Open Forum

Hi everyone. For those of you who've taught theatre in both middle school AND high school, I'm curious to hear about what you noticed are the differences between the two groups of students. Further, I think there is much that can be learned from how you handled the change. What would you tell your peers considering a change like that for next school year? Thanks in advance. (PS. Happy New Year!)

------------------------------
David LaFleche
Director Of Membership
Educational Theatre Association
Cincinnati OH
------------------------------

I loved teaching middle school and I love high schoolers, too, both for similar and different reasons. They are both fun, sassy, energetic, and real.

When I taught middle school/junior high, I always approached them with a few key ideas in mind:

1. When talking with them, treat them as equals because that's how they perceive the relationship; i.e. don't talk down to them, but rather as though they are on your same level when they are learning the subject. They will respect you more and be more eager to push themselves.

2. Give them recess like they are in elementary school; they are children and need the time to play without obstruction. Besides, it'll help get the energy out and allow them to focus when they need it.

3. Every day is a new day; treat it as a clean slate because you will both need to be forgiven when you have a rough day. It's better to apologize and accept your own faults with them publicly so they can see we are human, too, trying to improve ourselves and maybe will do the same when it's their turn.

4. Allow every five minutes to be new; laugh when they are being ridiculous (although you may want to wait to laugh when you get home) and count to ten (several times?) when you are getting frustrated. Remember when you were a ridiculous teenager? Yes, good! No? Maybe hit up that yearbook and remind yourself about how ridiculous you were, too. Good thing we can turn out right in the end with a little tough love and gentle guidance.

As for high school, my approach shifted a bit. High schoolers can be more independent than MS students, so I rely on them more for leading, not just following with a guide. I really had to move away from the "rewards" thinking often prevalent in MS and move into specifically connecting the dots to the real world. It feels like it is more immediate because "life" happens in a few years.

The jump I made nine years ago, after teaching middle school for eleven years, and it was a big shift since I was going from a fairly privileged middle school to an impoverished high school. However, I've enjoyed the change. I appreciate the intensity high school suffers for testing, pressure for graduation rates, college decisions, letters of recommendation, and all that we associate with those last years and then some. The work load definitely increased, but I'm enjoying it. If you feel ready, go for it. If not, and you are enjoying middle school, stay put until you make the leap; you'll know when it's time. Just remember that simply because MS includes lower grades doesn't make it any less important. Sometimes HS is seen as some sort of pinnacle, but really, it's all part of the larger picture each student receives in their educational story. You are a part of that success, whatever the grade.

------------------------------
Jo Strom Lane
Theatre Teacher and Director
Portland Public Schools
Portland OR

Original Message:
Sent: 12-30-2015 14:47
From: David LaFleche
Subject: Middle vs high school students - different or not?

Hi everyone. For those of you who've taught theatre in both middle school AND high school, I'm curious to hear about what you noticed are the differences between the two groups of students. Further, I think there is much that can be learned from how you handled the change. What would you tell your peers considering a change like that for next school year? Thanks in advance. (PS. Happy New Year!)

------------------------------
David LaFleche
Director Of Membership
Educational Theatre Association
Cincinnati OH
------------------------------

Middle school kids - aside from going through tremendous physical changes that can be overwhelming - are also developmentally different in what their brains can do. They are just hitting the stage where abstract thought is something they get. I found that my more developed kids could handle most things that a HS kid could, but many kids I would say - okay, you're 21. you're claustrophobic, you're stuck in an elevator with you're new boss - ...and I lost them at "okay, you're 21".  That's one big difference. Expect that even the best kid will challenge you one day, they can't help it. The changes they are experiences are tremendous and dramatic. It's not the same kid in your class from day to day, give them room to change, understanding, and support. And high expectations. And treat them like real people - even like real fully formed people (though they are not). It also helps teaching middle school to be a little crazy, the kids like that and it helps you deal with the challenges. :)

HS, much easier. They are (brain wise) much further developed, can use abstract thought, etc. The drawback may be that they are often much less willing to take a chance and look stupid (also a problem in MS but they still have a little kid inside them). Provide them a safe place to do so, and the work they can do is astounding. Again, treat them with respect, be a little crazy, and as always - be honest at all times - they have much more highly attuned BS detectors. Challenge them always, but also back off and let them lead each other, the more work they do (and less you do), the more they learn.

