[jackissensational]

My jr. high drama club meant the world to me, and this year was my sister's first chance to be a part of it, but it was disbanned. I feel so bad for her and the students, and I really feel strongly about my good ol' grammar school continuing something that was very important to alot of people.

Now, I'm thinking of getting it up and running again this coming August, and I want to know if you think it's too big of an undertaking. I am an "over-achieving" sophomore in high school. I have lots of experience in theatre, so nothing like that will be much of a challenge. I know of at least one person my age who is willing to help. I want to start with a very small, low-budget play for sixth, seventh, and eight graders. I work with kids this age and younger on a weekly basis, but there's always someone older supervising. I want your oppinion before I approach the school's administration.

So I guess I'm asking, is this too much for me to handle?

[ChrisFitzpatrick]

I did stage crew for Annie Jr with around 40 little kids. I'm a junior in high school and I couldn't handle these kids.

The one major problem you would come across is authority. Kids wouldn't see you as some person of authority. They would see you as a peer.

If you lay down the law and make it in stone, you might be able to do it. I say stay away from it.

[Kiwi]

I help out in the summer with the younger kids' session of theatre school, and as much as I love the job, last year I wanted to kill most of the little kids I worked with. My company was 9-10 year olds, but I also had to help with authoritarian duties for all the kids, ages 7 to 13. The older kids are by far the worst, because they're close to your age and don't think they have to take authority from you, so it's pretty tough to keep control of them. It'll take a lot of work, for sure, but if you think you're up to it, go for it. I mean, I'm still planning on working with those same annoying little kids next year, and looking forward to it. It's stressful, but also very rewarding. So it's really something you have to weigh out and decide for yourself.

[jackissensational]

[NoOneMournsTheWicked]

I'm one of four directors of a production of Guys and Dolls Jr. with 3, 4, and 5 graders, and I work with children during the summer.

It can't just be you. Laws require a certain ratio of children to staff. Also, if you're close in age to the kids, they'll see you as a friend rather than in charge.

[Elphaba22]

I doubt it. I put on a student run musical at my school, and it was just me and my roomate (she was director, I was musical director and producer AND in it) and the thing that's difficult is the actual putting on the show, not so much dealing with the kids (although that's part of it) having everything organized, props, costumes, and its a lot of work. The thing I had trouble with the most was making sure everyone had their songs, lines, and blocking memorized, because i'm too nice, so if they missed song lyrics, i'd just be like, okay, just look them over. Make sure to make a definate (sp?) deadline for everyone knowing their lines, and be firm with it. And don't be afraid to tell them when one of their acting choices doesn't work, because you are the director, regardless of your closeness in age to them (2-4 years, depending). Also, if this is going to be completely run by high school students, think small: im not reffering to how many actors are in the show, but how many aspects you have to deal with besides the acting (set, costumes, sound effects, etc). The smaller the scale of the show, the more you can work with the actors and the cleaner the show will be. I found doing my own show to be a very rewarding experience, and although it was one of the harder things i've ever done in my life, i had a wonderful time.
Make sure when you approach the administration, you have a organized plan about the location of the show, where you'll get costumes, possibly WHAT show you'll be doing, a potential rehearsal schedule for that show, and address any technical issues that may arise. I have experience with my proposal initially being rejected, and then I came back to the administration with a revised plan that was more thought-out, and they said yes. Think of every detail you can and address it in your proposal to them. And if you could possibly think of an adult experienced in this field just to help you with details, NOT to come to rehearsals or be involved directly with the show, but just an advisor is helpful.
I hope this post was informative, lol.

[jackissensational]

Elphaba22, tons of help! If you don't mind my asking, why did the administration reject it the first time? (So I know to be careful about that issue.) And you said "do you own show is very rewarding." Are you implying that you and/or your roomate wrote the show? That would be impressive.

[Robinflamingo]

Here's the opinion of a theatre/English teacher:

First of all, I applaud you for your interest in keeping the arts alive in your corner of the world. We need people that will work toward a goal like this. Having said that, unless you come across as authoratative, I wouldn't attempt that age without a grown up to help. You are very close to their age, and that's a real barrier to get across.

Secondly, if this is your first directing experience, you need to really really have your prompt book done before the first rehearsal, your set designed, your lighting plot created, your rehearsal schedule optimized, your costumes considered, and your audition cuts and methods in place. Lack of organization will kill you with kids this age!

Finally, and I won't lie, it will be rewarding if you don't kill two thirds of them by the fourth rehearsal.

Let us know what you decide!

[Elphaba22]

They rejected it because I wanted to do a show with questionable content (even though my school is very open with that kind of thing) and a huge cast, and tons of technical extras: The Rocky Horror Show. It was pretty much asking to be rejected, hahaha.
No, we didn't write the show, we just put it up, it was Lucky Stiff, if you've ever heard of it, although my roomate is an incredible playwright, and right now, we're trying to collaborate and write a musical. It's in the very initial stages right now, we just thought up the idea, and have some basic plot and ideas for a couple songs. I'm really excited about it though.
Good luck with the show!

[Robinflamingo]

So...what did you decide?

[star2ballie]

Hey! I'm a little late (sorry), but just wanted to offer my help.

I assistant directed/choreographed for 6-9th graders, and then this year I got to fully direct and choreograph Into the Woods, Jr. for 6-8th graders.

It is a crazy harrowing experience, but also the most rewarding...for me, anyway.

I agree with what everyone said about being viewed as an authority figure. It's hard when you're only a few years older. Really hard. You will most definitely need an adult supervisor, if not just for your sake of keeping control but also because most school systems would require that, methinks.

If you have ANY other questions or anything, I'd be so happy to help. I love working with children.

Allie

[jackissensational]

[music is my life!!!]

we did midsummer night's dream at school and my teacher got her 2yr old neice to play the little prince! she ran on in the middle of the play within the play!

[Tovers]

I directed my first elementary school musical when I was in Grade 11. It was a lot of fun, and I didn't have much trouble handling the students, but there did have to be a teacher with me when I had after school rehearsals. It was often the principal, which I am sure - in retrospect - was the reason that the students were so well behaved.

I still direct children's musical theatre - 9 years later - and I still get annoyed at the students sometimes. They really don't listen sometimes. So, long story short...directing children's theatre is rewarding yet extremely exhausting and time consuming, and even years of experience doesn't always make kids listen.

[snowhite880]

I SM'd for BatB last summer, with a cast of 50, and many were pshycotic (sp?) Middle schoolers.

If you can get them to listen to you, then that's golden, and it can be a lot of fun that way. If you don't, then they can climb all over you. It also depends on the group of kid, if they are being forced to be there, then chances are they won't be too respectful.

Either way, good luck.

[Elphaba22]

It's a club, im pretty certain they aren't forced...?