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  • 1.  How do I get permission for a dog in LAUSD...

    Posted 08-21-2023 21:06

    Doing ANNIE next spring and my principal has said LAUSD won't allow for a dog to play Sandy but I feel there has to be a way... Anyone know how? Closest thing I can find is the permission guide for animals brought onto campus for science classes but I don't see anything that expressly say NO...  Ideas?



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    Jason Hayes
    Wolf P.A.C. Theatre
    Sotomayor Arts & Sciences Magnet
    2018 LAUSD Teacher of the Year
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  • 2.  RE: How do I get permission for a dog in LAUSD...

    Posted 08-22-2023 10:53

    That's a question for the superintendent's office and possibly board of ed.

    be careful of going over the principal 's head as that could cause ill will on their part toward you. 



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    Douglas Fox, Retired Theatre Educator, NC 


    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: How do I get permission for a dog in LAUSD...

    Posted 08-22-2023 17:22

    I agree with Douglas on this.  If your principal blames his decision on rules out of his control, ask his/her permission to contact the superintendent's office or BoE, but don't go there without your principal's blessing.  

    If you sense that your principal might be afraid of liability if the dog bites someone in the cast, you might ask if you can arrange to have the student bring the dog to meet him/her outside of school hours.  



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    CJ Breland
    Retired Theatre Arts Educator
    NC
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: How do I get permission for a dog in LAUSD...

    Posted 08-23-2023 10:59

    I agree with CJ's extra advice, in the event that you end up being able to use a real dog.  I used my best friend's dog in Six Characters in Search of an Author, where the character known as the Leading Lady has a little dog that she pampers.  My friend was a bit of an animal expert, and had even worked at our local zoo for a time.  He recommended that before I ever take the dog into a rehearsal, we have a first meet-up with the student actress in a public park, shortly before we were going to begin using the dog in rehearsal.  (I told her that her parents were welcome, too, but she showed up alone.)  She was given some treats before she ever approached the dog, and she was taught the proper way to approach a dog as a stranger - stance, manner, voice, etc.  Between that and the treats, the dog accepted her into his circle.  The first time I took him to a rehearsal, he saw her among the other students, and he ran right to her.  We had no issues.

    Rules are rules, and if your district really says "no," then use a student in a dog suit.  If you suspect that the rule doesn't exist, and that your principal is merely trying to have things his own way, I don't advise going over his head - this isn't the hill that you want to die on.  But I hope you get to use a real dog.  I've seen Annie done with real dogs and with costumed actors as dogs, and real dogs are definitely better here.  Good luck!



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    Jeff Grove
    Theatre Teacher, Aesthetics Department Chair
    Stanton College Prep
    FL
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: How do I get permission for a dog in LAUSD...

    Posted 08-23-2023 07:45

    I'm not sure about the Annie rights specifications, but we did Annie Jr. with a younger student as the dog. Everyone loved it, and it might avoid some extra logistical challenges depending on how important the live animal aspect is for your production.



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    Laura Butchy
    BASIS Independent McLean
    VA
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: How do I get permission for a dog in LAUSD...

    Posted 08-23-2023 15:36

    I agree with Laura that, in the event you can't get a real dog, have an elementary student do the part.  It will definitely be an audience favorite!



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    Danielle Akers
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: How do I get permission for a dog in LAUSD...

    Posted 08-23-2023 15:41

    Thank you everyone for your input. With respect, we have some different considerations in CA and even, dare I say, Admin who support Arts...yes really. My principal is an ally and I'm just looking for any insight with regard to LAUSD specifically. If anyone knows about something I have yet to find, please let me know. I'm aware of the politics involved in navigating Principals, Boards, Supers, and the rest of the haters...haha. And I certainly would never put any student at risk. Great idea about the park meet up BTW, thx for that. 

    I'll keep digging. I would love to use a real dog given the metaphor implied, treating children like dogs etc, but if I can't, I can't, and I will try to make the point regardless. Kids in dog costumes makes it silly and takes away from the social/political voice Annie has at her core. We are setting it in a Residential Boarding School as opposed to an orphanage to update the references. Not changing the script, just the conceptual design and production elements, you know. So to the point, a real dog would be preferred but I will take the safest option for kids and career, of course. We're a high school with a strong social justice bent to our work so the details matter when working with the kids.

    Thank you all so much for your input and ideas. Really appreciate this community.



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    Jason Hayes
    Wolf P.A.C. Theatre
    Sotomayor Arts & Sciences Magnet
    2018 LAUSD Teacher of the Year
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    Original Message


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