My .02

------------------------------
Jeffrey Davis
Plainsboro NJ

Original Message:
Sent: 12-30-2015 21:58
From: Jo Lane
Subject: Middle vs high school students - different or not?

I loved teaching middle school and I love high schoolers, too, both for similar and different reasons. They are both fun, sassy, energetic, and real.

When I taught middle school/junior high, I always approached them with a few key ideas in mind:

1. When talking with them, treat them as equals because that's how they perceive the relationship; i.e. don't talk down to them, but rather as though they are on your same level when they are learning the subject. They will respect you more and be more eager to push themselves.

2. Give them recess like they are in elementary school; they are children and need the time to play without obstruction. Besides, it'll help get the energy out and allow them to focus when they need it.

3. Every day is a new day; treat it as a clean slate because you will both need to be forgiven when you have a rough day. It's better to apologize and accept your own faults with them publicly so they can see we are human, too, trying to improve ourselves and maybe will do the same when it's their turn.

4. Allow every five minutes to be new; laugh when they are being ridiculous (although you may want to wait to laugh when you get home) and count to ten (several times?) when you are getting frustrated. Remember when you were a ridiculous teenager? Yes, good! No? Maybe hit up that yearbook and remind yourself about how ridiculous you were, too. Good thing we can turn out right in the end with a little tough love and gentle guidance.

As for high school, my approach shifted a bit. High schoolers can be more independent than MS students, so I rely on them more for leading, not just following with a guide. I really had to move away from the "rewards" thinking often prevalent in MS and move into specifically connecting the dots to the real world. It feels like it is more immediate because "life" happens in a few years.

The jump I made nine years ago, after teaching middle school for eleven years, and it was a big shift since I was going from a fairly privileged middle school to an impoverished high school. However, I've enjoyed the change. I appreciate the intensity high school suffers for testing, pressure for graduation rates, college decisions, letters of recommendation, and all that we associate with those last years and then some. The work load definitely increased, but I'm enjoying it. If you feel ready, go for it. If not, and you are enjoying middle school, stay put until you make the leap; you'll know when it's time. Just remember that simply because MS includes lower grades doesn't make it any less important. Sometimes HS is seen as some sort of pinnacle, but really, it's all part of the larger picture each student receives in their educational story. You are a part of that success, whatever the grade.

------------------------------
Jo Strom Lane
Theatre Teacher and Director
Portland Public Schools
Portland OR

Hear hear, Jeffrey D!

------------------------------
Lori Constable
Teacher; director of Drama
Independent District 112
Chanhassen MN

Original Message:
Sent: 12-31-2015 08:09
From: Jeffrey Davis
Subject: Middle vs high school students - different or not?

Middle school kids - aside from going through tremendous physical changes that can be overwhelming - are also developmentally different in what their brains can do. They are just hitting the stage where abstract thought is something they get. I found that my more developed kids could handle most things that a HS kid could, but many kids I would say - okay, you're 21. you're claustrophobic, you're stuck in an elevator with you're new boss - ...and I lost them at "okay, you're 21".  That's one big difference. Expect that even the best kid will challenge you one day, they can't help it. The changes they are experiences are tremendous and dramatic. It's not the same kid in your class from day to day, give them room to change, understanding, and support. And high expectations. And treat them like real people - even like real fully formed people (though they are not). It also helps teaching middle school to be a little crazy, the kids like that and it helps you deal with the challenges. :)

HS, much easier. They are (brain wise) much further developed, can use abstract thought, etc. The drawback may be that they are often much less willing to take a chance and look stupid (also a problem in MS but they still have a little kid inside them). Provide them a safe place to do so, and the work they can do is astounding. Again, treat them with respect, be a little crazy, and as always - be honest at all times - they have much more highly attuned BS detectors. Challenge them always, but also back off and let them lead each other, the more work they do (and less you do), the more they learn.

My .02

------------------------------
Jeffrey Davis
Plainsboro NJ

I really like what has been said here, and I concur. I teach both MS and HS, in public school and outside of school in my community theater company. First, I find that middle school students are much more capable than most people/teachers give them credit for. They can be challenged and stretched. One reason so much that is written for them drives me crazy is that it is "dumbed down," which panders to their worst instincts rather than raising the bar for them. Yes, lots of humor/silly stuff helps when working with MS students, but I have watched them raise and tackle serious issues, and they are powerful and proud of themselves when they do.

