Open Forum

Hi everyone!

I've recently been asked by my school to come up with a more specific plan or assessment process for selecting productions--something that aligns with our mission and values. Up until now, I've chosen shows largely by instinct, considering what feels right for the students, the community, and the moment. It's a process that has worked well, but I understand the need to articulate it more intentionally.

So, I'm reaching out to ask if any of you use a rubric, checklist, or structured framework when deciding on productions? If you have a system you use, or even just guiding questions you regularly consider, I'd really appreciate it if you'd be willing to share.

Thanks in advance!

(Teacher who should be refueling on summer vacay...)

Hi everyone!

I've recently been asked by my school to come up with a more specific plan or assessment process for selecting productions--something that aligns with our mission and values. Up until now, I've chosen shows largely by instinct, considering what feels right for the students, the community, and the moment. It's a process that has worked well, but I understand the need to articulate it more intentionally.

So, I'm reaching out to ask if any of you use a rubric, checklist, or structured framework when deciding on productions? If you have a system you use, or even just guiding questions you regularly consider, I'd really appreciate it if you'd be willing to share.

Thanks in advance!

(Teacher who should be refueling on summer vacay...)

Hi everyone!

I've recently been asked by my school to come up with a more specific plan or assessment process for selecting productions--something that aligns with our mission and values. Up until now, I've chosen shows largely by instinct, considering what feels right for the students, the community, and the moment. It's a process that has worked well, but I understand the need to articulate it more intentionally.

So, I'm reaching out to ask if any of you use a rubric, checklist, or structured framework when deciding on productions? If you have a system you use, or even just guiding questions you regularly consider, I'd really appreciate it if you'd be willing to share.

Thanks in advance!

(Teacher who should be refueling on summer vacay...)

I love this question. I teach Theater Methods to preservice teachers getting a theater credential and I think I am going to include this in a class discussion. The only questions I might add to Elizabeth's are: Where does the play fit into the school year, what else is happening on campus? and Is there a play I can connect with other classes on campus?

I think theater teachers read more than any other teachers on campus!

Hi everyone!

I've recently been asked by my school to come up with a more specific plan or assessment process for selecting productions--something that aligns with our mission and values. Up until now, I've chosen shows largely by instinct, considering what feels right for the students, the community, and the moment. It's a process that has worked well, but I understand the need to articulate it more intentionally.

So, I'm reaching out to ask if any of you use a rubric, checklist, or structured framework when deciding on productions? If you have a system you use, or even just guiding questions you regularly consider, I'd really appreciate it if you'd be willing to share.

Thanks in advance!

(Teacher who should be refueling on summer vacay...)

Two years ago I attended a workshop which about directing. Part of the  workshop was a list of four questions to ask about the play you are considering. I have been using it with my students ever since. It is called SWOT... It stands for ..Strengths- which would include the question on casting, etc. , also whether it is well written, has an important message or theme, name recognition. Etc.  W is weaknesses.  O is for oppurtunities....this could include possible connections to businesses, other classes, challenges for actors, etc. And T is for threats or problems. ...budget issues, time, etc

This works well and the students have solid reasons for choosing shows or can see my reasons for choosing a play.  

Cathy

I love this question. I teach Theater Methods to preservice teachers getting a theater credential and I think I am going to include this in a class discussion. The only questions I might add to Elizabeth's are: Where does the play fit into the school year, what else is happening on campus? and Is there a play I can connect with other classes on campus?

I think theater teachers read more than any other teachers on campus!

Hi everyone!

I've recently been asked by my school to come up with a more specific plan or assessment process for selecting productions--something that aligns with our mission and values. Up until now, I've chosen shows largely by instinct, considering what feels right for the students, the community, and the moment. It's a process that has worked well, but I understand the need to articulate it more intentionally.

So, I'm reaching out to ask if any of you use a rubric, checklist, or structured framework when deciding on productions? If you have a system you use, or even just guiding questions you regularly consider, I'd really appreciate it if you'd be willing to share.

