We have battled the same problem and started doing interviews as part of the application process. Students fill out applications for Student Leadership, Acting and Crews and these include a conflict calendar. I actually print out a calendar and put all potential workdays and ask students to highlight days they have conflicts with, later I come back with a production calendar with all work scheduled - often taking their conflicts into consideration to minimize absences as much as possible. Everything is signed by student and parents. Then the Sponsors meet with every student individually to go over their application and conflicts.
This process is without a doubt time consuming and a lot of work up front - we usually have 50 students per production (give or take) and interviews take about 2-5 minutes each, but it's huge in terms of the educational part of educational theatre. We schedule 3 sessions as part of our audition process. It has been a game changer for me - I have the one on one opportunity to talk to each student who wants to be involved, I get issues ironed out up front (for the most part), and have an opportunity to have private conversations with every kiddo. I see you haven't marked any conflicts, so I can count on you to schedule around these show days and be present at all of them, right? Why do I think you are ready for leadership? What do I think you need to work on to gain a stage role? What do I think you need to practice to become a designer? Why I can't put you on the team yet.
It hasn't eliminated the absences altogether, but it has given me the structure to address them more consistently when they happen. ...yesterday was not a scheduled absence for you and I didn't get an email, what happened? And then work out from there.
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Amy Learn
Ballwin MO
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-03-2020 11:28
From: Karen Wiebe
Subject: Attendance policy
Hello all!
I was just wondering if anyone had an attendance policy they would like to share. I know we all try to teach responsibility, but I have been having a problem with kids being absent. Sickness is fine, but more often than not it's "My mom scheduled an appointment for such and such." My rehearsals are 3 days a week, 3 hours a day. I purposely schedule them so they can do other things on the off days. I have told them that and the parents that. However, on their audition sheets, they put "no known conflicts" or something similar. Plus, if they are absent, even for a reason like sickness, they don't email me until either 5 minutes before rehearsal or not at all. I have tried to set up plans in place, but there's nothing that I have liked. I don't do understudies or double casting because I am not a fan of that, honestly.
I would love to see what any of you all do, and how it's handled by your parents, etc. I have a limited window between casting and rehearsals, and I typically have about 40 kids in my program.
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Karen Wiebe
Drama Director
Burlington KY
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