HS students, on the other hand, can have a lot more difficulty doing goofy stuff; they're so worried about what others will think that they can have difficulty letting loose. Many of them are stiff! But those who aren't can take their performances to a whole new level, and are incredibly rewarding to work with. 

In my company, I get to watch them develop from elementary through high school, acting year after year. It's great because I can remind them of what they were like and could/couldn't do when they were young. Then they can see it for themselves by watching younger versions of themselves acting in the company. No instruction could ever teach them as well. That's why I really like multi-age classes and productions.

------------------------------
Richard Carter
Author/Director: Community Shakespeare Company;
MS/HS Teacher, Lopez Schools
Lopez Island, WA

Original Message:
Sent: 12-31-2015 08:09
From: Jeffrey Davis
Subject: Middle vs high school students - different or not?

Middle school kids - aside from going through tremendous physical changes that can be overwhelming - are also developmentally different in what their brains can do. They are just hitting the stage where abstract thought is something they get. I found that my more developed kids could handle most things that a HS kid could, but many kids I would say - okay, you're 21. you're claustrophobic, you're stuck in an elevator with you're new boss - ...and I lost them at "okay, you're 21".  That's one big difference. Expect that even the best kid will challenge you one day, they can't help it. The changes they are experiences are tremendous and dramatic. It's not the same kid in your class from day to day, give them room to change, understanding, and support. And high expectations. And treat them like real people - even like real fully formed people (though they are not). It also helps teaching middle school to be a little crazy, the kids like that and it helps you deal with the challenges. :)

HS, much easier. They are (brain wise) much further developed, can use abstract thought, etc. The drawback may be that they are often much less willing to take a chance and look stupid (also a problem in MS but they still have a little kid inside them). Provide them a safe place to do so, and the work they can do is astounding. Again, treat them with respect, be a little crazy, and as always - be honest at all times - they have much more highly attuned BS detectors. Challenge them always, but also back off and let them lead each other, the more work they do (and less you do), the more they learn.

My .02

------------------------------
Jeffrey Davis
Plainsboro NJ

I concur with what has been said already and add a bit more from my experience. Teaching a mandatory Drama class to 8th graders (yes, doesn't that sound marvelous! Drama as a mandatory class) meant that the curriculum for 7th and 8th graders (as mapped out by the Board of Studies) needed to address their growing and as-yet, under-developed cognitive skills. Thus, while choice is important, too much is overwhelming. When in a play-built unit, for example, while they were taught about the 'spine' and the various narrative structures, we helped guide them in terms of their stimulus; that way, they weren't overwhelmed and also, it freed them up to explore the topics offered much more broadly. They are at an active, not contemplative, stage and actually, this is a plus: older students 'think' too much and lose their beautiful spontaneity; they also end up self-critiquing as they enter more advanced adolescence, particularly in mixed gender schools. Let your younger students (particularly if you are able to offer a feeder program for later course work) get reinforced in that ability to 'be' in the moment. Because they are so physical, I always start my intro course (even with older students, as it is an elective) with a comedy/clowning unit, based on the physical work of LeCoq and work done by a wonderful group in Brisbane, QLD called 'debase' theatre (I am including a URL link to a trailer for their brilliant work 'The Clown From Snowy River' so you can get a taste of it yourself The Clown from Snowy River trailer

YouTube		remove preview
The Clown from Snowy River trailer Trailer of highlights from the premier season of deBASE productions' "The Clown from Snowy River". Filmed at The Judith Wright Centre, Brisbane, Australia in May 2006. View this on YouTube >

Using their physicality, I teach some mime and the students create scenes based on music stimuli (I have found the music from Cirque du Soleil shows to be best suited to this purpose). Students create clown personae, work to tell a linear narrative, and get a feel for how the Elements of Drama are manipulated to create meaning. This way, there is less emphasis on learning lines and more emphasis on creating a character and sustaining focus. Then we move on to Commedia, etc, as they get more used to it.

