The Disturbing but not Hopeless State of the Drama Nation
Knowing that this year would be a challenge, I did all I could to provide us with “doable” opportunities to establish the necessary skills to tackle a full production. I even attempted this process with Drama I students, who receive a complete mulligan at this point. Their futures are still undecided. However, for everyone else, your future is now, and I have major fears concerning that future. Here's where we stand from my perspective.
ACTING: After yesterday, I truly believe that we have very little left to teach or clarify. In an effort not direct in a “circular fashion”, I would like direct less and clarify more. From my end, a director is always trying something new and different in an effort to verify that his vision is being realized. For some folks, I'll say, “Do it like this”, knowing that I have no intention of “doing it like that.” You have to experiment to verify that your vision is accurate.
In short, we have enough talent to make this play all it can be. However, we haven't had the “push” that is necessary to send a show from an average production to a great production. Perhaps on Monday when we all sit together and watch this, we'll have that push. For now, there's still way too much mumbling, not enough energy, and I have yet to see someone throw this production on their shoulders and say, “Follow me.” That is a definite and recurring theme this semester.
COSTUMES: OK...make sure you don't ignore this first statement....I truly believe that you have been working on this long and hard. I love the Shakespearean stuff for the most part, even though I don't understand why certain characters STILL don't have necessary parts to their costumes. It's the main characters that are still causing me confusion. Is there a theme or a connection between them? They seem very random, especially by time period.
Now, I want you to know that I think costumes are incredibly important when it comes to a production. In some ways, it's the easiest way to spawn the “push” that we need. There's something about stepping into a costume that helps someone “become a character.” I don't want to minimize that. I just would like to find some continuity in what we're doing, and foremost, I would actually like to see everyone in costume. That would help too.
MAKEUP: Well, I fully trust that there is a plan in place, so I won't question that. I am more concerned with hair and continuity of makeup. For instance, hair and makeup from the 80's was quite different than today. Ultimately, it's up to Morgan. She's in charge, and I hope that we're ready to implement her plan. Of course, it would be nice if she would give me a makeup list soon....hint...hint.
LIGHTING: In almost all ways, except a few exceptions, I am very disappointed here. Luckily, yesterday, Ryan and Jenny tell me that the lights are programmed. In theory, that's great. In practice, it's horribly disturbing. Foremost, I haven't seen them yet. Secondly, and FAR MORE IMPORTANTLY, I had no one there to run lights yesterday. That's right. During a dress rehearsal, I had no one running lights. That's even more profoundly unbelievable when you realize that I have ten individuals who are claiming lights as their primary home! I knew we would struggle here this year, but this is taking it to new heights. Won't someone claim this as their domain? Won't someone say, “It's all me Mr. Bair. Stop worrying.”
BUILDING: Ah....building....where to begin. I'm truly confused as to where to begin. There are so man possibilities here. We could start with the three day door frame that was never finished. Then, to add insult to injury, my third period “building crew” left on Wednesday with all of their materials, screws, drills, wood, etc. Ironically, no one seemed to have a plan or any idea that we actually needed the frame for the show. One building crew representative actually did show up on Saturday, and yes, he did complete the project I gave him.
HOWEVER, the actual building for this show was completed by graduates on Wednesday evening. Yes, that's right. I had to rely on my alumni to finish the building for this show. I found this ironic upon reading the evaluations from my fourth period building crew; apparently each member believed that he had more than met his building requirements and deserved an “A.” Am I missing something here?
At the end of the day, this is what the building folks in fourth period accomplished: after much guidance and in-fighting, you managed to successfully create the back wall alignment. You also managed to create some angle jacks for the foam walls, but you did not build those walls. They were completed on a Saturday in which very few of you actually appeared. Mark did build the bed I needed, and it does work. This is a massive disappointment for me in this show.
