A few years ago, a disgruntled member of a student acapella group at the school where I taught decided to go start her own group. She found a few members, but they never managed a performance that I heard of. The challenges of finding rehearsal space and performance space, not to mention a piano, microphones, sound engineer, etc., were more than a bit of pique could give them the energy to work through.
Smile, wish them luck, but don't give them any more help than you would give to any other theatre group, and under the same arrangements. If you normally rent costumes, then give them the usual price if they come looking for costumes.
I agree with Amy about clearly defining the reasons you are fundraising. Perhaps make a program-type brochure, including your mission statement, listing your Thespian officers, and very clearly articulating the amount of money needed for very specific projects. You can send your active participants out to local businesses to make the first contact. List your own contact information in the brochure. Ask the students to list businesses where they have dropped off brochures, then make a second contact as you have time to do so.
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CJ Breland
Retired Theatre Arts Educator
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-12-2021 11:13
From: Tyler Timm
Subject: Dealing with divisive students
Thank you, everyone. Your support means the world. You also make some great points! After all they say "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," so I guess I can at least tell myself that I gave them a love of the craft.
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Tyler Timm
Director of Theatre
Lake Country Lutheran High School
Original Message:
Sent: 05-12-2021 10:54
From: Raymond Palasz
Subject: Dealing with divisive students
Wish them well. As others have said, we all know how much work it is to do what they want to do.
Let them know you are there for them if they need anything. Even offer to lend them stuff if they need it. But make them sign a contract with an adult regarding the use of such items. Because that's what it's like in the professional world.
If they have the drive, it'll be a success. If not it'll fizzle out.
I know the comments they may make can be hurtful. I'm finally just rid of some of that toxicity myself in my own program. This too shall pass.
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Raymond Palasz
Auditorium Director/Director of Theatre
Munster High School
Original Message:
Sent: 05-11-2021 10:05
From: Tyler Timm
Subject: Dealing with divisive students
Two students who have been upset with me for not giving them bigger roles in the past have gone and started their own theatre company. They've used social media and backstage discussions to lure many of my students (cast and crew) to work on their show this summer. They've also used a GoFundMe to get funding for their show/company from the same donors that we use (fine-arts families, community members, etc.) while our school is trying to fundraise to finish our new theater storage space. Anytime I try to talk with them about it, they say that it's innocent and just something fun for them to do, but I'm told my many of my students and other volunteers that they are trash-talking me and my program behind my back. They have plans to do produce their own shows for several seasons, which will very likely continue to compete with ours. I'm completely at a loss with how to deal with this kind of behavior.
Has anyone else out there has something like this happen? What did you do?
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Tyler Timm
Director of Theatre
Lake Country Lutheran High School
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