With older students in senior high, because they are developing more cerebrally as well as becoming more self conscious in how they come across to others, my Intermediate students get exposed to and explore other medium of dramatic story telling; we examine design (set, costume, lighting, marketing) in terms of a class-studied play in order to learn about how many different people combine to make dramatic meaning; they also re-imagine a canonical text in modern ways--e.g. film themselves doing Shakespeare in traditional style and then edit the film for a new audience. I have also found that the older age group is more inclined and able to take on social issues, and really seem to love the social justice theatre unit looking at Brecht, Boal, Fo and more. That affords them a lot of ownership of the creation of the work as well as the performance and they see how meaningful drama is and can be in our world. This also allows them to be exposed to many ideas in case they take the Advanced Course which has a Capstone component: while I still have those who wish to produce (read 'star in') a production of sorts, I also have had some brilliant research papers, lighting designs, costume designs and more.

Each year is different, though; while some things are tried and true, I adapt to their needs and passions as best I can. We all learn and gain from that.

------------------------------
Lori Constable
Teacher; director of Drama
Independent District 112
Chanhassen MN

Original Message:
Sent: 12-30-2015 21:58
From: Jo Lane
Subject: Middle vs high school students - different or not?

I loved teaching middle school and I love high schoolers, too, both for similar and different reasons. They are both fun, sassy, energetic, and real.

When I taught middle school/junior high, I always approached them with a few key ideas in mind:

1. When talking with them, treat them as equals because that's how they perceive the relationship; i.e. don't talk down to them, but rather as though they are on your same level when they are learning the subject. They will respect you more and be more eager to push themselves.

2. Give them recess like they are in elementary school; they are children and need the time to play without obstruction. Besides, it'll help get the energy out and allow them to focus when they need it.

3. Every day is a new day; treat it as a clean slate because you will both need to be forgiven when you have a rough day. It's better to apologize and accept your own faults with them publicly so they can see we are human, too, trying to improve ourselves and maybe will do the same when it's their turn.

4. Allow every five minutes to be new; laugh when they are being ridiculous (although you may want to wait to laugh when you get home) and count to ten (several times?) when you are getting frustrated. Remember when you were a ridiculous teenager? Yes, good! No? Maybe hit up that yearbook and remind yourself about how ridiculous you were, too. Good thing we can turn out right in the end with a little tough love and gentle guidance.

As for high school, my approach shifted a bit. High schoolers can be more independent than MS students, so I rely on them more for leading, not just following with a guide. I really had to move away from the "rewards" thinking often prevalent in MS and move into specifically connecting the dots to the real world. It feels like it is more immediate because "life" happens in a few years.

The jump I made nine years ago, after teaching middle school for eleven years, and it was a big shift since I was going from a fairly privileged middle school to an impoverished high school. However, I've enjoyed the change. I appreciate the intensity high school suffers for testing, pressure for graduation rates, college decisions, letters of recommendation, and all that we associate with those last years and then some. The work load definitely increased, but I'm enjoying it. If you feel ready, go for it. If not, and you are enjoying middle school, stay put until you make the leap; you'll know when it's time. Just remember that simply because MS includes lower grades doesn't make it any less important. Sometimes HS is seen as some sort of pinnacle, but really, it's all part of the larger picture each student receives in their educational story. You are a part of that success, whatever the grade.

------------------------------
Jo Strom Lane
Theatre Teacher and Director
Portland Public Schools
Portland OR

I started my teaching career teaching middle school drama and absolutely loved it! I imagined teaching high school theatre would be even better. However, I found I did not enjoy it as much as I thought I would. Seniors were negative and checked out by December and negatively influenced the younger students' attitudes, plus I was overwhelmed teaching Tech theatre. My favorite class to teach was Theatre I which consisted mostly of freshman, which told me to head back to middle school. It's where I belong - they're fun, willing to try new stuff, still good at following rules and willing to learn.

------------------------------
Clare Anderson
Drama Teacher
Centennial CO

Original Message:
Sent: 12-30-2015 14:47
From: David LaFleche
Subject: Middle vs high school students - different or not?

Hi everyone. For those of you who've taught theatre in both middle school AND high school, I'm curious to hear about what you noticed are the differences between the two groups of students. Further, I think there is much that can be learned from how you handled the change. What would you tell your peers considering a change like that for next school year? Thanks in advance. (PS. Happy New Year!)

------------------------------
David LaFleche
Director Of Membership
Educational Theatre Association
Cincinnati OH
------------------------------

After teaching high school theatre for over 10 years, followed by several years in professional theatre, I took a job teaching theatre in a middle school. I only lasted a single year & then I high-tailed it back to high school. There were days when I wasn't even sure if I could make it through the year.  I think a lot of it depends on the teacher's disposition, not the students, as I discovered that age group did not suit me & I gained a much greater respect for the people that teach middle school. 

