Karen Douyon is a teaching fellow in the Theatre and Dance Department, a House Counselor in Stimson House, and the faculty advisor for Curly Hair Club. Aside from a passion for performance-based arts, Douyon enjoys tarot reading as well as making things from scratch, and her favorite play is “Bourbon at the Border.”
1. You have been teaching since you were 14. How did that journey begin and how is it impacting you now?
Every summer, [my school] has a volunteer program called Horizons of the Jersey Shore, where they take students from Red Bank, known for a weaker school system with many low-income kids, to my old middle school for summer sessions from eight to three, teaching Math, English, Reading, Science, and Enrichment to prevent the summer slide, forgetting everything learned from the year before until the next school year, especially since many of these kids weren’t on par with their reading levels. I started as a teacher’s assistant when I was 14, fresh out of eighth grade. I’d collect the tests, lead them to recess, and bring them to lunch, but the teachers did all the work. By the time I was 16, 17, after working there every summer for two or three years, I became my own teacher with my own class… It felt really good to be a safe space for these kids because I was one of the only people who looked like them in the teaching faculty, and it felt nice to connect with them that way… My philosophy as a teacher is, ‘How can you be you in the fullest way possible?’ Because I’m gonna be me in the fullest way possible, and my mindset inspires my students to not be afraid of being loud, or not be afraid of being quiet, or not be afraid of being the person who shoots their hand up.
2. You transitioned from performing to focusing on theater and drama. Can you explain how those early experiences shaped your current love for performance and your journey in theater?
I started because a girl told me I couldn’t, and I was like, “Watch me.” But, it transformed from resentment into genuine curiosity and love for the craft. It also came from the desire to follow my path. There’s a moment in every young person’s life when they stop listening to what their parents, friends, or teachers want them to do, and they choose what makes them passionate. That’s what I did. I chose the thing that made me light up, the thing that made me stay all day, be the first person there and the last to leave. I wanted to create a life around what I love, find ways to make money, and provide for myself while still pursuing my passion. Being here at Andover, it doesn’t feel like work. Even though I teach second period, it doesn’t feel like work getting up because I love seeing the work my students bring to me. It’s magical being able to learn as an actor from them.
3. What are your thoughts on the future of theater? What do you want theater to be like in an ideal world?
I want theater to be more accessible to communities. Right now, theater is very much a “if your budget allows” situation. In many places, just like there are food deserts, there are what I call “art deserts.” If you live in a community already underserved with education and food disparities, going to the theater to see a show is the last thing on your mind. But culture is a rich part of life, and I’d want to see economic disparities addressed because they lead to a lack of cultural connection and development in the arts… In an ideal world, I’d change people’s mindset about theater. Even with my own parents, I had to remind them that they took me to see “The Lion King” and Broadway shows, but when it came to choosing a profession, they wouldn’t have picked something in the arts for me. They valued practicality, but what’s not practical about theater if art is life? We, as humans, decide what’s practical. The next generation can make the choice to support and incorporate theater into their lives.
4. What are your thoughts on artificial intelligence in scriptwriting?
One of the key issues was that we don’t want to be replaced by machines, especially when it comes to something as personal as writing. Writers are trained to craft stories based on human experiences. AI lacks the cognitive depth to generate the same kinds of emotional resonance. I agree with the argument that writers shouldn’t be pushed out for the convenience of a computer. AI is great for tools like spell check, sentence structure, and grammar, but when it comes to creating content, there’s a loss of value when it’s written by something without human emotion. Think about your favorite show, the moments that make you shed a tear, feel joy, or get goosebumps. It’s humans who create those feelings because we share them. When I write a play, I’m not just thinking about what sounds good to me; I’m thinking about how the audience will feel. The beauty of writing lies not just in the ending but in how the writer takes you there.
5. What do you like making from scratch?
I’ve made so many things from scratch, like hair products, conditioners, and toothpaste. Fun fact: I recently burned myself with my steamer, and I had this big burn on my chest, so I made a poultice with herbs and honey and put that on the burn. You can’t even tell there was a burn there now, but I ended up with a rash from the adhesive on the band-aid, so I switched to using rice paper instead, which sticks better and acts like a second skin.
6. As the faculty advisor for the Curly Hair Club, what goals do you have for the club, and how do you see it impacting the student community?
Every person of color has a different journey with their hair, especially Black students in independent schools. I’ve had my own journey with wearing my hair natural versus straight, getting braids, or protective styles. In middle school, I wore my hair natural for the first time, just a curly Afro, and I got made fun of. I’d wear it in a bun, and my mom would let me straighten it once a year for the start of the school year… There’s a whole ecosystem of knowledge that comes with Black hair. When I was asked to be a part of the Curly Hair Club as an advisor, I was excited because I’m passionate about my hair and journey. In high school, girls would come with braids, and sometimes they wouldn’t redo them until Christmas break because no one wanted to help them take the braids out, or they didn’t have access to salons that knew how to do Black hair. I want to be an advocate for students to get the resources they need and a safe space to talk about the nuances of Black hair. There are real challenges, like needing the Crown Act to protect Black students from discrimination based on hairstyles.
7. How has tarot reading played a role in your life?
Everyone has their own religious beliefs, and one of my friends was scared to get a reading from me because she’s Christian and believes in God. I told her I’m Christian too; I grew up in the church and believe in God. For me, tarot is just a way to connect with God’s wisdom. I’ve been doing it for about five years now, starting right before the pandemic. When I read for others, I realize how beautiful it can be because I can help people I don’t even know.
8. What was your most shocking reading?
One of the most surprising experiences was with a friend while we were sitting by the water in New York City. I always carry my tarot deck with me because you never know when you’ll want to read. I told her, “Someone betrayed you, and it’s really hurting you. You need to voice that feeling.” As she listened, she started crying and opened up about what was happening in her life. She expressed how much it meant to her that I gave her permission to feel her emotions. That moment was impactful for me because I realized how significant it is to help someone validate their feelings, especially since I’m all about feelings. I’m a Cancer, so that’s part of my nature.
9. Why is your favorite play “Bourbon at the Border”?
It is about freedom writers and the effects of being part of the civil rights movement on Black people. The freedom writers were brave, and that bravery has translated throughout my life. I’ve had to be brave to do many things in my life. I always reflect on my ancestors and the people who have paved the way for me to be authentic and be in theater and places like Andover. I’m grateful for all the people who have sacrificed for me. Looking at that play, it’s a culmination of sacrifices made by characters emotionally, mentally, and physically. That play was the first one that showed me that I really am an actress.
10. You’re helping with the winter play. What are you most excited about?
We haven’t started yet, but I’m really excited. I like to absorb as much information as I can before contributing. I prefer to think and plan before things happen. I get to assist the two main directors in the theater department and act as their wingperson, which is amazing. I love watching people in the industry who have experience and insight. Observing them work, seeing how they each approach things differently, is inspiring. I get to discern what I like and don’t like, helping me shape my own pedagogy and directing style.
