Welcome to LHS: Smithhisler’s Tomorrowland is today’s drama department

Drama and dance are two skills added to Mrs. Angela Smithhisler’s “history record.”

Smithhisler returns to Linganore for her first full year of teaching both history and the fine arts. In the 2015-16 school year, she taught history classes in the spring semester and will continue for the first semester this year and then move into the performing arts hallway for the remainder of the year to teach drama and dance. Mrs. Smithhisler is taking over the performing arts wing after the departure of Mr. Lazarus.

She’s most excited about “Getting back into drama. Drama kids are purely good. They’re funny; they’re free with their emotions and want to get to know things outside of the curriculum.”

In high school, she describes herself as having had friends in all crowds, being involved in almost everything, but she said, “If I had to pick one crowd, it would be the drama and dance kids.” In addition to teaching, Smithhisler is also going to be assisting with the fall plays and spring musical.

Smithhisler graduated from Governor Thomas Johnson High School herself, which is one reason why she is so excited to be back in this school system. Previously, she taught literature, history, religion, and drama at a small Catholic school in Gaithersburg. Her favorite teacher in school that inspired her to become an educator was Mrs. Elizabeth Tringali.

She knew she was meant to be in education since she was in middle school, however, she dramatically offered at alternative: “obviously be in Hollywood.”

Her first seven jobs included being a cashier at Wal-Mart, a jewelry counter worker at Wal-Mart, a Starbucks barista, running the Tomorrowland Speedway at Disney World, lifelong student, mother, and her true calling, education.

When she isn’t at Linganore teaching, Smithhisler enjoys reading a novel or two a week, hiking, dancing, participating in running events, and spending time with her children and husband. She has a four year old daughter (who will “probably end up in Hollywood”) and a two year old son (who will “probably be a linebacker for the Redskins”). She met her husband in ninth grade gym class, and the high school sweethearts married in 2011. She and her family have lived in Europe, and her favorite city is Prague.

Auditions for the fall plays, three short one-act shows performed in one exciting night, will be held on September 7th after school in D101. There is an audition sign up list in the drama hallway.