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  • 1.  New Teacher Season Selection

    Posted 06-17-2024 09:06

    Hello everyone! I am about to begin my first year as a high school theatre teacher and I am feeling pretty stuck when it comes to choosing what shows I want to do this school year. I have considered having a general audition at the start of the school year to just gage an idea of the strengths and numbers of my program and then choose shows from there, but I also don't want to go into the school year with nothing prepared. I would love any advice or thoughts. Thanks!



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    Adam Hobbs
    VA
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  • 2.  RE: New Teacher Season Selection

    Posted 06-17-2024 14:10
    The high schools in my area always do 2 big shows in a school year.  The schedule always consists of 1 full-length play in the Fall and then 1 full-length musical in the Spring.





  • 3.  RE: New Teacher Season Selection

    Posted 06-18-2024 09:04

    Hello, 

    My advice, pick a show and go for it! Your choice will peak interest. Jump in feet first and don't look back! You've got this. 
    Best,

    Garry



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    Garry Tiller
    Theatre Arts Teaching Artist
    Sidwell Friends
    Washington, DC
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  • 4.  RE: New Teacher Season Selection

    Posted 06-18-2024 12:07
    I believe you are on the right track in wanting to gage your numbers and talent before committing to a show. I wouldn't do a general audition pe se, as that could potentially be viewed as precasting and you never want to do that. I would suggest instead holding summer theatre workshops. I have done this for several years and it is so great for a number of reasons. I started this as a way to get my new freshman/transfer students engaged in the program and for them to get to know my theatre veterans and my veterans have the opportunity to dust off the cobwebs and become mentors to our new folks. Since we have auditions the first week of school I needed a way to get my new students feeling confident and willing to audition so early in the school year. 

    However, this has also blossomed into a great way to gage my incoming talent too. I hold three days of workshops lasting three hours each day. I have a three hour session for techies and a separate three hour session for actors. Each day is filled with different acting games, improv work, scene studies, audition prep, stage combat, etc. For my techies we will focus on a different area of design (lights, sound, set, etc.) and I'll tailor activities to that specific focus. These workshops are a hit every summer.

    You can learn so much from your students in this type of environment. By giving them a variety of activities you can see where their strengths lie, who your leaders are and how committed each student is. Workshops are also very low pressure and you will get to see the students in a more relaxed, fun state rather than the tense pressure of auditioning so you will get to know them better as individuals and not just performers. This is a time for your students to let loose and have fun and get to know you too. 

    If you  go the workshop route, it may be a good idea to come in with a narrowed down list of five or so shows you could potentially do this year. And make it a variety of genres as you don't know yet what you are working with student wise. It would probably be most beneficial to do these workshops a few weeks before school starts (I typically hold mine roughly three weeks prior to the first day). Then you would still have time to finalize a show choice from your short list after seeing your talent before school starts.

    Good luck!

    --
    Blessings,
     

    		Jillian Lietzau | Head of Theatre Department, Registrar
    jillian.lietzau@lhsparker.org

    Lutheran High School
    (303) 841-5551 ext 200
    11249 Newlin Gulch Blvd Parker CO 80134
     www.lhsparker.org






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