Thanks in advance!

(Teacher who should be refueling on summer vacay...)

Two years ago I attended a workshop which about directing. Part of the  workshop was a list of four questions to ask about the play you are considering. I have been using it with my students ever since. It is called SWOT... It stands for ..Strengths- which would include the question on casting, etc. , also whether it is well written, has an important message or theme, name recognition. Etc.  W is weaknesses.  O is for oppurtunities....this could include possible connections to businesses, other classes, challenges for actors, etc. And T is for threats or problems. ...budget issues, time, etc

This works well and the students have solid reasons for choosing shows or can see my reasons for choosing a play.  

Cathy

I love this question. I teach Theater Methods to preservice teachers getting a theater credential and I think I am going to include this in a class discussion. The only questions I might add to Elizabeth's are: Where does the play fit into the school year, what else is happening on campus? and Is there a play I can connect with other classes on campus?

I think theater teachers read more than any other teachers on campus!

Hi everyone!

I've recently been asked by my school to come up with a more specific plan or assessment process for selecting productions--something that aligns with our mission and values. Up until now, I've chosen shows largely by instinct, considering what feels right for the students, the community, and the moment. It's a process that has worked well, but I understand the need to articulate it more intentionally.

So, I'm reaching out to ask if any of you use a rubric, checklist, or structured framework when deciding on productions? If you have a system you use, or even just guiding questions you regularly consider, I'd really appreciate it if you'd be willing to share.

Thanks in advance!

(Teacher who should be refueling on summer vacay...)

I love this discussion!  Sadly, not much new is coming out of what you are all suggesting, but I guess that means what I'm doing has validity!

I don't know that there is necessarily a numerical way to tally these criteria.  And I think that it needs to be that way.  Theatre isn't objective and can't be easily quantified.

Has anyone out there been required to do a numerical or otherwise objective rubric for play selection?  I'd be curious to see how that process went.

Two years ago I attended a workshop which about directing. Part of the  workshop was a list of four questions to ask about the play you are considering. I have been using it with my students ever since. It is called SWOT... It stands for ..Strengths- which would include the question on casting, etc. , also whether it is well written, has an important message or theme, name recognition. Etc.  W is weaknesses.  O is for oppurtunities....this could include possible connections to businesses, other classes, challenges for actors, etc. And T is for threats or problems. ...budget issues, time, etc

This works well and the students have solid reasons for choosing shows or can see my reasons for choosing a play.  

Cathy

I love this question. I teach Theater Methods to preservice teachers getting a theater credential and I think I am going to include this in a class discussion. The only questions I might add to Elizabeth's are: Where does the play fit into the school year, what else is happening on campus? and Is there a play I can connect with other classes on campus?

I think theater teachers read more than any other teachers on campus!

Hi everyone!

I've recently been asked by my school to come up with a more specific plan or assessment process for selecting productions--something that aligns with our mission and values. Up until now, I've chosen shows largely by instinct, considering what feels right for the students, the community, and the moment. It's a process that has worked well, but I understand the need to articulate it more intentionally.

So, I'm reaching out to ask if any of you use a rubric, checklist, or structured framework when deciding on productions? If you have a system you use, or even just guiding questions you regularly consider, I'd really appreciate it if you'd be willing to share.

Thanks in advance!

(Teacher who should be refueling on summer vacay...)

I love this discussion!  Sadly, not much new is coming out of what you are all suggesting, but I guess that means what I'm doing has validity!

I don't know that there is necessarily a numerical way to tally these criteria.  And I think that it needs to be that way.  Theatre isn't objective and can't be easily quantified.

Has anyone out there been required to do a numerical or otherwise objective rubric for play selection?  I'd be curious to see how that process went.

