How Theatre Education Opens Space for Gender Exploration | Ep. 7 (with Susannah Crowell)

“Language affects what our brains think is possible — and once kids have the words, their world gets bigger.”For theatre educators, teaching is about more than performance — it’s about creating brave spaces for self-discovery. 🎭 In this episode, host Bryan Stanton (they/them) sits down with Susannah Crowell (they/she), a nonbinary musical theatre educator, to discuss how theatre classrooms can become affirming laboratories for identity, empathy, and radical acceptance.This conversation is for arts educators, elementary teachers, and teaching artists who want to better support gender exploration and inclusive expression in their classrooms.Listeners will learn:How performance and play help children explore identity safelySimple, age-appropriate ways to introduce pronouns and inclusive languageWhy “radical acceptance” matters in every classroomHow educators can balance authenticity, boundaries, and safetyWhat it means to “teach the art of being human”About Our Guest:Susannah Crowell (they/she) is a performer and musical theatre educator with over a decade of experience teaching preschool through fifth grade. Based in Austin and New York, they integrate creative curriculum design and social-emotional learning through the performing arts. Susanna identifies as nonbinary and pansexual and is passionate about creating spaces where young people — and educators — can show up fully as themselves.Resources & Links:My Shadow Is Purple and My Shadow Is Pink by Scott Stuart – scottstuart.me/booksTexas Inclusive Practices Course (TEA) – tea.texas.govHurricane Bianca films (for educators seeking queer comedy & reflection)Teaching While Queer Podcast Archive – teachingwhilequeer.orgSupport the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me!This podcast explores the challenges and successes of queer representation in education, tackling topics like burnout, tokenism, doxing, and the role of advocacy in building inclusive classrooms, safe spaces, and anti-bullying strategies. It centers support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, agender, two-spirit, and non-binary teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to combat isolation and foster community.Keywords: queer pedagogy, theatre education, LGBTQ teachers, gender-affirming classrooms, inclusive arts education, nonbinary educators, radical acceptance in schoolsTeaching While Queer is a podcast for LGBTQ+ educators navigating teaching, leadership, and survival in today’s schools. The show explores queer and trans representation in education, educator burnout, book bans, workplace discrimination, tokenism, doxing, and advocacy—while sharing practical strategies for building inclusive classrooms, affirming school cultures, and safer learning environments. Episodes center gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and Two-Spirit educators, with conversations on gender identity in schools, anti-bullying practices, mental health, and community care. This podcast supports educators who feel isolated and offers solidarity, tools, and hope for LGBTQ+ teachers working across K–12 and higher education.<Support the showQueering Education is a Teaching While Queer podcast centering LGBTQ+ educators and the real-world realities of teaching while queer. We explore queer representation in education, including burnout, tokenism, doxing, visibility, boundaries, and advocacy for inclusive classrooms, safe schools, and anti-bullying practices.This podcast supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, asexual, aromantic, agender, and two-spirit teachers, and addresses how gender identity in schools can be honored to reduce isolation, protect educators, and build community.Support the podcast and spread the message with merch from Equalitees.Me.Follow Teaching While Queer on Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen.Keywords: Teaching While Queer, queer educators, LGBTQ teachers, inclusive education, gender identity in schools, safe classrooms, anti-bullying strategies, educator burnout, LGBTQ advocacy, queer visibility in education