.Testimonials
From Colleagues in Higher Education:
Dr. Montgomery was instrumental in building our theatre program . . . Diane has consistently received high marks on student evaluation forms, and her working relationship with students has proven to be an impetus for attracting additional support for the theatre.
-- Dr. Marcia Hawkins, President, Union College, Barbourville, KY
Diane is a qualified scholar of the theatre, with her theatre history classes in particular receiving high praise from the students. I conducted a series of in-house student evaluations for all her classes, and the students were almost universally pleased with her teaching and interactions with students. . . . Diane also showed herself to be a capable director under difficult circumstances.
-- Dr. Fred Tarrant, Chair Departments of Music and Theatre, Shorter University
. . . a dedicated teacher who cares about her students. Dr. Montgomery regularly received solid student evaluations in her classes. She is passionate about her teaching and is a committed team player. . . Dr. Montgomery brought a solid background in Shakespeare and theatre history to her classroom instruction. She is a strong dramaturge in both theatre and the culture of Western history. . . I observed her ability to encourage and mentor young student actors. She is able to articulate a visual concept to the design team while adapting original ideas to new concepts that surface during the collaborative design process. Her dedication to teaching was very evident . . .
--Mr. Carl Lefko, Scenic and Lighting Designer, Chair, Department of Theatre and Cinema, Radford University
From Performers with whom I shared the stage:
[I]. . . count her among the most dedicated and talented artists, knowledgeable and patient teachers, and caring people that I know. Ask Diane about Shakespeare and be prepared for her to educate you and enlighten you. . . Watch her perform and be prepared for her to move you. . . . Diane is a passionate and dedicated professional. Her knowledge and experience, both teaching and performing, make her an unparalleled resource to young professionals seeking to learn more about the business and craft of theatre.
-- Ms. Selah Grace, Professional Performer and Ms. South Dakota, 2003 (under name Ms. Sara Seever)
In the five months of working with Diane Montgomery, I learned much about myself as an artist, a professional, and as a human being . . . If you have the opportunity to give your students individual attention with this marvelous woman, I would highly recommend doing so.
-- Erin Regan, Professional Performer
I have worked with Dr. Montgomery on a student/professor relationship and, with extreme pleasure, on a professional actor relationship. . . I got to experience and learn her professionalism and get to see that what I had learned from her in class carried over to the professional world.
-- Trey Getz, Previous Student, Professional Performer, Disney
From Student Evaluations:
Dr. Montgomery understood that there were all different levels of skills/experience in participation and so she was always eager to answer questions and help us in any way she could.
Dr. Montgomery was always there to listen to my questions and help me with acting choices
Dr. Montgomery demanded a lot of us. It was definitely exhausting sometimes. But I have to say that I had an enormous amount of fun and learned a lot about acting. I think the theatre program found benefit greatly if all our professors directed shows like her
She valued everyone's role in the show whether an actor, stage manager, or stage hand and wanted us all to succeed in our roles and learn.
All the directing she gave me was super important and helpful. I was able to change my character and choices to better suit my acting.
Dr. Montgomery is extremely intelligent and passionate about what she does! She loves teaching and theater!
Was very encouraging and professional. Constructive criticisms helped me grow exponentially as a performer.
I absolutely loved working with Dr. Montgomery and I hope that she becomes a permanent part of [our] theatre department VERY soon! She is wonderful and very passionate about her field and her students!
I learned a lot from Dr. Montgomery, more than I even realized at the time. She has an extensive knowledge of just about everything about theatre—the various eras of theatre, how to act and direct, but most importantly, how to TEACH people to direct and act.
The one-on-one time I got working on monologues and a scene with Dr. Montgomery was absolutely invaluable.
Working with Dr. Montgomery was really a joy. She set up a comfortable environment in which I felt free to play and discover, and she encouraged me and challenged me, along with the rest of the cast. She gave us insights but was completely open and willing to hear our own ideas. She made me feel that I had something very special to offer, which was a complete surprise to me. She really changed my life . . .”
She is an absolute inspiration and a wonderful professor. She helped me so much throughout the semester. Her passion for the theatre is so inspiring. I would love to take more classes under her.