Middle School Theatre Wish List...

...and How to Make Those Dreams a Reality

This past month I held auditions for my fourth full-length musical at my middle school. This show involves an average of 120 students every year from cast, stage crew, student pit, and scenic design. Each year, I learn from my successes, but I learn even more from the endless bumps and “fails” (as my students would say). During these “fails,” I want to know where my Fairy Godmother Tree is or when the tap dancing Genie will make his grand entrance.

Do we middle school directors ever have a tree that produces a beautiful gown or are we ever granted three wishes?

​As, I begin to plan for my school’s production, my wish list has grown - along with the number of students involved. Many of these wishes can be granted by using a teacher’s most powerful tool - their students. The students that are attracted to the world of theatre can be the most creative and dedicated group of young people ever! Once you allow yourself to let the students contribute to more than stage time - you will feel the presence of true theatre magic.

The following are my top wishes and ways that I have tried to make them come true:

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1. More Hands (we can only do so much)

• Get fellow teachers involved. Some teachers may have interests in various pieces of the production. The more teachers involved the more excited the whole school community will be.
• Parents can be so helpful - but need to be managed! Many parents of theatre kids have their own connect to the world of theatre. Allow parents to help in the various aspects of the show. Be warned, sometimes too many hands can ruin the backdrop. Personally, I have created the position of “Cast Parent Leader,” this parent serves as a point person for all parents. This parents manages all of the parents and their questions/concerns so I can focus solely on the children.

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2. Brighter and More Creative Sets
Enlist the help of the artists in your building! Middle Schoolers can be so artistic and will do great work when they are given creative license. Once your set is painted you will see that your community is only more impressed when they learn that it is the work of students. 

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3. Actors that Remember Dances, Lines, and Entrances
Break your students in small teams. These teams can be filled with students of all different roles and skills. Have these teams help each other practice ensemble numbers and  give each other feedback . You can even have a mini competition for these teams.
(i.e. first team to make places, first team to hang up all costumes, be creative!)

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4. And of Course. . .        More Time

• Plan ahead and over plan!
  ​Better to cancel unneeded rehearsals than have none left.
• Use those teams to review scenes and numbers so you can devote your attention to that scene that has gone unblocked or to those lighting cues.

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Please feel free to try these suggestions out, add your own tips below, or ask questions! Together we can make the theatre a place of fun and magic for our students and our communities!

AUTHOR

Mark Accardi; Mongomery Upper Middle School