Katie Langwell has been teaching at Hanger Hall since 2007 and thinks she has one of the best jobs in the world. She teaches French and Drama at and directs the annual school play.
Katie grew up in Atlanta and went to University of Richmond, VA where she double-majored in French and Theatre. After working for a non-profit theatre company in Richmond, free-lancing as script supervisor in film production, and sneaking off to France whenever she could, she decided to hop a train and head to New York City. While there Katie helped run a theatre company, worked for HBO, and performed in many plays. She also directed, wrote and performed for an all women sketch comedy group.
For Katie the best thing about teaching at Hanger Hall is how much fun it can be. Her French classes perform skits, sing songs, create magazines, go on strike, belt out the national anthem, taste new foods, tape weather reports, hold fashion shows, and watch movies…all in French! There’s fun to be had with grammar and vocabulary as well. She believes that the more fun her students have, the more they will learn.
In Drama Katie’s classes are great for unleashing energy. Through games, skits and improvisation, Katie works with the girls on becoming more comfortable in front of group. The girls all have a chance to “perform” in class every week and there is usually a lot of laughter. 8th graders get to thoroughly dissect a classic play and compare it to a modern work. Romeo & Juliet / West Side Story, Hamlet/Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead and Pygmalion/My Fair Lady are some previous examples.
Every year Katie directs a school play. Everyone is invited to participate. Rather than focusing on a show that may feature a particular actress, Katie tries to create shows where everyone has a chance to shine.
Katie is married to Lance Ball, and they have two boys, two dogs and two chickens.
Girls Rule!
