Open Forum

ATTN: Troupe Directors

I have a KEY Senior Thespian that has resigned her position of Head Costumer for our spring musical.  We open in 3.5 weeks.  She didn't speak with any adult faculty on the team, just sent an email to the company manager announcing her departure from the production.  I spoke with her and asked if I could help with anything, but she didn't seem interested in being persuaded to stay.  She made of her mind. She did not give a reason of merit to leave, just, "I changed my mind."

I am inclined to revoke her Thespian status and NOT give her a Thespian cord to wear at graduation.  

What are your thoughts?

While I completely understand your frustration, please consider that you might not have all of the information. Our students have a whole world outside of our program that they are managing. This could certainly be a case of teenage flakiness, but it could also be a myriad of issues that have forced them to make this choice and they may not be ready to talk about it. I can personally remember a high school director berating me for not bringing my shoes to dress rehearsal. What the director did not know was I was temporarily staying at a friend's house after a major family conflict and was unable to get my belongings. (I would have rather died than tell a teacher about my situation!) A brief conversation about honoring your commitments is certainly warranted (maybe after the show when you have more time and emotional bandwidth), but I wouldn't take away honors that she has already earned.

You've offered to discuss it.  She has declined.  The last thing I would do is explain that reliability is an essential trait in a Thespian and that you cannot write any additional letters of recommendation if she leaves the company in the lurch.  If she is not planning to major in theatre, that probably won't matter. 

Seniors bail for many reasons, some of which have nothing to do with the show or Thespian troupe. 

If she has fulfilled all the requirements for wearing cords, etc., I suggest you let her do it.  But you might consider discussing with your troupe whether you want to include in your troupe bylaws a requirement that Thespians participate in some manner on every show between induction and graduation to wear cords.  We did that, and Thespians who were not cast or crew for a show did myriad other tasks, such as coming to a Saturday set and costume construction day, hanging posters, or being ushers.  Those who didn't participate didn't get to wear cords for graduation.