ART: Sometimes, a group can work for long periods of time, accomplish a great deal, but somehow, the job just isn't finished. That's where this group stands. On the troubling side, I see no plan in place to complete it, and I'm not sure anyone in art, other than Aurelie, knows what needs to be finished. This weekend, I had some alumni working to complete many of the tasks that needed finished, and I had some current students working as well.
We do need to learn some lessons immediately. Foremost, paint stains surfaces. I know that historically adolescents can be very messy with paint. This group is redefining the process. I'm not sure how this message got lost in translation, but let me assure you that YOU MUST USE A DROPCLOTH WHEN PAINTING! This is especially true when we paint in the hallway and/or outside. For the record, I have a cleaner that does work on paint. Don't experiment with chemicals and tools. Ask.
Secondly, it's important to ask your director(s) and/or producer about designs before painting them. I feel absolutely terrible having to ask someone to paint over something that you have gone to great effort to create. This is especially true of the signs for the street. While folks were very complementary about the street signs, everyone said the same thing: “I can't read the writing.” We had to create an addendum to the signs that made the dates and times clear. That's double work, and yes, folks who aren't even in the art committee were stuck doing the work.
SOUND: OK...keeping it short and sweet. I think we have most of what we need, and if we don't, it's my fault. I have been adding sounds across the board. On top of that, Steven was forced to run lights yesterday when he should have been running sounds. I would like to daisy-chain the speakers, but right now, that just can't be a priority of mine.
STAGE CREW: What can I say that hasn't already been said? We're unprepared, we needed to practice on Saturday, we didn't, and I don't know what the plan to correct that problem is. Saturday should have been stage crew gold, but instead, it only further entrenched my major concerns here. You're primarily seniors, and you're both competent, so I'm trusting you to get it done, but as of this moment, it's not done.
CONCESSIONS/TICKETS and USHERING: OK...I have no complaints or compliments. I truly have no idea where we are with this. Someone should update me. David?
PROPS: This is one of the few areas where we appear to be almost ready. I am concerned about the blood packets and the smoke for the “prop that explodes.” However, I do have a way that I think we can make that work. We need to try that tomorrow. I'm we'll see how that works tomorrow. Otherwise, are we missing something? I don't think so, but I could be wrong.
PUBLICITY: This is a tough committee, and honestly, it appears that we're pretty much on target. The poster was error-free, and the tickets are error-free. Have we called the Herald Mail? Where were the posters placed in Boonsboro? The posters were placed around the school on Saturday, so we're good there. What about these table tents? Are they ready? Are we doing that? Do we have ticket sellers for this week? Did the announcement make the bulletin? Does everyone know about the matinee? Are we adding an addendum to the posters in school? Who has the plan? That's a lot of questions.
As for the program, Susary, we were supposed to e-mail final changes yesterday. Did we do that? I somehow suspect you have too much on your plate at this point. Am I right? Who can help her? There are many individuals in publicity. Can you help? If we don't send the corrections by tomorrow morning, they won't be made.
THE BIG PICTURE (If you read nothing else, read this section.)
There is a perpetual theme occurring here. If you read every section, it stands out like a sore thumb. Beneath it are sub-themes that are equally as obvious. While I believe in what we're doing, and while I believe we can still reach our intended goal, at some point, the BIG MESSAGE must be heard:
THE UPPERCLASSMEN IN THIS SHOW ARE NOT TAKING OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROCESS, and THEY ARE NOT TEACHING THE NEXT GENERATION HOW TO LOVE AND CHERISH THE PROCESS.
There are so many of you who have done that. There are many of you who have done everything I could ask and more. However, if you look at the fourth period class and you analyze how many are workers, leaders, or non-existent in this process. How many come to rehearsal, and that's the only time we see them? How many Drama I's do we see after school and on Saturdays? How many are growing to be the next generation of Drama leadership?
There are so many of you who are taking things for granted. We have this conversation at home all the time. Nothing in life gets finished by a magic wand or by some other magical event. Everything that is completed is completed because someone worked hard to get it done. It's simple. Whatever is finished right now is finished because someone worked very hard to make it happen.
