The beginning of any academic year is like the start of a production. For me, both are full of hope, idealism, and the potential of success. Then realism sets in: some students were assigned a Theatre class and don’t want to be there, and let everyone know it; students are absent on key days/rehearsals; I find that I am doing too much and quickly getting burnt out; my personal and family life become shortchanged; one disgruntled parent goes to the administration about a scene or show that I have chosen for my students, a student whom I wanted to highlight in a chosen play drops out, and the list goes on. What challenge would you add to this list?
Now what can we do about the journey of hope, idealism, and the potential of success and realism?
In my experience of many years of teaching five levels of theatre and directing five after-school production, plus guiding a Thespian troupe, a Drama club, a ComedySportz (team Improv) team ,attending state and local festivals, I have developed some truisms to remind me how I react. Sometimes I have to realize that not every student LOVES Theatre, so after the pursuing the proper challenges, it is okay for that student to be transferred out of Theatre. I need to empower my involved students to become leaders for Drama, Thespian, Improv teams. If your chapter has a Leadership conference, attend. If not, there are so many resources to develop student leadership. Yes, it might mean a Saturday attendance for workshops, but it pays off. Setting strict attendance at rehearsals and communicating the policy with parents prior to casting helps. I also along with the other VandPA instructors meet with the PE Department and Activities Director to know practice and game schedules. I share the chosen scripts with my admin well in advance to securing the rights. I double cast and have cast sharing of leads and ensemble to help cover absences.
And I set rehearsal schedules so that parents/students/staff know that we all leave, and theater is locked at the specified time. I have the parents establish a Theatre Boosters for support and fundraising.
I would love to hear some of your truisms for your experiencing the best of what we each do.
I have invited some Emeritus Sage Members to post Wednesday’s Wisdom. Hope that you will discover some things for your educational Theatre journey.
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Gai Laing Jones
EdTA Past President, ETF Board Member, CETA VP Membership, DTASC Advocacy Director, DTA Contributor, AATE Member, AACT Youth Committee Member, CSUEB Field Supervisor for Pre-Service Theatre Educators, Ojai Art Center Ex Board/Director of Youth Productions, Camp Bravo Instructor, SAG-AFTRA Member/Radio Plays Committee, Theatre Text Book Author, Theatre Inspirational Speaker
gai.jones@sbcglobal.netgaijones2013@gmail.comwww.gaijones.com------------------------------