For me, the middle school students were too much like elementary students. They had very short attention spans & I had to keep things moving very quickly. It was exhausting, physically & mentally. It was like trying to train a group of young puppies. They are excited and energetic & eager to learn, but easily distracted by squirrels. They were super sweet & for the most part, willing to explore & get goofy. However, in a class of 40 students, where each of them want my individual attention at the same time, it could be quite overwhelming. Also, you can't really go beyond the basics & go into great depths of analysis. I have found that I can't really do that with my high school students either, until they are juniors & seniors. I believe this may be that developmentally, students are starting to connect themselves to an outside world, which allows them to understand and analyze globally, beyond their own worlds. 

But overall, I think the differences lie more with the teacher than with the students. I would not teach elementary or middle school students for all the money in the world. I connect more with the older students, which I think makes me a more effective teacher for high school students. 

------------------------------
Jeana Whitaker
Theatre Director
Mesa AZ

Original Message:
Sent: 01-01-2016 16:36
From: Clare Anderson
Subject: Middle vs high school students - different or not?

I started my teaching career teaching middle school drama and absolutely loved it! I imagined teaching high school theatre would be even better. However, I found I did not enjoy it as much as I thought I would. Seniors were negative and checked out by December and negatively influenced the younger students' attitudes, plus I was overwhelmed teaching Tech theatre. My favorite class to teach was Theatre I which consisted mostly of freshman, which told me to head back to middle school. It's where I belong - they're fun, willing to try new stuff, still good at following rules and willing to learn.

------------------------------
Clare Anderson
Drama Teacher
Centennial CO

I have been a professional actress since before most of my students' parents were born, and I came into education at a very late date without an educational background.  Because of this, I had no idea what the kids were not supposed to be able to do.  I began teaching as a favor to the Headmaster at the school where my children attend.  The ages were from 5-18 (rising 1st graders - rising 12th graders) all together for a 2 week camp production of Into The Woods, Jr. There were no auditions, it was a camp setting, most of the students had actually been in or seen a play, and it was Sondheim.  The school hadn't received the material yet and rehearsals began in 3 days.   If I had more time to think about, I am confident I would NEVER have considered doing any show.  We actually did it.  I am not going to say it was Broadway bound by any means.  But I learned something that has continued to serve me, now in my 5th year of teaching in a department that began with less than 20 students and has become 200 strong.  I treat all of them as if they were members of Actors' Equity.  Everyone has to follow Equity rules, because it is all that I know.  The only difference I find is the attention span.  If I stay on top of my game, which admittedly is exhausting, they stay on task.  The skills involved in the theatre have been around longer than any of us.  Good basics work for absolutely any age group.  You just get sit down more with the High Schoolers.  I do modifications of the same plans for all age groups.  Most days I walk away amazed by what they are capable doing.  Some days I try things just to see if they can get it.  To be honest, I have never been disappointed in them,  only in myself for not challenging them even more.  

I continue to learn more from my students everyday, and absolutely love what I am doing.  I am determined to make my students love the theatre as much as I do.  I may not get it perfect, but I am confident that my students will walk away with an appreciation for the discipline it takes to put on a production from soup to nuts.   They are not critical if they are left off the program, or if we even have one!  And after 2 years of taking over the High school, my older students have stopped counting lines.  In fact they usually don't know what their parts are in the shows until the first few rehearsals because I cast the ensemble- with a few principles.  They are simply happy to be involved in the project.

I was the student who vowed never to darken the doors of any educational facility upon my graduation.  My CCM classmates find it hysterical that I am in any classroom by choice.  But in spite of many of my professors and because of many of my former directors, coachers and teachers, I walk into my tiny theatre happy see what my kids have in store for me every day.  

To put it simply, if you treat them with respect and expect them to do the work, they will deliver the goods regardless of their age.   

------------------------------
Noelle Laufer
Teacher
St. Thomas' Episcopal School
Houston TX

Original Message:
Sent: 12-30-2015 14:47
From: David LaFleche
Subject: Middle vs high school students - different or not?

Hi everyone. For those of you who've taught theatre in both middle school AND high school, I'm curious to hear about what you noticed are the differences between the two groups of students. Further, I think there is much that can be learned from how you handled the change. What would you tell your peers considering a change like that for next school year? Thanks in advance. (PS. Happy New Year!)

