Camille Howard

Thrilled reading all of these emails about Camille, a favorite mentor from one of her favorite students. She was all these things and more. I studied with Camille from 1994-1998. (We wrote letters to each other in the mail between this time frame, and later when I went off to pursue my M.A. and Ph.D.) Took all of her Advanced Theater Classes. She took me under her wing and became both mentor, confidante, Sistah, Auntie, Cousin, and more. She breathed Life back into me when I felt like giving up. She taught me to believe in myself and my dreams. She was human, beautiful, vulnerable, not afraid to share her own pain and stories to help her students give more of themselves in the classroom (and on the stage). I have never forget her or any of her lessons. She lives on--in my heart and in my own teaching. She encouraged me to get my Ph.D., which I now have. More importantly, she taught me to "pass it on." I'm doing that now. God bless you. God bless Camille. What an Angel we have in Camille, who smiles (can you still hear her laugh?), and looks down upon in wondrous amazement and joy. My tribute to her is here: www.jamiewalker.org/camillecolehoward.htm

--Dr. Jamie Walker

Grateful for her love, intimacy, laughter, and Sweet Spirit. Would not be here today if it were not for Camille. Truly an Angel/Heaven sent. All things are in 'Divine Order.' :) And who can forget that cherished Martha Graham quote? Her favorite. :)

Camille was a wonderful teacher. She was always enthusiastic about Theatre, and I could tell she in love with the stage. She made me fall in love with it too. I will miss you, Camille! You will be all of our hearts forever! Say "hello" to Moliere for me.

Wow, i'm really surprised as to what i've seen some people say about camille. I took acting workshop 1 my first semester at state and she is still on of my favorite professors. I am by no means a good actor, and by chance i seemed to get teamed up with the only other people in the class with the same acting abilities as myself. However, camille only used our good aspects to our advantage, mine being directing. She understood that i was not an exceptional actor and so would give me jobs at directing others acts. Camille is a great teacher and by no means should be avoided.

I had Camille a year ago, however I was unaware of this review system. She was one of the most amazing teachers that I ever had. One of the rumors is that she "plays favorites". I was definately very quiet in class and received the same amount of attention, as some of her biggest fans in class. I am a theatre major and until I took her course I disliked Greek Tradjedy very much, now ancient greek literature is a fascination of mine. To me that is what a professor is all about. I have not had the privilege of taking her acting classes, however I hear wonderfull things about them. Incitefull, witty, exciting, and heartwarming. Take her theatre history classes folks!

Camille is a beautiful lady and an outstanding teacher. I do not believe she plays favorites as much as she reaches out more to those that reach out to her. We all should remember that she is human and does have bad days when she is not as pleasant as she should be. We all do. She gives the most exciting and poetic lectures I have heard in my life. Her best quote was " Hard work,like love, is never wasted." I have never had a boring moment in her class.

Well, the Tai chi was interesting. And she gave my group NO direction on our final, but she practically took over other groups. I have to agree with the common consensus about her picking favorites. She does, and if you arent one of them, you do get less from the class. And the last couple of weeks was mainly spent waiting in the halls for other groups to practice. But I did meet my best friends in the class. Its great to have such an interactive class---you really get to know people. If you are going to take this class, make sure you really get into her excersizes. and be really "spiritual"-whatever thats means. but come on---youre a bunch of actors, you can do it.

Oh and be careful what you say--if its stupid enough, it just might get documented like these winners from the class:

Favorite Camille Quotes:

"Use your time well. Dont get an idea"

(very serious and dramatic)"Red and black DO look good together"

A good one from one of my really bright classmates:

--Used as an excuse for being late to class--"I live in Daly City and there are often troubles with the shuttle or a handicap person"

