To all those starting the new school year this month, a big bright welcome back to you! After two blissfully relaxing months, I'm raring to go! So despite the endless back to school "to do" lists and all the madness that comes with the first week of school, I was inspired to write.
I often wonder if people know how much work actually goes into staging a show. For instance, preparations for staging a small fifteen minute school play would usually clock up many hours, not only for rehearsals, but also to build the set, sort out costumes and props, coordinate the schedules of everyone involved, and brainstorm scripts (for actors, crew, technicians). Being involved in theater is a lot of fun but also a lot of work.
Benefit #1: It helps children develop confidence. Educators have always known that confidence is one of the most important traits a child can develop early in life. In school, children are constantly encouraged to do things for themselves, speak in front of the class, greet people politely, sing and dance... all of which aim to help children to become confident. When a school organizes a show, children are provided with numerous opportunities to build self-confidence. They get a chance to stand on a stage and perform in front of an audience - that takes a lot of confidence! Practices also help develop confidence since children will have to do their song or dance routine a number of times, and the more they practice, the more confident they get. Not only that, through shows and stage performances children can also develop other important skills like language skills, coordination, retention, and self-discipline.
Benefit #4: Teachers can also have their time to shine (yey!). They can exercise their creativity in coming up with ideas for song/dance routines or scripts for their class and in the process, learn skills like organization, coordination, time management, singing, dancing, acting, directing, or all of the above.
Challenge #1: Space. To stage a show, a school must have the space for it. The school where I currently teach, has a lovely building, a nice garden, and well-equipped music and movement facilities. But there's no stage and hardly any space for one. So I wrote to the school director and suggested that even without a purpose-built theater space, we should consider getting a suitable stage that can be set up in the garden or maybe even hire a venue for big shows.
Challenge #2: Rehearsals. Us teachers have a lot on our plate. In order to stage shows, teachers' planning and class schedules have to be coordinated well so that the rehearsals and any pre-production prep work won’t interfere with regular teaching time. Consider the following:
I often wonder if people know how much work actually goes into staging a show. For instance, preparations for staging a small fifteen minute school play would usually clock up many hours, not only for rehearsals, but also to build the set, sort out costumes and props, coordinate the schedules of everyone involved, and brainstorm scripts (for actors, crew, technicians). Being involved in theater is a lot of fun but also a lot of work.
Before I continue, I would like to point out that my overall theater experience is not as extensive as some people who work in the theater industry or who have been involved in stage productions all their lives. But what I do have is quite a bit of experience organizing school plays and shows, utilizing my own theater training and my understanding as a teacher, of the developmental and learning needs of children.
So, why attempt to put children on stage? What are some of the benefits of putting up shows in schools, no matter how small?
Benefit #1: It helps children develop confidence. Educators have always known that confidence is one of the most important traits a child can develop early in life. In school, children are constantly encouraged to do things for themselves, speak in front of the class, greet people politely, sing and dance... all of which aim to help children to become confident. When a school organizes a show, children are provided with numerous opportunities to build self-confidence. They get a chance to stand on a stage and perform in front of an audience - that takes a lot of confidence! Practices also help develop confidence since children will have to do their song or dance routine a number of times, and the more they practice, the more confident they get. Not only that, through shows and stage performances children can also develop other important skills like language skills, coordination, retention, and self-discipline.
Benefit #2: Parents love watching their children perform. When they get to see their little darlings on stage, they are almost overcome with joy. Happy parents are satisfied parents who won't complain and will even spread the word to all their friends.
Benefit #3: Holding regular school programs showcasing children’s talents is a great way to market the school – not only do parents come to watch, they bring their friends, colleagues, neighbors, relatives, clients, gym buddies, dog sitter… all of whom may have school age children who can be potential students for the school.
Benefit #5: With proper planning and organization, a school play can also be a source of income, even more so if a show is budgeted wisely or a reasonable entry fee is charged.
As I mentioned earlier, theater equals fun but it also entails hardwork. So what are some of the challenges one might encounter on the road to (school-wide) fame?
Challenge #1: Space. To stage a show, a school must have the space for it. The school where I currently teach, has a lovely building, a nice garden, and well-equipped music and movement facilities. But there's no stage and hardly any space for one. So I wrote to the school director and suggested that even without a purpose-built theater space, we should consider getting a suitable stage that can be set up in the garden or maybe even hire a venue for big shows.
Challenge #2: Rehearsals. Us teachers have a lot on our plate. In order to stage shows, teachers' planning and class schedules have to be coordinated well so that the rehearsals and any pre-production prep work won’t interfere with regular teaching time. Consider the following:
- Plan all the shows for the year and make sure there's lots of time for prep work.
- Incorporate rehearsals during Circle Time or other big group activity times.
- Schedule short rehearsals after school with permission from the parents.
- Schedule general rehearsals to replace a common shared time like Outside Play.
Challenge #3: Equipment. Consider investing in special equipment like a movable, easy-to-store stage, sound system with microphones, or even a closet of commonly-used costumes like clowns, princess/queen, witch, or animals. If you take the time to look around, perhaps you will find retail stores that sell inexpensive costumes or even tailors willing to whip up a few starter costumes and prop items for a small fee.
These are just some of the basics. I, like many teachers, learn through experience. I am passionate about theater and I know how much children enjoy the hands-on approach of a theater experience, that's why I do the things I do in school. So get those creative juices flowing, be ready to get your hands dirty, and get on with the show!