On Wednesday and Saturday of this past week, there were MANY things that were accomplished because a graduate of this program completed it. That's fine as long as they complete it in conjunction with a current Drama member. It's not find when I realize that many things would never be done and no one would care except for those graduates.
I'm certain that no one likes reading these things; I don't like writing them. I would rather write that everything is where it should be. It's not. This year is a pivotal year in the future of this program. I knew it would be. My Drama I's are establishing their futures right now. We can see the handwriting on the wall. We know who is with us, and we can see who is drifting away. It's all good. The process is working.
At the end of the day though, this isn't about one class or the other. This production falls under the umbrella of Boonsboro High School Drama. That means it represents the past, the present, and the future. We're all stakeholders in this process. We'll all accept the successes and the failures. It will be a BHS Drama production. You are not an island. You can't say, “I did my part.” You will only be able to say, “We didn't pull it off.”
Here are the only questions that I need you to answer for me for this week:
1. Regardless of what has occurred at this point, what can you do at this point to make this a success?
2. What young person can you take with you and share the experience with?
3. How can you be part of the solution instead of part of the problem?
4. What time do you want to come in tomorrow, and what do you want to accomplish?
5. Who wants this to be a massive success, and who believes it can be?
That's where I am now. I've been doing some soul-searching too. I never post these things without checking my “dirty house” too. I'll do what it takes, but my energy level is mightily low. I dare you....inspire me to overcome that!
MjB
ACTING: After yesterday, I truly believe that we have very little left to teach or clarify. In an effort not direct in a “circular fashion”, I would like direct less and clarify more. From my end, a director is always trying something new and different in an effort to verify that his vision is being realized. For some folks, I'll say, “Do it like this”, knowing that I have no intention of “doing it like that.” You have to experiment to verify that your vision is accurate.
In short, we have enough talent to make this play all it can be. However, we haven't had the “push” that is necessary to send a show from an average production to a great production. Perhaps on Monday when we all sit together and watch this, we'll have that push. For now, there's still way too much mumbling, not enough energy, and I have yet to see someone throw this production on their shoulders and say, “Follow me.” That is a definite and recurring theme this semester.
COSTUMES: OK...make sure you don't ignore this first statement....I truly believe that you have been working on this long and hard. I love the Shakespearean stuff for the most part, even though I don't understand why certain characters STILL don't have necessary parts to their costumes. It's the main characters that are still causing me confusion. Is there a theme or a connection between them? They seem very random, especially by time period.
Now, I want you to know that I think costumes are incredibly important when it comes to a production. In some ways, it's the easiest way to spawn the “push” that we need. There's something about stepping into a costume that helps someone “become a character.” I don't want to minimize that. I just would like to find some continuity in what we're doing, and foremost, I would actually like to see everyone in costume. That would help too.
MAKEUP: Well, I fully trust that there is a plan in place, so I won't question that. I am more concerned with hair and continuity of makeup. For instance, hair and makeup from the 80's was quite different than today. Ultimately, it's up to Morgan. She's in charge, and I hope that we're ready to implement her plan. Of course, it would be nice if she would give me a makeup list soon....hint...hint.
LIGHTING: In almost all ways, except a few exceptions, I am very disappointed here. Luckily, yesterday, Ryan and Jenny tell me that the lights are programmed. In theory, that's great. In practice, it's horribly disturbing. Foremost, I haven't seen them yet. Secondly, and FAR MORE IMPORTANTLY, I had no one there to run lights yesterday. That's right. During a dress rehearsal, I had no one running lights. That's even more profoundly unbelievable when you realize that I have ten individuals who are claiming lights as their primary home! I knew we would struggle here this year, but this is taking it to new heights. Won't someone claim this as their domain? Won't someone say, “It's all me Mr. Bair. Stop worrying.”
