About 3 years ago, I moved to a new/different school. The issue I'm having is that I feel like I'm struggling to build a core group of reliable "ride or die" theatre kids.
There are a number of students who like theatre and who audition for the productions, but they can be very inconsistent. They'll do a show and seem really into it and then randomly not audition the next time. Or they'll take an upper level class (and seem really into it) and then drop theatre the next year with little or no explanation...but then show up again 2 years later. Similarly, there's a 2nd group of kids who like theatre, but it's their "2nd choice"....they'll do it if they don't have something else going on.
My numbers for my beginner classes are solid...and a good percentage continue to the "intermediate" level, but I have notable drop-off going into the upper level class. Some of that is normal, but I feel like it's more pronounced here than at my previous school.
I really try to build a close knit core ensemble of kids, but it seems like just about the time I find those kids, they fade away or "take a break" and often don't express any particular dissatisfaction to me.
Context: Before moving to this school, I taught in another state and I had a lot of very reliable theatre kids...kids who took theatre nearly every semester and who auditioned for every production. So, I've been baffled by the inconsistency here.
I do try to create opportunities for student input and for student-led projects, so I feel that opportunity is there, but I feel like the response to those things is lower than I would expect.
My program hasn't been "shrinking" in terms of numbers, but I feel like I can't get any momentum going. I'd love to hear some thoughts about ways to build stronger, tighter community.
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Blake Wilson
Theatre Arts Director
Orange High School
NC
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