MIND BLOWN! HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE IS BULL****!
Or at least that's the gist of what I interpreted from a recent dialogue I had. It made me furious and subsequently raised a lot of questions:
-Where is the education in a school's theatre program if risks can't be taken as far as what production is chosen (ie. Something mainstream vs. something more obscure)?
-Why don't parents and school boards understand that they should trust that those who they've put in charge of their programs know what would be beneficial to their students?
-Why does the general public expect only popular shows to be done in schools and why are people afraid and/or skeptical of anything that is off the beaten path?
-If theatre is a business, why don't people do more alongside the students to help a show reach its goal?
The list goes on.
My mission as a high school theatre director is (and possibly was), to make things fun and educational for the students as well as expand their knowledge of theatre in as many ways as I can which, for me, starts with the choice of show. When I go about choosing a piece I'd like to work on, I consider all of its potential aspects from design, to music, to choreography, to type of show, and so on. Once I compile my list of potentials, I then begin to whittle my choices, nitpicking at each aspect and trying to decide its feasibility. Most recently, it took me a span of about two months to compile and whittle my list of about 60 shows to 3. I can guarantee that other directors my age do not take their considerations to such lengths.
Keep in mind, I've only known a majority of my students for about a year and I'm already this intense about catering to their strengths and weaknesses. Now, I understand that not all students may want to get into theatre outside of school, and maybe some consider it just something they like to do after school. Personally, I'm ok with that but I still want them to get the most out of their experience and walk away having learned something, just as I wanted when I was in high school and college. Don't get me wrong, there is definitely educational value in plenty of mainstream musicals and plays, but there are only so many that are appropriate for the high school level and therefore sometimes you just need to resort to something different. Sometimes the public needs to be shown that there are many great works out there beyond the few popular ones we all know and love.
continued on A5
MIND BLOWN, continued from A2
This whole process has started changing who I am as a person. It has sparked many new aspirations:
"Demand respect from those around you. Don't be wishy-washy. Be more assertive. Find a balance. Make people see why they should trust you. Know what you want. If you believe in something strongly enough, don't take no for an answer."
I suppose this stemmed from a history of wanting things but not being assertive enough to make them happen and as a result having people impose their opinions on me, walk all over me, and make me question my abilities. Guess what? Times have changed. I am willing to stand up for myself and for what I believe and I am more than willing to help inspire changes in things that aren't the way they should be. I definitely don't anticipate this being an easy task, but believe me, this is only the beginning.
I may not get what I want this year, but eventually I will. If I don't, they'll lose me, plain and simple. Am I easily replaceable? Sure... but they'll never BE me.
More on this story as it develops.
- C.K.
No comments:
Post a Comment