BUILDING: Ah....building....where to begin. I'm truly confused as to where to begin. There are so man possibilities here. We could start with the three day door frame that was never finished. Then, to add insult to injury, my third period “building crew” left on Wednesday with all of their materials, screws, drills, wood, etc. Ironically, no one seemed to have a plan or any idea that we actually needed the frame for the show. One building crew representative actually did show up on Saturday, and yes, he did complete the project I gave him.
HOWEVER, the actual building for this show was completed by graduates on Wednesday evening. Yes, that's right. I had to rely on my alumni to finish the building for this show. I found this ironic upon reading the evaluations from my fourth period building crew; apparently each member believed that he had more than met his building requirements and deserved an “A.” Am I missing something here?
At the end of the day, this is what the building folks in fourth period accomplished: after much guidance and in-fighting, you managed to successfully create the back wall alignment. You also managed to create some angle jacks for the foam walls, but you did not build those walls. They were completed on a Saturday in which very few of you actually appeared. Mark did build the bed I needed, and it does work. This is a massive disappointment for me in this show.
ART: Sometimes, a group can work for long periods of time, accomplish a great deal, but somehow, the job just isn't finished. That's where this group stands. On the troubling side, I see no plan in place to complete it, and I'm not sure anyone in art, other than Aurelie, knows what needs to be finished. This weekend, I had some alumni working to complete many of the tasks that needed finished, and I had some current students working as well.
We do need to learn some lessons immediately. Foremost, paint stains surfaces. I know that historically adolescents can be very messy with paint. This group is redefining the process. I'm not sure how this message got lost in translation, but let me assure you that YOU MUST USE A DROPCLOTH WHEN PAINTING! This is especially true when we paint in the hallway and/or outside. For the record, I have a cleaner that does work on paint. Don't experiment with chemicals and tools. Ask.
Secondly, it's important to ask your director(s) and/or producer about designs before painting them. I feel absolutely terrible having to ask someone to paint over something that you have gone to great effort to create. This is especially true of the signs for the street. While folks were very complementary about the street signs, everyone said the same thing: “I can't read the writing.” We had to create an addendum to the signs that made the dates and times clear. That's double work, and yes, folks who aren't even in the art committee were stuck doing the work.
SOUND: OK...keeping it short and sweet. I think we have most of what we need, and if we don't, it's my fault. I have been adding sounds across the board. On top of that, Steven was forced to run lights yesterday when he should have been running sounds. I would like to daisy-chain the speakers, but right now, that just can't be a priority of mine.
STAGE CREW: What can I say that hasn't already been said? We're unprepared, we needed to practice on Saturday, we didn't, and I don't know what the plan to correct that problem is. Saturday should have been stage crew gold, but instead, it only further entrenched my major concerns here. You're primarily seniors, and you're both competent, so I'm trusting you to get it done, but as of this moment, it's not done.
CONCESSIONS/TICKETS and USHERING: OK...I have no complaints or compliments. I truly have no idea where we are with this. Someone should update me. David?
PROPS: This is one of the few areas where we appear to be almost ready. I am concerned about the blood packets and the smoke for the “prop that explodes.” However, I do have a way that I think we can make that work. We need to try that tomorrow. I'm we'll see how that works tomorrow. Otherwise, are we missing something? I don't think so, but I could be wrong.
PUBLICITY: This is a tough committee, and honestly, it appears that we're pretty much on target. The poster was error-free, and the tickets are error-free. Have we called the Herald Mail? Where were the posters placed in Boonsboro? The posters were placed around the school on Saturday, so we're good there. What about these table tents? Are they ready? Are we doing that? Do we have ticket sellers for this week? Did the announcement make the bulletin? Does everyone know about the matinee? Are we adding an addendum to the posters in school? Who has the plan? That's a lot of questions.
As for the program, Susary, we were supposed to e-mail final changes yesterday. Did we do that? I somehow suspect you have too much on your plate at this point. Am I right? Who can help her? There are many individuals in publicity. Can you help? If we don't send the corrections by tomorrow morning, they won't be made.
