Play Production for Newbie Theater Teachers: Expectations Versus Reality
Congratulations! You’ve been hired to teach theater and direct several productions a year. You probably have the class curriculum nailed down or you are in the midst of it. However, you realize that although you have some experience on stage as a performer, you may need some help with other facets of a production. This post should help–Play Production for Newbie Theater Teachers: Expectations Versus Reality
When I majored in theater at Stephens College about a 100 years ago, although I was mostly interested in performing we were expected to work backstage for the first semester. I still think that’s an excellent idea. Some students who began as performance majors find they are more suited to stage management, costume or set design for instance. Plus, an actor needs to understand what goes into mounting a production.
Too many people get out there and think they are going to end up on the Broadway stage after their first audition. Many give up too quickly, but perhaps if they’d found another way to be involved with theater they would have stayed with it.
I love theater so much, I didn’t care if all I ever did was sweep the stage–it was that important to me. If you want to know how theater saved my life, go to How Theatre Saved My Life
Newbie Theater Teacher Expectations
It’s only natural to think that when you enter your first teaching position in your career, everything is provided for your classroom and stage. You may have come from a high school or certainly college which fully supported the theater arts department. That’s understandable and certainly the way it should be.
Some high schools even have technical directors who oversee the technical aspects of productions and teach the technical theater classes. That’s terrific!
You expect to have a lot of materials and resources all ready organized–set pieces, costumes, makeup, storage space, etc. If the school and their theater department has been in existence for several years, you should expect to take what was left from the previous teacher and grow from there.
Did you know I have the secret to boosting student engagement? My new book, “We’re Live! Radio Theater #101” explains my journey to implementing this unique tool in the classroom. Check it out here
The Reality
Here is the reality– In many school systems, the theater department and arts in general are looked upon as unimportant. (Because the general public does not understand what it takes to teach theater much less produce a play or musical.) Generally, the arts play second fiddle to sports. It’s not fair and not right but it happens all. the.time
If you find a school, which is not a performing arts school, who supports the arts you are lucky to teach there.
I can’t even count how many times people have said, “This school doesn’t have a budget for me! They don’t have materials or resources for mounting a production. What do I do?”
Tip: One question you need to ask when you interview for any teaching position should be about the budget for your classes and/or productions. If the administrator doesn’t know the budget, this is a red flag. It doesn’t mean you don’t have a budget, but this is easy to ascertain for them and they should be willing to divulge it.
Tip: When you interview, ask to see the stage and check out backstage as well. See if they have any costumes, props or set pieces. Do they have stage lights, light trees and amplification equipment? Does anyone else use the stage other than the theater department? Who and how much time do they use it?
Tip: Find out if there is a parent booster club for the arts. They are invaluable to your success at this particular school. They can help you in many ways–fundraising, building sets and sewing costumes, advertising and box office.
Play Production for Newbie Theater Teachers: Expectations Versus Reality
If the school doesn’t have a production budget, the first thing you will need to do is raise money to pay the expenses of the production. These expenses can range anywhere from $500 to (gulp) $10,000 a piece. Consider ticket prices and talk with other teachers in the district to see what they charge. Check out my fundraising suggestions here: Turn Your Theater Department Fundraising Into A High Performing Machine
If your set inventory doesn’t have much to offer, then you may need to build flats. There are many ways to do so. I’d check out this video for instruction on building a Hollywood flat. Or you can build a muslin flat.
I’d suggest watching the Cal State A & L videos on youtube.com They teach just about everything you’d need to know in a clear and concise method.
If you need help with costume design, check out my post: Critical Steps in Producing a Play or Musical: Costumes
One of my lesser strengths is light design. I know what I want, but I don’t know how to make it happen. I defer to my husband about light design because he’s designed for me for years. (See the photo above) In your case, I’d check Cal State for help there.
Did you know I have the secret to boosting student engagement? My new book, “We’re Live! Radio Theater #101” explains my journey to implementing this unique tool in the classroom. Check it out here
My Most Important Advice
Many directors of school productions think they have to produce their shows having the quality of a Broadway production. Not only is this unreasonable to expect of yourself, but not necessary. If you do a good job and balance the production so that everything is of equal quality (your show is imbalanced if the only set piece which was completed for your set is the staircase you spent all month building for your play), then you can rest knowing you did your best under the circumstances.
You should not be expected to do more with less. Just do the best you can understand the circumstances. You shouldn’t spend all weekend for several months working on one production. You shouldn’t be doing all the work yourself. Don’t forget that without YOU, none of the magic happens and the students need YOU the most.
What is most important is what your students learn from the experience, right?
Here are a few blog posts that can answer some questions or help you:
Critical Steps in Producing a Play or Musical: Stage Makeup
Critical Steps in Producing a Play or Musical: Costumes
My Advice for FREE
I am willing to advise you for free. You can find me many places– on instagram @dramamommaspeaks, Facebook @dramamommaspeaks or email me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com. I have been where you are now. Luckily, you have someone like me to advise you.
No one learns much of anything completely by themselves. A good teacher asks for advice and help. You will be a better teacher for it, I promise!
If you’ve had any experiences you’d like to share, please hit reply and share them with me. I’d love to hear from you.
You can contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com