Two years ago I attended a workshop which about directing. Part of the  workshop was a list of four questions to ask about the play you are considering. I have been using it with my students ever since. It is called SWOT... It stands for ..Strengths- which would include the question on casting, etc. , also whether it is well written, has an important message or theme, name recognition. Etc.  W is weaknesses.  O is for oppurtunities....this could include possible connections to businesses, other classes, challenges for actors, etc. And T is for threats or problems. ...budget issues, time, etc

This works well and the students have solid reasons for choosing shows or can see my reasons for choosing a play.  

Cathy

I love this question. I teach Theater Methods to preservice teachers getting a theater credential and I think I am going to include this in a class discussion. The only questions I might add to Elizabeth's are: Where does the play fit into the school year, what else is happening on campus? and Is there a play I can connect with other classes on campus?

I think theater teachers read more than any other teachers on campus!

Hi everyone!

I've recently been asked by my school to come up with a more specific plan or assessment process for selecting productions--something that aligns with our mission and values. Up until now, I've chosen shows largely by instinct, considering what feels right for the students, the community, and the moment. It's a process that has worked well, but I understand the need to articulate it more intentionally.

So, I'm reaching out to ask if any of you use a rubric, checklist, or structured framework when deciding on productions? If you have a system you use, or even just guiding questions you regularly consider, I'd really appreciate it if you'd be willing to share.

Thanks in advance!

(Teacher who should be refueling on summer vacay...)

I love this discussion!  Sadly, not much new is coming out of what you are all suggesting, but I guess that means what I'm doing has validity!

I don't know that there is necessarily a numerical way to tally these criteria.  And I think that it needs to be that way.  Theatre isn't objective and can't be easily quantified.

Has anyone out there been required to do a numerical or otherwise objective rubric for play selection?  I'd be curious to see how that process went.

Two years ago I attended a workshop which about directing. Part of the  workshop was a list of four questions to ask about the play you are considering. I have been using it with my students ever since. It is called SWOT... It stands for ..Strengths- which would include the question on casting, etc. , also whether it is well written, has an important message or theme, name recognition. Etc.  W is weaknesses.  O is for oppurtunities....this could include possible connections to businesses, other classes, challenges for actors, etc. And T is for threats or problems. ...budget issues, time, etc

This works well and the students have solid reasons for choosing shows or can see my reasons for choosing a play.  

Cathy

I love this question. I teach Theater Methods to preservice teachers getting a theater credential and I think I am going to include this in a class discussion. The only questions I might add to Elizabeth's are: Where does the play fit into the school year, what else is happening on campus? and Is there a play I can connect with other classes on campus?

I think theater teachers read more than any other teachers on campus!

Hi everyone!

I've recently been asked by my school to come up with a more specific plan or assessment process for selecting productions--something that aligns with our mission and values. Up until now, I've chosen shows largely by instinct, considering what feels right for the students, the community, and the moment. It's a process that has worked well, but I understand the need to articulate it more intentionally.

So, I'm reaching out to ask if any of you use a rubric, checklist, or structured framework when deciding on productions? If you have a system you use, or even just guiding questions you regularly consider, I'd really appreciate it if you'd be willing to share.

Thanks in advance!

(Teacher who should be refueling on summer vacay...)

I love this question. I teach Theater Methods to preservice teachers getting a theater credential and I think I am going to include this in a class discussion. The only questions I might add to Elizabeth's are: Where does the play fit into the school year, what else is happening on campus? and Is there a play I can connect with other classes on campus?

I think theater teachers read more than any other teachers on campus!

Hi everyone!

I've recently been asked by my school to come up with a more specific plan or assessment process for selecting productions--something that aligns with our mission and values. Up until now, I've chosen shows largely by instinct, considering what feels right for the students, the community, and the moment. It's a process that has worked well, but I understand the need to articulate it more intentionally.

So, I'm reaching out to ask if any of you use a rubric, checklist, or structured framework when deciding on productions? If you have a system you use, or even just guiding questions you regularly consider, I'd really appreciate it if you'd be willing to share.

Thanks in advance!

(Teacher who should be refueling on summer vacay...)