It always happens this time of year. The school year is suddenly upon us, there is suddenly so much to do and we are all overwhelmed. Class sizes are bigger this year, as are the projects we are undertaking on stage. There are new rules for the fiscal reporting, the latest greatest educational tracking tools have been scrapped for the next latest greatest, our storage space has been delayed and our program has grown so fast, we don't have space for our classes. So I should feel horribly overwhelmed, right?
Well I could. But I don't, and as much as I consider myself a well adjusted individual I don't think it is simply my amazing coping skills that can take all the credit. What I believe is really changing the attitude and keeping the stress under control is real communication within our department and our school.
We started with two days of meetings. Like ya do, but these were not long drawn out useless meetings or RaRa meetings that non of us really need. We spent a few hours in the mornings getting together as a staff, getting updates on our students, welcoming our new staff and discussing the evolution of our school's goals and plans. Goals and plans that we have been a part of for two years. We took a really hard look at some data that shows us where we are failing our most vulnerable kids, but rather than feeling terrible about it, I came out with some real hope and genuine optimism for positive change. And that was because our administrator looked at us and said, "This is on me. This is completely my fault." And he didn't mean it was his fault because the buck stops with him, he meant he really was the one that made the decisions that effected these kids. Now, I do not believe we played no part, but his willingness to look at his entire staff and say that gave me confidence that we will, as a staff have the courage to face the really tough questions and solve the problems. And this group of admins knows it isn't an over night process. That is reassuring.
Then we talked as a theater department. We have such a great team. We have made a plan for these over stuffed classes that will hopefully give the students ownership of the theater and the space and their actions, but get the shows in our 6 show season build and staffed. We have 180 kids through the shop in our 7 1/2 hour day, then an additional group anywhere from 4 to 40 in our 5 hour rehearsal sessions. That's a lot of planning for success on a student by student level.
All of this takes great communication and great staff and a lot, a lot, a lot of planning. We joke around and say we're making it up. We say we're winging it, but really, we start on Plan A and may end the day on Plan Q. We're not making it up, we're just rolling with the punches.
So understand, when you're overwhelmed and the odds seem terribly out of your favor; reach out, communicate, plan and then trust yourself. You got this.
Monday, August 29, 2016
Monday, August 22, 2016
Everything I Need to Know, I Learned in the Theater. Part 1
Now that rehearsals are already started, scripts are out and everyone is getting ready for the first day of school to catch up with the first day of the theater season, lets talk a little about time management. That is an evil phrase we all groan about, but its also one of the best lessons we can take away from the theater. Colleges and employers have recognized that time management skills are one of the most desirable traits in new hires and theater arts teaches that. It is however, not a natural skill for many of us, so lets look at ways all you newbies can start to train yourself, along with your posture, wrench skills and speaking voice, to be the best possible in and out of the theater.
1. Get enough sleep. That sound like the end of the day, not the beginning, but you cannot be your best if your brain is undercharged. Studies show teens sleep patterns change, so while you may get tired later, you actually need more sleep than your little brother who is in fourth grade. Unfortunately, school systems have not caught on, so you may still have to get up early. Just recognize that you PHYSICALLY need the sleep.
2. Make a written list of what you need to do. A trick that is used in the culinary field that can work for everyone. They make a list, then the throw it away. Then they make it again. Then they toss it. They do this until they have their prep lists down cold. You don't need to be that militant, but make a list before you leave every day of what you need to/want to accomplish. And actually write it down. In a notebook dedicated to that purpose. Putting it in your calendar is good, but putting pen to paper uses more parts of your brain, thus locking the information in more areas and creating more neural connection to the data, making it more likely that you will remember and succeed at that task. Science.
3. Use the drive time. If you take the bus, use that time to read and plan. If you drive with friends, you can do the same. Please don't read and drive.
4. It goes without saying, but don't skip class. Even if you can. Much like stretching before dance or vocal warm ups before singing, skipping only hurts you and you will regret the choice later on.
5. Be prepared. Get to your class with enough time to get your materials out and be ready to go. You will feel less overwhelmed by new information if you are not constantly searching for a pencil when the lesson starts.
6. Eat lunch and drink water. Your brain will thank you.
7. Use after school time wisely. If you have a study hall, use it to do homework or better yet, get ahead. Mark Twain had a saying, "Eat the frog." Sound horrible, right? Well, that's the idea. Do the hardest thing first. Get the worst part of your work out out the way. Psychologically, you will feel better. If you find you need help, you will know that very quickly and can seek help sooner than if you put it off. You will likely gain time back in your life by tackling your hardest subjects first, as you will be mentally fresher and not tired and struggling. Tip for test studying, chew gum while you study, then chew the same gum during tests. The flavor and smell will be associated with the information, making it easier to recall. Not allowed to chew gum? Hard candies, jolly ranchers, cough drops, anything like that will help.
