American Academy In Rome accepts Terrena Mann for Classical Summer School

MADISON – Terrena Mann has been accepted into Classical Summer School with the American Academy In Rome. Mann was fortunate to receive a full scholarship that will help her to further her education on Greek/Roman theatre.

Mann teaches theatre classes at Journey Middle School. She has amassed 35-plus years of experience as a performing arts educator, playwright, performer, producer, director and choreographer. Mann has performed in, directed, written and/or choreographed 70-plus theatrical shows in Texas, California, Tennessee and Alabama, along with Six Flags, Dollywood and “Ed McMahon’s Star Search.”

“For more than a decade, my work as an educator and theatre artist has centered on helping young people discover their place in a story larger than themselves. Classical civilizations Greek and Roman — form the foundation of how we understand theatre, civic identity, architecture and narrative,” Mann said.

Mann applied to the 2026 Classical Summer School because she wants to deepen her scholarly understanding of Greek and Roman cultures in a way that will directly elevate her teaching, enrich her curriculum and expand the historical literacy of the students that she serves.

“I hope to return as a scholar-teacher with the intention of connecting what I see to how I teach Greek and Roman theatre, rhetoric, mythology, art and civic history,” Mann said. “I want to understand not just what these places are but what they mean and how I can bring that meaning back to my classroom.”

In summer school, the first week will focus on the early development of Rome; Etruscan and Faliscan cities (the ancient city of Falerii was in northern Italy); and the archaeology of early colonies. In the second week, participants will transition to Naples and Magna Graecia to examine the Greek influence on Roman culture and the world that existed before the eruption of Vesuvius.

“The final three weeks back in Rome will center around the study of the city, its rise and day trips to sites throughout Latium to help me understand the physical, political and artistic evolution of the ancient world I teach every year,” Mann said.

Mann hopes to experience ancient theatres, sanctuaries, domestic spaces and museums through the lens of intentional scholarship – instead of tourism. “The opportunity to study these regions will help me build stronger, more accurate curriculum units in drama, connect cross-curricular planning with my ELA (English Language Arts) peers and study human expression and experience that benefits my young playwrights,” she said.

“I look forward to creating new primary- source-based lessons, visual materials and dramaturgical resources (related to writing and staging plays) for my students,” Mann said.

In other activities, Journey Theatre will present “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” on April 15-18 at James Clemens High School Auditorium. For tickets, visit S2PASS.