I'm in year 24 of directing in a small town in northern Wisconsin. My first musical was also really well-received, but one decision that has made this more sustainable for me - because of the overwhelming task of a musical without a lot of extra adult help - has been doing one every other year. We are a 9-12 school, so a student gets the opportunity as an underclassman, as well as an upperclassman.
Eventually, we added a combined music and theatre Renaissance Dinner opposite the musicals, so there was something every fall. This was nice <g class="gr_ gr_818 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="818" data-gr-id="818">because</g> costumes, props, set, etc. could be reused every two years. The workload was much less intense than a musical.
However, the big idea here is that
every other year made it more sustainable for me, over the span of 20+ years.
Best of luck with your choice!
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Amy Pelle, Director of Theatre at Rice Lake High School
Rice Lake WI
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-14-2017 22:00
From: Taylor Horne
Subject: Huge Fall Musical
Does anyone put on a huge fall musical every single year and if so, do you like doing this? Is it really great for your students, your program, and your community? My administration thankfully loved my first show, but is now requesting it become a tradition. I'm nervous to agree to something so long term.
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Taylor Horne
Upper School Theatre Director
Jacksonville FL
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