Open Forum

Hello All, 

I am middle school drama teacher (2nd year teaching drama). I would really love to get a Junior Thespian Troupe up and running but I am not sure where to start. I would love to know what you did to start your troupes, how often you meet, and the kinds of activities you do at each meeting. Any other tips/tricks are also welcome.

Thank you!

Allison

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Allison Rudig
Warren T Eich Middle School
CA
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Hello!

So glad you are thinking about getting a Junior Thespians Troupe started. I would suggest that if you currently don't have a points list started, I would do that. If you don't have a budget for one, start one and/or look into the EdTA grants for help with initial fees to get it started.

When I started mine in Kuwait (I did both the high school and middle school troupes), I started by getting my kids polos that they could wear around school (a polo was their uniform) every day. We then worked on giving small improv performances for the school to create awareness for the theatre program. My troupe met once a month as a troupe and once a month outside of that for leadership. I did it this way because I wanted the kids to be the ones to take ownership. If they all felt that they needed to meet more often, they set it up. They even all went out to dinner as a troupe! It was quite amazing.

Then unfortunately COVID hit and we lost a lot of ground, plus my position was eliminated for the duration of COVID, but from what I understand the person who took it over has continued both troupes and it is doing awesome!

It really comes down to what are your kids going to enjoy doing for activities and how to get your community involved.

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Joshua Watters
He/Him/His
KIS Almaty
Almaty, Kazakhstan
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Hi Allison,
We started our Junior Thespian Troupe last year. It has gone pretty smoothly so far! 

First, I announced an interest meeting explaining the troupe, meetings, requirements, etc.

Next, our monthly meetings included discussing upcoming productions, discussing how to earn points, played theatre games, performed scenes they wrote/rehearsed, and planned service projects.

At the end of the year we held an induction in May (I will mention, try to know who is eligible to be inducted in February so you can order materials in time for induction)

The leaders of our troupe are part of a council, they don't hold specific roles, but what's important is to give them ownership. If they love ITS and have a passion for theatre, the students following will catch on!

Hope that overview helps!

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Heidi Brack
Theatre Teacher/Director of Fine Arts
Gaston Christian School
NC
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Hey Allison,

We have a high school troupe. The executives meet monthly and they invite inducted members to the meeting. They are during our WIN period or after school. They plan and annual Halloween Karaoke night, something in the spring and also organize trips to see other school performances in the area.

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Crit Fisher
Lighting/Sound Designer
New Albany High School
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