E. Marcia Dobbs Hougen

My teaching experiences since leaving AHS continue below. Other professional experiences include: Teaching woodwinds privately, playing in Charlottesville Municipal Band and other ensembles, directing church choirs in VA and SC; and conducting workshops and massed choirs for Church events. Singing in several large and small choral groups and ensembles in VA, SC, and PA. Managed gift shops, bookstore, and retail stores. Was tour guide at Monticello. Now I spend my time singing, traveling and enjoying my grandchildren.

I was a Faculty member from 1967 to 1981.Since leaving AHS, I married Rev. Dr. John B Hougen, a Lutheran Pastor. Went to UVA for graduate school.- Received a MFA in Drama. Moved to Columbia, South Carolina: Associate Director of a Professional Children's Theatre: Patchwork Players, and part time professor of Speech at Columbia College; Dean of Students, and English/Fashion teacher at Columbia Junior College, a business college. Moved to Elkton, Maryland: Drama teacher at The Sanford School in Hockessin, Delaware, and Speech adjunct at Delaware Community and Technical College. Moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Developed Communications Curriculum for a new Workforce Initiative called PhAME..Philadelphia Area Accelerated Manufacturing Education, Inc., and named Visiting Lecturer for Community College of Philadelphia assigned to PhAME. Later became Adjunct Professor of English/Communications (Speech) at CCP until my retirement in December 2014.

1967-1981 (substitute 1982-1983)

Taught English, Drama, Speech
Sponsored Albemarle Players, Thespians
Co-founded the Award-winning "Mime's Bigger Than Yours" Mime Troupe with Michael Weeks
Directed Plays, Musicals, and One Acts; Coached Forensics; Choreographed for Music Dept.; and on occasion, played with Concert Band and announced the Marching Band half-time shows.
Thespian Troupe 500 Sponsor, Virginia State Director, Region 14 Director, and Member of International Board of Trustees of International Thespian Society
Organized numerous State, Regional, and International Theatre Conferences and Festivals, and participated by performing and/or presenting workshops and seminars with Albemarle students at AHS, or other locations - including the International Thespian Society Conference in Muncie, Indiana every two years.

Dear Mr. Hurt,

Words cannot express my gratitude to you for the 14 years we worked together (1967-1981). I know I pushed your buttons a few times because of my crazy requests, and unruly classrooms, but deep down I always felt your support and pride for the accomplishments our students made in the Dramatic Arts. Actors, singers, dancers, musicians, speakers, assistants, designers, crew members - all knew that in the end you were pleased with their efforts.

Currently I am an Adjunct Professor at Community College of Philadelphia teaching Public Speaking. There is not a day that goes by that I do not reflect back on my days at Albemarle by re-telling a funny story, recalling a creative incident, or remembering the poignant performance of . . . .

Thank you for the opportunity to learn from you, grow in my craft, and become a better teacher.

Thanks for the Memories, Mr. Hurt.

With love and respect,

E. Marcia (Dobbs) Hougen

Currently....E. Marcia Dobbs Hougen
Previously....Mrs. Dobbs, Marcia Dobbs, or E. Marcia Dobbs
1968 to 1981