[carrierj]

My friend and I were having this disscussion yesterday, and I am interested to hear what you all have to say.

Is it appropraite for a school teacher (any grad level/non theatre teacher) to perform in local live theatre? What roles are appropriate?

I think it all depends on the role. I wanted to audition for Rent, but decided against it as there could have been minors involved. What about roles like Lucy in Jekyll and Hyde? What about students who also may be involved in the community group?

This all came up because I am going to be doing my student teaching as an eigth grade teacher this semester, and a company is doing Jekyll and Hyde. Lucy is one of my dream roles, but I am not auditionsing (first of all because I might not have the time) and second I'm not sure an eigth grade teacher should perform that sort of a role.

Should teachers feel comfortable doing these kinds of shows/roles? Should parents be offended/concerned if a teacher performs such a role?

Any thoughts/comments?

[fjays]

I saw RENT last year, and the lady playing Joanne wrote in her bio that she was a school music teacher, and even named her school.
I think its totally appropriate. I think its cool as bananas. I'd love to see a teacher of mine in a show~ Even if it is a sexual show!

[SmallTownIngenue]

I honestly don't see a problem with it. I doubt many 8th graders would be interested in seeing that show (unless they are interested in theater), and you don't have to tell them about your personal life, so chances are most would never know. I've done shows with teachers before (granted not my teachers, but teachers nonetheless), and it's no big deal.

[BwayJuvinile]

I have been in numerous shows with people who are teachers. There should be NO issue with this.

If you are playing Lucy in Jekyll and Hyde, and teach 1st grade, don't invite your class if you don't want them to see you perform. Otherwise do what you want.

[dolbinau]

Can anyone suggest why it may be inappropriate? I can't really think of a reason..

[LisaKitty]

Maybe I'm just way too liberal, but I don't quite understand your question, or why this would ever be an issue. Why shouldn't a teacher be able to participate in any community theatre production? Just because a role may be a little racy, or a show has adult themes, I don't understand why you think it should be "off limits" just because you are a teacher by profession. I mean, it's musical theater, for crying out loud. It's not like you're starring in a porn film, or doing something illegal. Don't you think teachers are entitled to have hobbies and lives outside of the classroom?

I'm sorry you feel you have to give up shows and roles you are really interested in because you feel it's not appropriate for someone in your profession.

[kozafluitmusique]

My sophomore Religion teacher sometimes acts in community theatre productions over the summer. He was in a production of Blood Brothers & he was going to do Oliver this summer, but I think he made some remark about not having time .... I can't see any problem with teachers in community theatre....

[Xxmcfly85xX]

I don't think it's an issue at all, like others here I've been in shows with people who were teachers, and a lot of the cast were high school students.

In that context and situation, the jobs of the adults involved in the show weren't ever seen as a problem. I actually didn't know what half of them did for a living.

This probably isnt related, but it kind of comes to mind, I always thought that the people in my community theatre group should however have a working with childrens check thingy. Because I seriously had my doubts about one man in particular in our company. But, yeah just putting that out there, related or not.

[Damask and Dark]

In the production of ITW that I was in last summer, the Witch was played by an area high school English teacher. She did a great job. I don't think anyone had a problem with her being involved, and some of her current and former students were also in the production and were fine with their teacher running around yelling at them onstage.

If the role is more sexual or controversial, such as some of the roles in RENT, it should probably be left up to the teacher's discretion and best judgement. For example, how mature are his or her students? How many students would actually go see the show? How conservative or liberal is the general population? If some people happened to be offended, will it damage the teacher's reputation, and is he or she willing to accept that? In any case, I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing for a teacher to play a role like this (e.g., Maureen) if she is talented enough and comfortable with the part. However, I know that in my small, conservative town in the Midwest, a female teacher kissing a woman, mooning the audience, using "vulgar" language, etc. would almost certainly get negative feedback for doing it.

Actually, my town would never do RENT in a million years anyway, school edition or not. Our school director has already ruled out Grease because of "that virginity song" and the pregnancy issue and Hairspray because she doesn't like the cross-dressing aspect with Edna. A gay man dressed in zebra Santa drag would certainly not go over well with her (though I imagine that her reaction to this would be rather hilarious to watch). Our community production group is more daring but still probably wouldn't go too far due to the conservative population here.

[thewordisno]

When I did Grease in community theater when I was in 10th grade, I was cast as Eugene and one of the local music teachers was cast as ChaCha. I thought it was fine because she wasn't my music teacher, but if I had to play the scene with my own teacher it may have been awkward, especially at that age. Also, it may have not been awkward for either of us, but I could definitely see someone from the school board or something getting upset.

For those of you not familiar with the stage show, ChaCha dances with Eugene, gets him to drink from a flask, and gropes him a little.

I think that if you're not working with your own students than do whatever you want in community theater, you may even get a kid interested. I would however caution you if your community theater group involves your students.

[Matthew]

LOL.

[Brackynn]

One of our Les Mis ensemble members is a high school teacher. He plays a pimp, a gang member, a student at the barricade and the "queer" at the wedding. Hasn't been an issue at all.

[Yakko]

As long as they don't suck, I don't see any problem with it. In fact I had worked with a teacher from my old high school when my town did the Edward Scissorhands ballet.

[Silverweed]

My high school acting teacher just played Berger in HAIR and he invited all of us to go see it... and he was nude in the show (and also spent a good deal of time prancing about onstage with no pants or underwear on). It didn't even occur to me that it was inappropriate for him to do the show.