------------------------------
David LaFleche
Director Of Membership
Educational Theatre Association
Cincinnati OH
------------------------------

We officially launched our middle school program where I am, now, in 1997. However, I've been directing middle school actors since 1977. In 2007 I was asked to take over the high school program. Between our middle and high schools we do five productions per year.

The two main differences between middle and high school theatre are

1) Peer pressure (mainly boys) to drop out of theatre.

2) More choices for extracurriculars when moving on to high school

On the plus side:

1) Our middle school program feeds our high school program.

2) I work with many of the same students for seven years (grades 6-12)

3) We truly become a family and trust each other.

4) I know them well enough to know what motivates each student/actor.

5) I know their work ethic.

6)  I'm able to work with the student actor/athlete's schedule in a positive way.

7) High school students can coach the middle school actors.

8) High school students can help the middle school choreographers.

It's wonderful working with both groups in the same year! I love it. 

------------------------------
Thomas Cole
Bay City MI

Original Message:
Sent: 01-05-2016 23:28
From: Noelle Laufer
Subject: Middle vs high school students - different or not?

I have been a professional actress since before most of my students' parents were born, and I came into education at a very late date without an educational background.  Because of this, I had no idea what the kids were not supposed to be able to do.  I began teaching as a favor to the Headmaster at the school where my children attend.  The ages were from 5-18 (rising 1st graders - rising 12th graders) all together for a 2 week camp production of Into The Woods, Jr. There were no auditions, it was a camp setting, most of the students had actually been in or seen a play, and it was Sondheim.  The school hadn't received the material yet and rehearsals began in 3 days.   If I had more time to think about, I am confident I would NEVER have considered doing any show.  We actually did it.  I am not going to say it was Broadway bound by any means.  But I learned something that has continued to serve me, now in my 5th year of teaching in a department that began with less than 20 students and has become 200 strong.  I treat all of them as if they were members of Actors' Equity.  Everyone has to follow Equity rules, because it is all that I know.  The only difference I find is the attention span.  If I stay on top of my game, which admittedly is exhausting, they stay on task.  The skills involved in the theatre have been around longer than any of us.  Good basics work for absolutely any age group.  You just get sit down more with the High Schoolers.  I do modifications of the same plans for all age groups.  Most days I walk away amazed by what they are capable doing.  Some days I try things just to see if they can get it.  To be honest, I have never been disappointed in them,  only in myself for not challenging them even more.  

I continue to learn more from my students everyday, and absolutely love what I am doing.  I am determined to make my students love the theatre as much as I do.  I may not get it perfect, but I am confident that my students will walk away with an appreciation for the discipline it takes to put on a production from soup to nuts.   They are not critical if they are left off the program, or if we even have one!  And after 2 years of taking over the High school, my older students have stopped counting lines.  In fact they usually don't know what their parts are in the shows until the first few rehearsals because I cast the ensemble- with a few principles.  They are simply happy to be involved in the project.

I was the student who vowed never to darken the doors of any educational facility upon my graduation.  My CCM classmates find it hysterical that I am in any classroom by choice.  But in spite of many of my professors and because of many of my former directors, coachers and teachers, I walk into my tiny theatre happy see what my kids have in store for me every day.  

To put it simply, if you treat them with respect and expect them to do the work, they will deliver the goods regardless of their age.   

------------------------------
Noelle Laufer
Teacher
St. Thomas' Episcopal School
Houston TX

We officially launched our middle school program where I am, now, in 1997. However, I've been directing middle school actors since 1977. In 2007 I was asked to take over the high school program. Between our middle and high schools we do five productions per year.

The two main differences between middle and high school theatre are

1) Peer pressure (mainly boys) to drop out of theatre.

2) More choices for extracurriculars when moving on to high school

On the plus side:

1) Our middle school program feeds our high school program.

2) I work with many of the same students for seven years (grades 6-12)

3) We truly become a family and trust each other.

4) I know them well enough to know what motivates each student/actor.

5) I know their work ethic.

6)  I'm able to work with the student actor/athlete's schedule in a positive way.

7) High school students can coach the middle school actors.

8) High school students can help the middle school choreographers.

It's wonderful working with both groups in the same year! I love it. 

------------------------------
Thomas Cole
Bay City MI
------------------------------