Open Forum

 View Only

  • 1.  Memorial Ceremony

    Posted 05-12-2014 14:01
    This past October, one of our Thespians lost his battle with brain cancer. We are nearing the time for our annual induction ceremony (May 22), and would like to do something for him and his family. 

    Have any of you had a special remembrance ceremony for a deceased Thespian?

    -------------------------------------------
    Jared Grigsby
    English and Journalism Teacher / Drama Director
    MSD of Boone Township
    Hebron, Indiana
    -------------------------------------------


  • 2.  RE:Memorial Ceremony

    Posted 05-12-2014 16:54
    Not exactly the same but... we lost one of the members of our competitve improv team several years ago. At the annual state tourney we now have what we call the "Little Tropes" award in her honor. It goes to 1 or 2 members of each team in the league that represents the best of everything positive in the team. She was also remembered last year in 2013 graduation ceremony by the student body president.

    -------------------------------------------
    Shira Schwartz
    Chandler Unified School District
    Chandler AZ
    -------------------------------------------






    Original Message


  • 3.  RE:Memorial Ceremony

    Posted 05-13-2014 08:30
    When we lost a Thespian several years ago we had a moment of silence at inductions and lit the Thespian candle in her honor.  We also presented her father with her Thespian cord (she would have been a senior) and she has a special memorial page in the scrapbook.  She was also active in the vocal music department and they established a scholarship in her memory.
    Also, on a personal note, I am so sorry for your loss--my husband is a brain cancer survivor and one thing that has meant a lot to him has been participating in the Race for Hope.  There may be a brain cancer related run/walk in your area that your students would be interested in forming a team for as a memorial gesture.

    -------------------------------------------
    Robin Clayton
    Wilmington NC
    -------------------------------------------






    Original Message


  • 4.  RE:Memorial Ceremony

    Posted 05-13-2014 14:54
    A while back we lost a theatre student (we did not have Thespians at the time). The theatre kids had a Daisy sale (the girl loved daisies) throughout the school. We took that money and used it as a scholarship in her name. We gave it to a senior who matched personality and zeal for life.  We involved her parents in the process and they actually determined the winner. They presented it to one of our theatre seniors at our awards evening.

    Unfortunately a lot of faculty, young faculty, have passed in our building. They have created scholarships for them, but they have also planted trees with plaques, and planted flowers in our courtyard with plaques as a memorial. You could always do something like that. When a football player passed in our building, they had a day where everyone wore his number.

    Is there a prop or anything that this student was known for? Personality trait? Maybe you can capitalize on that? Make an award out of it? Something like that...

    -------------------------------------------
    Carolyn Little
    High School English Teacher
    Toms River Board of Education
    Beachwood NJ
    -------------------------------------------






    Original Message


  • 5.  RE:Memorial Ceremony

    Posted 05-14-2014 17:32
    We're a small rural troupe that's  been a troupe for only 8 years, so this has been [thankfully] manged to this point.  As part of our Induction Ceremony, all newly Inducted sign our 'Ghost' Light [basically a black, house, walkway light].  We have lost two of our troupe, one to suicide, and one to an untimely death from complications with Diabetes.  For each player [present student or alum], a simple memorial plaque has been crafted and attached to the 'Ghost' Light.
    Our 'Ghost' Light is proudly brought out for all Thespian Events, and anytime our stage goes up, the 'Ghost' Light turns on whenever the show isn't playing.  Our missing members continue to "play" onstage, keeping us safe, and chasing the bad ghosts away.
    My students are quick to ask and want to get out our 'Ghost' Light for our productions often taking initiative to bring it out themselves.  A tradition started, and brought forward.

    -------------------------------------------
    David Nicol
    WSSU
    Bennington VT
    -------------------------------------------

     




    Original Message


  • 6.  RE:Memorial Ceremony

    Posted 05-16-2014 14:52
    Thank you all for your ideas.

    -------------------------------------------
    Jared Grigsby
    English and Journalism Teacher / Drama Director
    MSD of Boone Township
    Hebron, Indiana
    -------------------------------------------






    Original Message