I get a little nervous when teachers tell me that their students vote on a show or are heavily involved with show selection. While I love that students are learning about the programming process, things can get a bit tricky if the shows aren't available or the students post about the show prior to confirming licensing. I advise applying for licensing once the group gets to the top three or four titles for each season slot, determining availability, voting, paying for the license, and then announcing the show.
250 W. 57th Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10107-0102
Original Message:
Sent: 06-07-2023 13:14
From: Sullivan Mackintosh
Subject: Student input on Play Selection
I have a play evaluation committee. After a couple of tries, we've found that it works well for my tech director and I to choose ~3 plays per slot (fall play, spring musical) that we think would be a good fit/doable for our group, then ask students to evaluate those choices. I prepare a summary, full synopsis, and (where possible) copy of the script.
My feedback forms are pretty extensive; I tell students that they'll get to express their preference but that they also need to consider each play on its own merit, so my questions are along the lines of:
"What would be new, different, interesting, or exciting for ACTORS in [Play A]?"
"What would be new, different, interesting, or exciting for DESIGNERS/TECHNICIANS for [Play A]?"
"What would be new, different, interesting, or exciting for AUDIENCES seeing [Play A]?"
Repeat for Play B, Play C, etc. You can also ask about what they think might be good challenges for each show, etc. Then, "What is your PERSONAL first choice, and why?" If students want input, they have to be ready to think deeply! I offer 1 thespian point for being on this committee.
I also tell them that while their feedback will be a primary deciding factor, it is not the only factor; admin feedback, licensing availability/fees, tech needs, balance with other shows in the season... are all also considered!
It's also nice to have their written answers to be able to share with admin, which shows them how the students are engaging with the process and can help with admin push-back, if that ever comes up.
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Sullivan Mackintosh
Drama Advisor/Theater Director
Canby Union High School
OR
Original Message:
Sent: 06-06-2023 09:49
From: Blake Wilson
Subject: Student input on Play Selection
This year, I've asked for student input and feedback on play selection (first time I've tried this after years of just choosing the shows myself). Would love some advice from those of you who have done this.
My committee of students that is advising me has taken the process seriously (to their credit) and they have fully considered all of the criteria that I have asked them to consider for selection and the shows that they are proposing are realistically do-able for us.
As one might expect, all of the titles they're proposing are very "fun" titles that are crowd pleasers without much educational value (imo) and/or are not very challenging for them. I'm fine with ONE of our shows being a fun crowd pleaser, but I also want some balance in our season.
So, I'm considering going with ONE of the shows they recommended, but then choosing the other show myself.
I didn't promise them that they would get to choose a certain number of shows, but I'm also concerned that no matter what I do, they'll end up with hurt feelings unless I choose only the shows they proposed (even though I explicitly did not promise them that).
For those of you who allow student input on shows, what advice do you have for navigating this discussion?
NOTE: I'm respectfully asking for specific constructive advice on this. I am well aware that many teachers don't allow student input precisely to avoid situations like this, so I don't need to be reminded/told why I shouldn't allow them to have input. This is the decision I have made this year...so I'd like to make it work as best I can.
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Blake Wilson
Theatre Arts Director
Orange High School
NC
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