To Dread Nativity Plays

[thebird]

Just how do teachers decide who is Joseph/Mary/Narrators? Seems like the same old faces to me every year!

[QueenofAllWildThings]

When my son was in preschool we got to choose what we wanted our child to be. First year I chose shepherd, second it was king. Of course there were hundreds of angels and about five Marys!

[thebird]

DD is distraught at being a shepherd again this year. Really wanted to be a narrator :(

[SpikyBinkle]

I think this is all too common. It is tricky - teachers try to find children with audible voices and sometimes the ability to read. Having said that, I believe in the power of drama to build confidence and to motivate all children so if you come to one of my nativity plays be prepared to not understand a word that is said

[onceamai]

When I was 5 I was chosen for Mary - because my dad was jewish . Still remember the lovely blue shawl over my head though and I was so proud.

DS could have had a solo as a christmas decoration once but at 6 he refused to wear tights - point blank - so they put him in the band.

[thebird]

Or perhaps a lottery for those who wish to participate in certain roles avoididing the same people being picked and others sndering why

[thebird]

sorry....wondering why they have been left on the sidelines again

[NoahAndTheWhale]

DS is inevitably a narrator. Seeing as he is narrator 5 this year I suspect there are many narrators :)

DD is in reception (hooray i get both children in one play as DS is in year 2) and and is a Little Star. Apart from needing to work out how to attach tinsel to her costume (in whatever way we want :)) all seems good.

I love Christmas plays actually

[SpikyBinkle]

We do choose different children each year for our productions and of course it's no surprise that the quieter, shy kids are often the stars of the show.

[RiverOfSleep]

DS would hate to be anything prominent in a play. I fully expect to see the same children in 'lead roles' because they were well cast last year. It's a play not a popularity contest. They do all get to do something though.

[PaisleyLeaf]

I LOVE the nativity play.
And DD is just thrilled to be a part of it. It's not occurred to her to be jealous of who's got what part.
But she's only 6. Perhaps all the being 'distraught' etc happens later.

[mumtoabeautifulbabyboy]

Sometimes the same children do get picked for main roles, this is usually because for these children it may be 'their moment'. They may not be good a maths or sports etc but drama is where they shine. They should be given the oportunity to shine if this is their area in the same way thet the sporty children are the ones picked for school teams.
There is also pressure on teachers from parents to make the nativity moving, special etc. This will only happen if the children can actually be heard, so there are some limitations on the children you can pick for key roles.
Most teachers ask the children what types of roles they want - these are often not the same as parents would choose for them.

Believe me, the production of the infant nativity is often a thankless task for teachers who put a huge amount of effort into it and know that there are going to be many parents who won't be happy unless their LO is Mary!
YANBU but know that teachers dread it too!

[piscesmoon]

This is the third thread about this in the last few days. I am sure that if the teacher picked the names out of a hat people would still say it was unfair!

[piscesmoon]

I love them. I don't think that it is important which part my DCs had-they were part of the whole.

[PyramidofScotcheggs]

The blondest cutest gets to be it, apparently.

I once didn't go to the play, I was flamed.

I've been flamed more than once actually, but that was the worst.

[onimolap]

You probably need to choose a confident child with a clear voice to do whichever part has the opening line, and so that might mean a a choice from "the same few". But worth it because if there's a good start it's so much easier for everyone else to shine.

[piscesmoon]

People make the assumption that all DCs want to be centre stage-as a DC I wanted to be the back line of the chorus! My DCs are somewhat similar.

[jojo43]

I am casting/directing our Christmas play this year (pre-school). Everyone gets a part. It is really difficult trying to please the parents, but also knowing the children well- we know who will crumble on the day and not "perform" in front of mummy/daddy. I have at least 13 Angels, no-one wants to be the camel, the shepherds can't take directions.......think yourselves lucky you only have to watch it!!!!

[PyramidofScotcheggs]

Confident with clear voice=Gobby and blonde, able to shout.

C'mon, we all know that some kids get picked over others.
Not many Marys are dark haired.


I always had a part, because in those days you could pick the loudest!

[SpikyBinkle]

jojo I'm on mat leave and glad to have a break from it, although I love to watch them. Last year we made the donkey the star and had several children play the character.

[jojo43]

I'm already on my second "lead". She has not been to nursery the last 2 days, I am worried as we perform it on 9th Dec! My Mary is Indian, Joseph sucks his thumb a lot! I have all but lost my voice from a cold/constant practising! They all want to do it when we rehearse, but it's a different story on the day!!

[HeavenForfend]

Dd1 (in year 2) tells me that her teacher asked who wanted a speaking role and chose them from the volunteers.

Speaking role means one of the narrators, basically. It's a year group of 90, so most parts are non-speaking.