Happy 2023!
Many of you have started, or will soon be starting, your second semester. This is usually a time for many exciting theatre milestones for our senior Thespians-their last shows, college acceptances, final festivals, awards banquets, and many more.
Unfortunately, it may also bring that dreaded disease-Senioritis. This disease can take many forms and some programs who have activities right up until the end of the year may not experience an eruption of this annual contagion, but for those who do I offer some advice
- This is a great time to discuss the idea of Theatre Legacy with your seniors. What is the mark they wish to leave in your department? How can they spend these last months creating that legacy?
- It can take the form of individual mentoring of future leaders for the program, sharing words of wisdom with the underclass students, or passing on tips, tricks, and idiosyncrasies of the technical equipment and theatre building.
- Seniors may want to do a small fundraiser to purchase something "from the class of 2023," or start a fund for a future purchase.
- This is a great time to take up and coming leaders out on campus or in the community to introduce them to contacts (newspaper editors, school administrators, Chamber of Commerce staff, etc) so they can hit the ground running once your new season is announced.
- This semester is also a prime time for the theatre educator to plan a senior only meet up where they can allow the graduating students to share their thoughts on the last few years. The students can reflect on what activities they enjoyed, meaningful events, and special moments, as well as give them some space to make suggestions for the future. This is the ideal time to remind them the underclass will be watching closely as the year wraps up and to be thoughtful about how they want to be remembered.
- Most importantly, this is a time to let the seniors know they are forever part of your Thespian troupe, regardless of changing teachers or buildings, and to know how much their involvement continues to build your program. Find a way to honor them so they are always excited to return and see the fruits of their labor and how their dedication continues to bring the joy of theatre to new generations.
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Krista Carson Elhai
Vice President, Educational Theatre Association
Educational Theatre Foundation National Board of Trustees
Past President, CA Educational Theatre Association
Membership Chair, California State Thespians
Claremont CA
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