More Than Just an Average Rant

I suppose that it's easy to view my comments as just ranting. However, ultimately, I am the one who makes the decisions for this program. Thus, rant or no rant, I have some things that need to be said.

Coming into this year, I knew that we would have some serious adjustment problems. Scheduling compounded this problem by mixing all of the levels together. I realize that there would be a transition period.

However, what is that we don't understand? Didn't the last group do the honorable thing and teach you how to be better Drama students? Did I fail to show you how to give to the program more than you take? More importantly, when did you learn to ignore me, and more importantly, why do you ignore me?

For the record, I don't believe that you're purposely ignoring me. When I say that something needs to be done, I don't imagine you saying, "The heck with Mr. Bair. Who cares what he says?" Instead, I think that you say, "He must be talking to someone else." Therein lies the problem; who is that someone else?

You see...this program only works when everyone in it accepts the premise that everything they do is for the betterment of the program. If there's a piece of trash on the stage, you pick it up because it's there, and it doesn't belong there. When I say to do something, you do it, not just because I said it, but because it's best for the program. It's just that simple.

That leads me to believe that you don't view the program in that light. My data is obvious. I have been saying over and over and over that you need to practice. I saw ONE group practice on a fairly regular basis. When the time came, it was easy to make corrections to their shows. I asked for a design for the puppet stage at least a week before we needed it, and while a couple of you submitted ideas, no one ever took the bull by the horns and made it happen. You waited for someone else. If it wasn't for Julia and Brittany painting during their aide periods, you still wouldn't have a painted stage.

These are not blanket statements; they don't apply to every one of you. However, they do apply to YOU AS A GROUP. One person's problems are the group's problems in Drama. Drama requires intimacy and honesty at all times. It requires commitment at all times. It requires selflessness, and in the past week, too many of you have been ridiculously selfish and lazy, which might I add...IS THE ULTIMATE FORM OF SELFISHNESS.

When I stood on the side stage and watched the faces of the kids and their parents, I thought, "You don't know how influential this is to little ones." Those kids are forming opinions and attitudes that will remain with them for a lifetime. To you, it was a bunch of stupid puppet shows. To them, it was impressionary. To me, it was a responsibility to represent the program, win respect from the community, and a chance to experience a different audience. To most of you, it was just a stupid puppet show.

At some point, you are going to have to accept that I know more than you do about this whole business. I have reasons for what I'm doing, and you're just going to need to trust me about those. If I ask you to do something, you're going to need to trust me that there's a reason why I want them done. If you hear me, but choose to ignore me, then I am wasting my time with you and vice-versa. That's my challenge to you.

Now, about last night....I am grateful for many of you, especially everyone who stayed after school and helped. Many of you worked hard, tirelessly, and constantly asked me what else you could do. I appreciate that, and I appreciate your desire to do all that you can do. I appreciate all of the snack donations, and I really appreciate the way you interacted with the kids. It means a lot more to them than you'll ever know. For everyone not currently in Drama who chose to help anyway, thanks. It was a "nice" evening.

My impression of the data was that the evening was nice, but the shows were sub-par. That brings me to my final public comments. I abhor, loathe, despise, and vow to fight the mentality that exists that "good" and "mediocre" are good enough. If you are happy with "good enough", you are in the wrong program. If you are satisfied with mediocrity, I can't work with you. I can co-exist, but I can't work with you. I don't work under that cloud. It's a disease as far as I'm concerned. Is it unrealistic to believe that someone can give 100% every day? Yes, it is. Is it realistic to be unsatisfied with that. YES!

I sound like a broken record, but that's my goal from the moment I entered this profession. If one person is motivated enough from that philosophy, then, my 17 years here haven't been a waste. If even one of you makes it to your dream job, then, I haven't wasted my time here. If all of this seems way too large and overblown, then, as far as I'm concerned, you need to raise your expectation level significantly.

Life is not about compromising your dreams. At your age, if you're settling for mediocrity, you're in for a life of disapppointment. I believe in what you're capable of, not what you can do without trying. I want more from you. Even more importantly, I want you to want more from yourself.

If you actually read every word of this, please post a comment that states as much. If you skimmed this, then, I believe that you're compromising already. I would recommend reading it again, word for word, and then, post that you did that. I'll actually respect you for it. I will see you on Monday.

MjB

P.S. I don't believe that we should make the trip to the elementary school. I am not satisfied with the final products, and I don't want to deliever anything less than the best. You can argue for or against that.

NOTE: If you're an alumni, please don't respond to this post with a quip or some clever comment. Send those to me in an e-mail. If you have something productive to add, please do.