This year, Drama Teacher Mrs. Daurity will begin her 7th year at The Franciscan School, as she has shared her love of theatre and guided countless students in discovering their own voices onstage.
Before joining TFS, Mrs. Daurity built an impressive career in theatre and film. She taught voice and speech in the Department of Theatre at North Carolina Central University, and also taught acting classes at Raleigh Little Theatre, North Raleigh Arts & Creative Theatre, and other local stages. Her work extended to dialect coaching at Sanderson High School and Saint Mary’s School in Raleigh, as well as serving as a casting assistant for film and television in both Los Angeles and New York.
Her theatre journey began in the Conservatory acting training program at Webster University in St. Louis, but her heart pulled her back to North Carolina, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting through the Meisner program at East Carolina University. She went on to complete her Master of Fine Arts in Acting at the New School for Drama in New York City, training under renowned teachers such as Elizabeth Kemp, Nova Thomas, Joseph Ragno, Karen Ludwig, Arthur Storch, and Ron Liebman. During her time in New York, she earned a Lifetime Membership to the prestigious Actors Studio, working alongside acclaimed artists including Lee Grant, Ellen Burstyn, and Al Pacino. She also starred Off-Broadway in the original production of Reed in the Wind, an Irish drama. In 2010, she returned home to North Carolina to pursue her true passion: teaching.
At TFS, Mrs. Daurity teaches drama to students in grades 3-8, introducing elementary students to ensemble building, improvisation, movement, voice, and theatre history. She integrates playwriting into her classes, even guiding fifth graders to compete in the North Carolina Young Playwrights Festival. Middle school drama, offered as an elective, explores more advanced skills such as filmmaking, dialects, directing, and acting for the camera. Beyond the classroom, she directs two after-school productions each year and prepares her Junior Thespian Troupe for state festivals and competitions. She also serves as an advisor and contributes to the school community through morning carpool, study hall, and lunch/recess duties.
Mrs. Daurity’s greatest joy is seeing her students shine onstage. “Theatre is such a great art form in that it teaches individuals how to empathize and communicate with others,” she shares. “It builds confidence, and it encourages growth of the imagination. Nothing makes me happier than to see my students SHINE onstage.”
While she dreams of one day having a dedicated theatre space on campus, she embraces the challenge of rehearsing in the drama trailer and staging productions in venues such as Cardinal Gibbons High School and North Raleigh Arts & Creative Theatre. These partnerships have provided her students with unique and meaningful performance experiences.
Mrs. Daurity feels as if TFS is home. “I feel so lucky and grateful to be able to come to work every day at a place that does not feel like work, but family. Working at TFS means the world to me. I couldn't ask for a kinder and more welcoming environment.”
Outside of school, Mrs. Daurity and her husband celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary this summer and are the proud parents of two boys. Together, they love spending time outdoors, especially playing disc golf. She also serves as a member of the North Carolina Theatre Arts Educators group and is Submissions Chair for the North Carolina Young Playwrights Festival.
We are blessed to have Mrs. Daurity pouring out her talents and passions with our students at TFS!