8. Memorize on your own time. This goes for class and rehearsal. The work starts when you know the information. Introduction, information and practical practice are your director/teacher's job. Absorbing and learning it is your job. No one can learn for you. Walk while you read, move around with your book/script. Again, the activity will help you retain information.
9. Use rehearsal time wisely. Turn off the phone. Really, off. No one will care that your Snapchat goes silent for three hours and the Twitter-verse will survive without you. It'll all be there when you're done. Rehearsal time isn't social time. That doesn't mean you should be a cold jerk to everyone around you, but if you aren't learning your script,blocking, choreography or cues in your rehearsal time, do your homework. You will feel better when its done, the rehearsal will be quieter and you will not have to go home to a mountain of homework. The hard stuff will already be done, right?
10. Make time for friends, but make more time for you. Remember that whole sleep thing we started with? Resist the urge to go out with friends after rehearsal if you have to get up at 6:30 to get to class. You are more important than the social needs of others. Recognize when you need to sleep and say no to distractions when you need it.
There are always more tips and tricks, but ten is a good place to start. Remember, its your time and you don't get it back. What are you going to create with that time? Don't be afraid to ask for help and have fun. Its theater, if you're not having fun, you're not doing it right.
Interesting links on the subject
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/inside-the-classroom/8-ways-to-take-control-of-your-time
http://themetapicture.com/useful-tips/
1. Get enough sleep. That sound like the end of the day, not the beginning, but you cannot be your best if your brain is undercharged. Studies show teens sleep patterns change, so while you may get tired later, you actually need more sleep than your little brother who is in fourth grade. Unfortunately, school systems have not caught on, so you may still have to get up early. Just recognize that you PHYSICALLY need the sleep.
2. Make a written list of what you need to do. A trick that is used in the culinary field that can work for everyone. They make a list, then the throw it away. Then they make it again. Then they toss it. They do this until they have their prep lists down cold. You don't need to be that militant, but make a list before you leave every day of what you need to/want to accomplish. And actually write it down. In a notebook dedicated to that purpose. Putting it in your calendar is good, but putting pen to paper uses more parts of your brain, thus locking the information in more areas and creating more neural connection to the data, making it more likely that you will remember and succeed at that task. Science.
3. Use the drive time. If you take the bus, use that time to read and plan. If you drive with friends, you can do the same. Please don't read and drive.
4. It goes without saying, but don't skip class. Even if you can. Much like stretching before dance or vocal warm ups before singing, skipping only hurts you and you will regret the choice later on.
5. Be prepared. Get to your class with enough time to get your materials out and be ready to go. You will feel less overwhelmed by new information if you are not constantly searching for a pencil when the lesson starts.
6. Eat lunch and drink water. Your brain will thank you.
7. Use after school time wisely. If you have a study hall, use it to do homework or better yet, get ahead. Mark Twain had a saying, "Eat the frog." Sound horrible, right? Well, that's the idea. Do the hardest thing first. Get the worst part of your work out out the way. Psychologically, you will feel better. If you find you need help, you will know that very quickly and can seek help sooner than if you put it off. You will likely gain time back in your life by tackling your hardest subjects first, as you will be mentally fresher and not tired and struggling. Tip for test studying, chew gum while you study, then chew the same gum during tests. The flavor and smell will be associated with the information, making it easier to recall. Not allowed to chew gum? Hard candies, jolly ranchers, cough drops, anything like that will help.
8. Memorize on your own time. This goes for class and rehearsal. The work starts when you know the information. Introduction, information and practical practice are your director/teacher's job. Absorbing and learning it is your job. No one can learn for you. Walk while you read, move around with your book/script. Again, the activity will help you retain information.
9. Use rehearsal time wisely. Turn off the phone. Really, off. No one will care that your Snapchat goes silent for three hours and the Twitter-verse will survive without you. It'll all be there when you're done. Rehearsal time isn't social time. That doesn't mean you should be a cold jerk to everyone around you, but if you aren't learning your script,blocking, choreography or cues in your rehearsal time, do your homework. You will feel better when its done, the rehearsal will be quieter and you will not have to go home to a mountain of homework. The hard stuff will already be done, right?
10. Make time for friends, but make more time for you. Remember that whole sleep thing we started with? Resist the urge to go out with friends after rehearsal if you have to get up at 6:30 to get to class. You are more important than the social needs of others. Recognize when you need to sleep and say no to distractions when you need it.
There are always more tips and tricks, but ten is a good place to start. Remember, its your time and you don't get it back. What are you going to create with that time? Don't be afraid to ask for help and have fun. Its theater, if you're not having fun, you're not doing it right.
