We can't tell you everything we know about putting on a school play in a single blog post, but we can try to hit some quick highlights. Here's the basic process of taking a play from the script you've selected to that first public performance, as smoothly and enjoyably as possible.
FIGURE OUT THE TECH FIRST
You can do most plays, especially when the scripts are geared towards school plays and educational theatre, without any serious set building. There are plenty of plays that have minimal costume and prop requirements, too—and plenty that can definitely benefit from a little extra assistance in the technical department.
Decide what's best for your play, and with your resources, early on in the process. Chances are there will be a lot of jobs you can ask parents or colleagues to pitch in with, and getting the asking done early on—and setting deadlines that can be missed a few times—will prevent several of the common problems that crop up suddenly on opening night.
DIRECTING IS FIXING THE MISTAKES MADE IN CASTING
This pithy quip has been attributed to several cantankerous theatre helmers, and while its truth can be debated by members of the profession there's no question that it applies to school plays. Put the wrong students in the wrong roles—not simply based on talent, but based on personality and the impact they'll have on the production's teamwork—and you'll spend a lot of time simply trying to hold things together rather than actively moving things forward.
Give everyone important roles to play, on and/or off stage, and cast your play the way you as though you were building a team for any other endeavor. It will help the cast, help the play, and teach your students some important lessons. Remember, too, that when it comes to casting, you're the expert. Take your time to craft your casting, and once that list is up, stand firm—you know what's best! l
LET PRACTICE BE PRACTICE
Rehearsing your play isn't about quickly figuring out the "right" way to do things and setting it in stone. It's about letting your students explore, try things, suggest ideas, and figure out what might work. It's about practicing so they can develop a sense of empowerment and responsibility for the parts they play in making the drama as a whole come together.
Rehearsals will make up the vast majority of the time you spend on this play, and approaching these rehearsals with an exploratory attitude will save you a lot of stress and help produce a more successful outcome. Guide rather than dictate, and when the time to get ready for performance comes help your students lock in their final decisions, rather than simply handing them your own.
There are plenty of other tips we could offer, of course, and we'll delve more deeply into different parts of the school play process in future articles, these three tips alone will take you far. Cross technical concerns off your list early, put your team together the best way you can, and let you and your students discover as you go along, and you'll be well ahead of the play-producing pack.