Open Forum

I'm in the process of determining my eligibility system for my theater students, specifically how Thespian points are allocated.

 Along with teaching and producing theater in the high school, my wife and I are the co-producers of the community theater in residence at our city's performance space. I work with my students in two capacities: one as the theater teacher at the high school, and one as the producer/director of the community theater, where the students also act, stage manage, and work tech crews.

 I understand from the Thespian troupe handbook that up to 5 of the 10 points required for induction may come from outside of school. My two questions are:

• What happens after that? Is it 'understood' that at least half of the student's points must come from school, or is there a different system in place?
• I'm curious whether the points possible from the community theater company might count as school points. We perform for the schools frequently, and I design lesson plans and provide extra-credit opportunities based on the shows the community theater presents, as another means to get my students involved in creating and attending the theater.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

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Josh Kauffman
Teacher
Winfield City Schools
Winfield AL
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I've always understood it as the rest coming from school points. I try to ensure that there are multiple opportunities so the kids can do this. One of the best ways I've found is having them tech for other performances on campus. They tech the improv shows, the dance concerts, the talent show, the Mr. BHS show, and any elementary shows that rent our space.  Having these opportunities, in addition to the theatre shows, has pretty much insured that everyone has the ability to earn the necessary points.

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Shira Schwartz
Chandler Unified School District
Chandler AZ
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I have a matching system.  They can earn up to an equivalent number of points from outside of school as they do inside of school.  I want to encourage participation in theatre outside of our school, but our Troupe is chartered for our school so they must participate in school to get inducted and other awards.  I have had a few kids over the years who want to be recognized but don't want to participate in school shows.  Primarily these are students who go to local private schools because they can get bigger parts (Boys go to girls schools and visa versa).  I totally respect that, but don't believe my school budget should provide them with awards.

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Amy Learn
Ballwin MO
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