Interesting links on the subject
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/inside-the-classroom/8-ways-to-take-control-of-your-time
http://themetapicture.com/useful-tips/
Monday, August 15, 2016
The Season is Upon Us!
No...not the Holiday season, but that's coming fast too! I mean the 2016-2017 KUSD Theatrical season! What are you doing this year, you ask? Let me tell you, we are busy busy!
The season starts with E.D., a student written production that will be performed at ITHSA. Sage Holloway's piece about young people overcoming body image issues and the disorders that go with it was one of the top 5 scripts in the country last year, entered in the student playwright competition at the International Thespian Festival last year. See the show starting October 3, 2016
Do you like comic thrillers? Can't get enough of spies and damsels in distress? The 39 Steps will fix what ails you. In the Bradford Studio Oct 13, performing in rep with Dreamscape. This two person show is painfully relevant to the confusion of violence today and how fear and emotion create the conditions we all battle; but it is beautifully performed with movement and music.
Indian Trail brings the touching and honest comedy, Steel Magnolias. Filled with characters you will recognize as the women who fill your life regardless of age, come to the beauty parlor for an evening of laughter and tears Oct 20.
We are honored to have the Student Edition Premier of the musical theater classic: West Side Story at Bradford opening Oct 28.
Tremper musical theater will soften the hardest heart with the story of love and redemption. Spitfire Grill opens January 12.
Singing swashbucklers strait ahead! The Pirates of Penzance sails onto the ITHSA stage January 13, 2017. Love and treachery on the high seas in this classic musical comedy.
In January, we will have a new president. Regardless of who it will be, lets remember how we started as a country, with contentious, even violent argument and gut wrenching compromise that lay the foundation for all that is good and all that still plagues us in America today. The founding fathers lay their lives on the line in 1776, January 27, 2017.
Short attention span? No problem! Life in 10 is a seriese of 10 minute plays, storytelling and scenes at ITHSA starting February 7.
Another classic graces the Indian Trail stage in March. Hello Dolly rolls into town starting March 31.
Disney fans will be happy to know we are bringing a favorite to Bradford this year; The Hunchback of Notre Dame swings onto the stage April 28. Love, loss, and despicable villains with fantastic music.
During World War 2, amidst the horrors were heroes; in Number the Stars, the amazing story of the Danish resistance, reminds us that justice calls all of us. Would you have stood to save the innocent?
Bradford Studio, opening May 17.
Whew! What a season! Tremper will also be announcing two additional shows later in the year. Come see all of them, and visit us on FaceBook! https://www.facebook.com/groups/kusdtheaterarts/
See you in the seats!
The season starts with E.D., a student written production that will be performed at ITHSA. Sage Holloway's piece about young people overcoming body image issues and the disorders that go with it was one of the top 5 scripts in the country last year, entered in the student playwright competition at the International Thespian Festival last year. See the show starting October 3, 2016
Do you like comic thrillers? Can't get enough of spies and damsels in distress? The 39 Steps will fix what ails you. In the Bradford Studio Oct 13, performing in rep with Dreamscape. This two person show is painfully relevant to the confusion of violence today and how fear and emotion create the conditions we all battle; but it is beautifully performed with movement and music.
Indian Trail brings the touching and honest comedy, Steel Magnolias. Filled with characters you will recognize as the women who fill your life regardless of age, come to the beauty parlor for an evening of laughter and tears Oct 20.
We are honored to have the Student Edition Premier of the musical theater classic: West Side Story at Bradford opening Oct 28.
Tremper musical theater will soften the hardest heart with the story of love and redemption. Spitfire Grill opens January 12.
Singing swashbucklers strait ahead! The Pirates of Penzance sails onto the ITHSA stage January 13, 2017. Love and treachery on the high seas in this classic musical comedy.
In January, we will have a new president. Regardless of who it will be, lets remember how we started as a country, with contentious, even violent argument and gut wrenching compromise that lay the foundation for all that is good and all that still plagues us in America today. The founding fathers lay their lives on the line in 1776, January 27, 2017.
Short attention span? No problem! Life in 10 is a seriese of 10 minute plays, storytelling and scenes at ITHSA starting February 7.
Another classic graces the Indian Trail stage in March. Hello Dolly rolls into town starting March 31.
Disney fans will be happy to know we are bringing a favorite to Bradford this year; The Hunchback of Notre Dame swings onto the stage April 28. Love, loss, and despicable villains with fantastic music.
During World War 2, amidst the horrors were heroes; in Number the Stars, the amazing story of the Danish resistance, reminds us that justice calls all of us. Would you have stood to save the innocent?
Bradford Studio, opening May 17.
Whew! What a season! Tremper will also be announcing two additional shows later in the year. Come see all of them, and visit us on FaceBook! https://www.facebook.com/groups/kusdtheaterarts/
See you in the seats!
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