Episode Details

"You don’t have to mine your trauma to make good art. Teach with empathy, but protect your peace.” 

In this episode of Teaching While Queer, host Bryan Stanton (he/they) sits down with Michael Musgrave-Perkins (he/him) — theatre department chair at Grand Center Arts Academy in St. Louis, Missouri — for an honest and insightful conversation about growing up gay in the Midwest, surviving being outed as a teen, and finding strength and authenticity through theatre education.

Michael shares his journey from a touring actor with the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival to becoming a full-time educator, GSA co-sponsor, and champion for queer visibility in the arts. Together, Bryan and Michael explore how personal trauma shapes compassionate teaching, why boundaries matter for both teachers and students, and how queer educators can thrive — even under the pressure of public scrutiny.

Key Takeaways

• The power of theatre education to teach empathy, resilience, and “portable life skills.”
• Michael’s powerful story of being outed as a teen — and how that experience informs his teaching today.
• Why setting emotional and professional boundaries protects both teachers and students.
• How queer educators can model authenticity while navigating stigma, “groomer” rhetoric, and fear.
• The importance of knowing queer history — from the AIDS epidemic to drag culture — to build student understanding and pride.
• Tips for fostering inclusive, affirming school communities even in conservative environments.
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Resources & Links

• Grand Center Arts Academy: grandcenterartsacademy.org
• Teaching While Queer Website: www.teachingwhilequeer.org
• Email: teachingwhilequeerpodcast@gmail.com
• Follow on Instagram: @TeachingWhileQueer

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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 educators, LGBTQ teachers, theatre education, inclusive classrooms, queer history, boundaries in teaching, GSA, LGBTQ representation in schools, queer podcast, teaching while queer

Teaching 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 isol