THE BIG PICTURE (If you read nothing else, read this section.)
There is a perpetual theme occurring here. If you read every section, it stands out like a sore thumb. Beneath it are sub-themes that are equally as obvious. While I believe in what we're doing, and while I believe we can still reach our intended goal, at some point, the BIG MESSAGE must be heard:
THE UPPERCLASSMEN IN THIS SHOW ARE NOT TAKING OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROCESS, and THEY ARE NOT TEACHING THE NEXT GENERATION HOW TO LOVE AND CHERISH THE PROCESS.
There are so many of you who have done that. There are many of you who have done everything I could ask and more. However, if you look at the fourth period class and you analyze how many are workers, leaders, or non-existent in this process. How many come to rehearsal, and that's the only time we see them? How many Drama I's do we see after school and on Saturdays? How many are growing to be the next generation of Drama leadership?
There are so many of you who are taking things for granted. We have this conversation at home all the time. Nothing in life gets finished by a magic wand or by some other magical event. Everything that is completed is completed because someone worked hard to get it done. It's simple. Whatever is finished right now is finished because someone worked very hard to make it happen.
On Wednesday and Saturday of this past week, there were MANY things that were accomplished because a graduate of this program completed it. That's fine as long as they complete it in conjunction with a current Drama member. It's not find when I realize that many things would never be done and no one would care except for those graduates.
I'm certain that no one likes reading these things; I don't like writing them. I would rather write that everything is where it should be. It's not. This year is a pivotal year in the future of this program. I knew it would be. My Drama I's are establishing their futures right now. We can see the handwriting on the wall. We know who is with us, and we can see who is drifting away. It's all good. The process is working.
At the end of the day though, this isn't about one class or the other. This production falls under the umbrella of Boonsboro High School Drama. That means it represents the past, the present, and the future. We're all stakeholders in this process. We'll all accept the successes and the failures. It will be a BHS Drama production. You are not an island. You can't say, “I did my part.” You will only be able to say, “We didn't pull it off.”
Here are the only questions that I need you to answer for me for this week:
1. Regardless of what has occurred at this point, what can you do at this point to make this a success?
2. What young person can you take with you and share the experience with?
3. How can you be part of the solution instead of part of the problem?
4. What time do you want to come in tomorrow, and what do you want to accomplish?
5. Who wants this to be a massive success, and who believes it can be?
That's where I am now. I've been doing some soul-searching too. I never post these things without checking my “dirty house” too. I'll do what it takes, but my energy level is mightily low. I dare you....inspire me to overcome that!
MjB
posted by Mr. Bair at 5:25 PM
7 Comments:
Oddly, these have always been my favourite posts to read. Everything is out in writing.
But I just wanted to point SOME blame where I'm due for it. I was part of the problem in the beginning steps of trying to "experimenting with chemicals and tools before asking."
Sorry Mr. Bair, kinda dropped the ball there.
Wow, this really is disturbing. I didn't realize how much still needs to be accomplished.
The table tent layout is complete, but I don't think they've been printed yet.
It is disturbing, and I forgive everyone for trying without asking first. I just would like to be consulted. Don't sweat it.
MjB
Approximately how long is this play? I would love to try to make it to the matinee on saturday but I'm scheduled to work at 2. If I can maybe go into work later I can definitely make it. However, it depends how much later ^^;
Someday you should put on A Winter's Tale.
Why? Because it has a bear in it.
Sam,
It's about an 85 minutes, which includes the intermission. Chris...that's a cold suggestion.
MjB
Seriously, you should put that play on. It would be hilarious and I'd get everyone I can to watch it. You could do it next year. Or maybe when you retire as part of some grand going out with a bang thing like the movie Mr. Holland's Opus.
Smithsburg did High School Musical 1 AND 2. At least I know you'll never stop to that.
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