I am not a Theatre major, so I cannot vouch for how Camille treats students in her acting classes. Her Theatre Backgrounds class, however, was the best class I took at State this semester. Not only is she passionate and entertaining, she is extremely knowledgeable and impeccably organized. I felt as if over two hundred years of theatre history were being acted out before me, and on more than one occasion, I was nearly moved to tears. Her lectures were so powerful and so alive that I was captivated throughout each class, as if I'd been transported back to Louis XIV's court at Versailles or Robespierre's nightmarish reign during the French Revolution. As for her grading policy, she required only that we be in class, read the plays, and do well on the exams. There were no term projects or homework assignments. She docked students one grade point for each unexcused absence, but I cannot imagine why anyone would want to miss her lectures anyway. I absolutely cannot stress enough what a pleasure it was to take this class, and I would strongly encourage other students (whether theatre majors or not) to take this class with Camille. You will not regret it!

Camille Howard is one of the most dazzling and enthusiastic instructors I have ever had. Her lectures are never boring, they drive you to keep a love for the theater and understand its roots. You will have to write a lot, but its not a problem. Her lectures are so wonderful and clear it makes you want to record what she says.I was one point away from a B- on an exam, and I challenged one of the questions to see if I could get a C+ to a B-. She gladly gave me the additional point.As a theater major, I am so glad to be enrolled in a class where the instructor motivates and inspires.You won't regret taking this course with her.Just make sure you take it with her, not someone else!

Camille is one of the most passionate, driven teachers I have ever encountered. Her exuberance in teaching theater history made it a pleasure to take. She gave me a view of the world's history from an artist's point of view that is firmly planted in my memory. Don't take her classes if you are not willing to work for her. If you are lazy, you will not do well . . . but then, where will you do well? I found that she inspired me to read the works that were assigned, and I felt left out of the creative and exciting lectures when I was not keeping up.

My experience with Camille Howard has been one of the most fun, exciting, and informative experiences of my life. Camille is warm, sunny, and sincere. She does not force anyone to do anything in that class that they do not wish to do. Like any class, what you get out of the class is dependent on what you put in. The environment Camille provides allows one to put in everything that they have, vulnerability and all, without fear of ridicule or disappointment. I put a lot into this class, but what I got out of it was astronomical. I learned as much about life and people as I did about bettering myself as an actor. This class cannot be measured by any tangible means...you must first put your heart into the class and you will understand. Everyone is an artist at heart, Camille creates a world in which you can allow that artist to flourish. Take this class.

I agree with the other review calling Camille Howard "truly magical." In Theater Backgrounds 402, her eyes, her voice, her movements and her emotions fling you back into time. She compels you to see history with clear eyes, as though you've personally witnessed Moliere performing or attended the premiere of "Maria Stuart." I have NEVER seen her lose her temper or play favorites, let alone flirt. I am considering putting off taking Acting 1 so that I may take the class with her. Her tests are semi-difficult but very fair - no gruesome surprises- and her grading policy is beyond fair (she'll compensate for questions that too many people had missed.) I have found Camille to be a lovely teacher and this class to be a terrific experience.

This teacher is truly magical. If you are into the spiritual side of acting you should not hesitate to take one of her clases. She can really push you as an actor, and she is a very sweet woman. HOWEVER... She definitely plays favorites. If you are not one of them, you do not get nearly as much out of the class. She never really explains how you can really FEEL a scene, really get into it, after rehearsing it the required ten times. A lot of what she preaches can't be taught, and thus her teaching is largely ineffectual. She can go into rages, and she can make you feel like poop, but when it works, it works, and she can make the class feel like a beautiful ensemble. Basically, take at your own risk. She can be the best or the worst teacher.

After reading the last review of Camille, I thought I should defend her because I found her to be a good teacher and delightfully energetic person. True, her exercises are not always the most appropriate or ultimately effective, but her class was always a positive learning environment. I've never known her to flirt, infact, I laughed upon hearing the claim, and I have never once seen her temper flare. I don't agree that she should be avoided. Actually, I don't think anyone should HESITATE to have her as a teacher. Any college professor who invites *ALL* of her students who can't afford to go home, to her own Thanksgiving, can't be all bad.