Meet Mollie Lief | Drama Teacher, Eliot Arts Magnet School

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mollie Lief and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mollie, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
After the Eaton Fire destroyed the homes of many of my students – as well as our school, Eliot Arts Magnet in Altadena – it felt as though a heavy blanket of trauma had settled over our entire community. My colleague, Billy Rugh, the dance teacher at Eliot, and I were heartbroken for our students and their families. But we knew the most helpful way we could show up was to keep going with our spring musical. We hoped it would give the kids something to look forward to each day – a small refuge from the loss and grief.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Being a public school drama teacher is the most fun job on planet Earth. It can be relentless and taxing on the heart, body, and soul, but every day is filled with moments of joy, humor, and transformation. What I offer my students, I think, is an unwavering doggedness to see each of them surpass their potential by the end of the year.

Eliot Arts theater kids work tirelessly. They collaborate, and they’re not afraid to dream big. Because of these dreams, we will be taking 60 students to New York City to experience Broadway over spring break. We’ve been fundraising all year to provide scholarships so that the majority of our students can be part of this adventure. I hope it provides a meaningful and memorable trip they will cherish forever.

In our program, I work hard to create a safe space where students are encouraged to take risks—to be their authentic selves, even when they’re wearing the mask of a character. I offer my students the gift of community, one that fosters empathy and kindness. Even if they never take another theater class after they graduate, I know I’ve sent them into the world with the skills they need to stand confidently on their own two feet: to be present, to be truthful, and to connect with others. Along my journey as a theater educator, I’ve learned to embrace my own mistakes and trust my instincts – and to remember that the show always, always comes together.

I believe with my whole heart that theater should be mandatory at every level of education. If everyone had the chance to fall in love with – or even just take a chance on – a theater class as a kid, I truly think it would make for a safer and more interesting world. Theater simply makes you a better human being.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love our neighborhood of Highland Park and the surrounding area, so I would hit up my favorite spots:

Coffee at Kumquat
Villa’s for a breakfast taco
A hike by JPL
Lunch at Joy
A movie at Vidiots
Beers/burgers/fries at The Hermasillo

Breakfast at Mary’s Market in Sierra Madre followed by a walk on the trail
Shopping on York: Shorthand, Dotter, Two Son’s, Crush & Touch
A cocktail at Capri Club
Wine and the entire menu at Sam’s Place

Other local spots:
The Huntington Gardens
Bob Baker
Bagels/matzoh ball soup from Belle’s
Bub & Grandmas – everything on the menu
Ggiata Delicatessen for lunch
A piercing at Golden Age?!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout is dedicated to the Eliot Arts Drama & Dance students and their families.

Website: https://www.mollielief.com