Here are a few ideas shared with me by teachers over the years. Some teachers will pick a show like High School Musical that needs basketball players, cheer leaders, etc. so they can work to get some students from those groups involved. A show like Shrek the Musical is an opportunity to audition "by voice" and that may bring in students who otherwise wouldn't consider being in a show.
Some teachers will pick a show that involves stage combat and then have an after-school session where their students demonstrate some stage combat techniques (strangling and grabbing someone by the hair and throwing them around are favorites, along with punches of course).
Stage combat seems to draw more guys. Another option is stage makeup: bruises, scars, cuts, stitches, etc. Lots of students may be at least curious enough to show up.
And of course, "if you feed them, they will come." If you have a meeting to introduce students to theatre, have something for them to eat. For the most part, pizza is "magic" food and draws students.
The minute we invite someone to become involved, they ask themselves, "What's in it for me?" Try to address that depending on your needs and goals and hopefully you'll make them an offer they can't refuse.
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David LaFleche
Director of Membership
Educational Theatre Association
Cincinnati OH
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-25-2018 12:06
From: Josh Ruben
Subject: Recruiting for involvement question
Hi Ms. Grundy,
So glad you're looking to expand your program. Here's how I and some other colleagues did it at our respective schools:
Step One: As class projects, have the kids perform scenes and songs from familiar shows and movies. This will both inspire them and make the work accessible. Then arrange for performances for other classes during the school day and perhaps for an evening or two for parents.
Step Two: Establish an "Advanced" class which will feature your most experienced and dedicated actors; those kids that may not necessarily be involved in sports or other activities. These kids can focus on more intense plays and performances that can be refined for public performance.
Step Three: Plan on a large-scale production afterschool that you can stretch out over several months of rehearsals. This will allow you to work with the sports program and "share" kids between play rehearsals and sports practices. A show with different groups of characters each with their own numbers and scenes would work best. Then, on weekends or whenever possible, you can stage the large group numbers where all the groups come together. This may require you to stretch rehearsals from early Fall through the Spring. This way, it's an ongoing process that will allow you to use a large number of kids.
Hopefully, these strategies will allow you to appeal both to those kids that harbor a secret desire to perform as well as maintain a high standard that will inspire other kids to get involved.
Good Luck!!!
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Josh Ruben, M. Ed.
Fine Arts Head
Northwest Whitfield HS (dba, The Northwest Theatre Co.)
Tunnel Hill, GA
Original Message:
Sent: 02-24-2018 17:24
From: Ronda Grundy
Subject: Recruiting for involvement question
Hello!
I am director of a very small program in a small private k-12 school. I am looking for you favorite, effective recruiting activities. We are a very sports heavy school, and our students participate in several activities at one time. Right now our big"shows" are all done as extra curricular. Smaller shows are done by the drama class. I am open to ideas in a curricular or extra curricular setting. I know some of you started in a similar situation, so I look forward to your input.
Thank you.
Ronda