Having moved into several teaching positions over my 40-year career, and having spent 20+ years in teacher training, I would suggest that the old adage "you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar" would be a good guide for you. You don't have to come in with blazing star power, shaking things up, in order to revive a limping program, or to show your worth or to be an effective teacher. Play nicely. Less can generate more. I suggest trying to entice the principal's kids into your <g class="gr_ gr_14 gr-alert gr_spell gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="14" data-gr-id="14">theatre</g> program. As a newbie in the <g class="gr_ gr_16 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="16" data-gr-id="16">school</g> I suggest that you do concede to the usual school regimen and <g class="gr_ gr_15 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="15" data-gr-id="15">calendar,</g> and plan smaller but quality experiences that fit in to, not that challenge, the status quo. Little by little, year by year, the quality of your students and the way you interact with them, and what they see they get from your program will foster more quantity if students and parents begin to ask for more of what you have to give. Break a leg!
Original Message:
Sent: 11-24-2016 12:00
From: David Engel
Subject: Department Favoritism and Struggles
First of all, shout out to he 314. I'm originally from the area, on the Illinois side...
I'm in my fifth year at a terrific high school where musicals are king. It's just how it is most places. I'm more of a straight theater guy, so I stuck to that instead, as the musical was already being run by the choir and orchestra teachers. My first year, I was told "no" on several occasions. Don't do this show because you're a first-year. Wait a year to take this on, etc. But they didn't know me. Why would they give me a lot of freedom?
The administrators most likely (if they're worth their salt) appreciate your passion, but like any new position in which there has been tradition, change has to be somewhat gradual. The parents feel this way, too, strangely, and the administration gets pushback that you can't see. This sucks to hear, but we all go through it. Unless you're being hired as a kick-ass theater teacher with lots of street cred going into a performing arts school or a school with tons of performing arts respect under its belt, you're going to be told to slow down. They don't know you yet. It's great that you're setting things up already, and don't think for a second that they don't see this. And so do the other teachers, the parents, the students, and after a few years, this can't be ignored. Nor will it.
My suggestion would be to do a small studio play, or a winter play. A full length play if you can lock down the time and space. Do Our Town in the round in a black box with 70 seats. Have a night of one acts. But in your position, stay away from the musicals, as it seems they have a problem with it. Seriously Just drop it. It won't do you any good to get the administration to see you as a problem. They're like the custodians...you'll need them when it counts.
Also, I would suggest not involving the administration as much as possible in your decisions. They don't want to be bothered. They hired you so that they don't have to think about it. Kick some serious ass in what you put up. As Steve Martin once said, "Be so good that they can't ignore you."
I get told no all the time. I'm in my fifth year and my shows are insane. But limits are certainly placed upon me. But I have a lot more freedom than I used to, and I know that every year I'm there, there are fewer "no's" in my way.
Dave Engel
FM Theater
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David Engel
Theater Department Head
Fayetteville-Manlius School District
Manlius NY
Original Message:
Sent: 11-19-2016 08:45
From: Lydia-Rae Wehmeyer
Subject: Department Favoritism and Struggles
I am in need of guidance from my fellow educators that love this field as much as I do.
I am a first year teacher in a small school district where every student is in every program. I am in the process of rebuilding the theatre department from its many years in shambles and within less than 3 months, I have developed a Thespian Troupe, my Thespians will be going to their 1st state conference and currently collaborating with Special Education Department for a SPED performance. In my school district, band and choir are favored by principals support (1.They are run by a married couple and 2. the principal's children are in band and choir). In planning my season, the principals have wanted me to change my schedule (cancel and reschedule performance dates that have already been paid for) around the band and choir because they need my students that have chosen to be in my program. I have fought and said no and my dates have stayed because I did this months in advance. Because of willingness to not back down has caused some tension with the choir and band because they are not used to having a theatre teacher with a back bone and always get what they ask for.
Here's where I need the help: My school has had productions cancelled due to the poor direction of the theatre teachers in the past and haven't had a musical in 4 years. I have placed a musical on the books for the spring because my seniors would love to do one.. Originally the choir teacher because she was too busy, wouldn't be able to assist so I found other resources to help me in her place. On Friday, I got pulled into the principals office and they said that I am doing too much as a first year teacher, musicals are a big deal and that I need the choir director to help me. Also, happened to throw in that the choir teacher is doing a Broadway musical review that is a month before the musical and that they are worried because we would be using the same students that I won't really have a cast. Unfortunately, the principal pulled my musical from me to accommodate band and choir once again.
I am very frustrated and disappointed because the administration won't let me show them what I can do and also is further putting down a program they are not used to succeeded that the quick rate that it is doing. So I'm torn on what to do. One side of me is to keep fighting, maybe get a petition of the students who want to do a musical and prove to them that it's not just me who wants this, this is the student body. Also, establish another meeting explaining how (as they already know) I don't do this for my personal gain, but for my students who need this the most and have them reconsider again. Or, bow down and just accept it and then next year do it without the help of the choir and band director because of the tension.
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Lydia-Rae Wehmeyer
HS Drama and Speech Teacher
Sullivan School District
Florissant MO
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