What other roles/responsibilities do you have on campus?

My official title is "Theater Director"- I direct three shows a year (all of which we are committed to having happen on campus in spaces like the Grinstead, the Amphitheater, and the Dining Hall). I also lead a mentor group of 9th graders.

• What was your career before coming to La Salle?

I've spent the majority of my adult life doing some combination of teaching and performing. I spent my twenties living in New York City working a bizarre assortment of jobs in theater and entertainment. I traveled the world dancing in the chorus of classic musicals like My Fair Lady and Damn Yankees, originated roles in several world premieres, and was an assistant/intern at several theater and film production companies. Like every other working actor who has ever lived I also waited tables for a decade, working at some of New York and Los Angeles's best restaurants (including downtown Pasadena favorite Agnes!). I began teaching primarily as a volunteer working with unhoused or incarcerated youth- that job eventually led to a brief stint living at the Shanti Bhavan Children's Project in Rural Southeastern India, where I worked alongside faculty from Juilliard Drama to develop arts programming for K-12 students living at the school. I taught my way through graduate school and the pandemic at several colleges, universities, conservatory programs, and high schools (including my own alma mater, the Orange County School of the Arts in Santa Ana, CA). It was through my work at OCSA that I found a passion for working with high school students, and after several years of working at high schools and for major theater companies throughout southern California I wound up at La Salle!

• What drew you to working at La Salle?

I grew up in a catholic family, and am one of the only people in my family for several generations that did not receive a catholic high school education. When the opportunity to join the team at La Salle came up, I thought it would be incredible to take my skills as a performing arts teacher and create a conversation between the canon of dramatic literature and the core principles of a Lasallian/catholic education. How are the stories that we consider "classics" and have been told for thousands of years in conversation the ideals we all share? I also deeply enjoyed meeting our leadership team during my interview process- I interviewed at several schools throughout the country and felt the team at La Salle was the most welcoming and passionate about what they do.

• What is your favorite thing about teaching at La Salle?

The students. They're brilliant. They're creative. They are tenacious and resilient. They're multi-faceted multi-hyphenates, and I feel privileged to be a small part of their educational journey.

• What are your hobbies/interests outside of La Salle?

I'm a big film nerd. I usually see at least a movie a week. I see a lot of theater. I also love cooking- because I worked in restaurants for so long, I got to learn how to cook from some of the best chefs in America. I usually go out of my way to cook for people once every weekend, even if it's simple. I feel like I sound so boring, but after years of living out of a suitcase and working a super untraditional schedule, I'm kind of loving the routine and rhythm of school life. Life feeling a little simple feels really nice.

• If you were a student at La Salle today, which current clubs, activities, or organizations would you be a part of?

Obviously, I'd be in the drama department! I'd probably be in the dance and music departments as well. My high school didn't have any sports (we didn't even have PE!), and I wish I had the chance to play a sport in high school.