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  • 1.  Praise & Positivity

    Posted 08-03-2025 11:34

    Hello everyone! I'm looking for inspiration, tips, hacks for incorporating more praise and positivity into my program, both classes and productions. Thank you in advance!



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    Cora Turlish
    NJ
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  • 2.  RE: Praise & Positivity

    Posted 08-04-2025 08:03

    Accept only praise or suggestions - not criticism - when critiquing each others work. "I couldn't understand you " becomes "speak louder" or "work on your articulation", both more actionable than a complaint. 



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    Douglas "Chip" Rome
    Theatre Consultant
    Educational Stages
    Burke VA
    http://EducationalStages.com
    https://bit.ly/RWTEOview
    https://bit.ly/eTeachTech
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  • 3.  RE: Praise & Positivity

    Posted 08-04-2025 08:36
    1. We do weekly anonymous shoutouts on sticky notes. I read them aloud and leave them posted on the wall all week.
    2. We use the Liz Lerman feedback method for critical response. So instead of suggestions, we use neutral questions, such as What was your thought process when making vocal choices about your character? In the next round of response, responders can say "I have an idea about X, would you like to hear it?" That's when the responder can give an actual suggestion, but only if the artist agrees that they want to hear it. Here's the whole process broken down by step: Critical Response Process | A Method for Giving and Getting Feedback
    3. I also have some great activities about self-affirmation that I'm happy to share. I do them early in the year as part of creative risk-taking and mindfulness.


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    Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
    Theatre, Film, and Communications Instructor
    Shenandoah Valley Governor's School
    Fishersville, VA
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  • 4.  RE: Praise & Positivity

    Posted 08-04-2025 10:07
    I just recently instructed one of my older students who is helping with a camp that they should feel free to say nice things if they genuinely mean them but to be careful to phrase praise as, "that was really good" as opposed to, "well that could have been worse."  I try to model that kind of straightforward feedback as well. I am also very clear about reminding the kids that actors and tech should not give each other notes on what they could do better, only on things they saw that were effective or successful. 
    We sometimes do paper chains of positive thoughts that the kids write about how their own experience is going, they can write about something they are proud of or something they are having fun learning.  Then we link them all together and drape them somewhere the kids see it.

    Be well,

    Penelope Haskew
    Director of Education
    San Juan Community Theatre
    100 N. 2nd St
    Friday Harbor, WA 98250
    360.378.3211 ext. 1022
    (she/her)





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