Tosa East Theatre Director Thaney's Contract Not Renewed

After 50 years in high school drama, the past 16 at Wauwatosa East High School at the helm of the Tosa East Players, director Tom Thaney's contract will not be renewed for next year.

Thaney, in a brief statement Thursday, said that East Principal Nick Hughes had taken the decision.

Thaney statement reads:

"To all the Friends of Theater Arts,

"It is with shock and sadness that I must announce my departure from Tosa East.

"Mr. Hughes envisions a 'new direction' for the theater program that will not include me.

"I have been honored and proud to be the Theater Director for the last sixteen years. Words cannot convey how this role has enriched my life and how much it will be missed.

"Thanks for the memories! – Tom Thaney"

Thaney started directing school drama 50 years ago and spent 30 years in the Elmbrook School District before moving to Wauwatosa East. For his long tenure at Elmbrook alone, he was inducted in November 2011 into the first class of honorees of the Wisconsin High School Forensic Association's then-new Theatre Directors Hall of Fame.

At East, directing the Tosa East Players, Thaney became known for challenging his high school students to perform and produce at a professional level. Thaney frequently chose to stage full-scale Broadway productions with no holds barred.

In spring 2011, for instance, considered perhaps the most complex and challenging musical yet staged. The show is still held up as an example of eye-popping production values from an amateur theatre group.

Thaney holds a bachelor of arts degree from Concordia University River Forest, a bachelor's of science in education from UW-Whitewater, and a master of arts degree in theater arts from Schiller International University in Strasbourg, France.

He also served several terms on the Forensic Association's board of directors as well as with the state forensics coaches association, and has been a state adjudicator in Madison at state forensics competitions.

Thaney began his education career teaching social studies at the middle school level and started directing even then. He taught speech and theater during his high school tenure with Elmbrook and after establishing himself began to win strings of awards at state competitions.

At Elmbrook, Thaney's productions went to state in nine years, winning him eight outstanding director awards and his students' eight critic's choice awards.

Tosa East never chose to join the association and so has never competed. The Tosa East Players date to 1928 and operate independent of the school budget, producing their shows on ticket revenues rather than tax-levy support.