AIBU to be angry at this?

[EstimationNavigation]

Went to see my kid in their drama production of wicked at a drama school they go to on a Saturday. Show day was yesterday’s and despite some children’s brilliant efforts there was a certain set of kids that would laugh throughout , talk , forget dance moves. I’m angry because I know how hard my child tries at drama and feel this may ruin it for others hard work

[drinkygin]

YABU to be angry. They’re kids doing a play, not professionals in a west end production.

[EstimationNavigation]

Sorry , forgot to add the question ‘would you say something to the coaches at the drama?’

[NuffSaidSam]

Who are you angry with?

The teacher?
The drama school?
The kids?
The parents?
Yourself?

I need more information.

[Bluntness100]

So they weren't good enough for you, or didn't try hard enough? And you wish to complain?

Righto. That'll go well. Can you video it and post a link for us all to enjoy?

[EstimationNavigation]

I don’t quite know who I’m angry with but it just bugs me that I know kids have sat there at home learning lines and dance moves a sit obviously means a lot and others stand there talking and laughing. Obviously I understand it’s not west en dot broadway and they are kids but

[FullOfJellyBeans]

I think it's slightly annoying and I can see why you're disappointed But I wouldn't take it too seriously. If your DD worked hard and enjoyed her performance that's the important thing. Assuming she doesn't want a career in drama then it's just for fun.

If she does want to to do more serious performances perhaps you could look into more serious drama schools perhaps those which require an audition. Lots of kids are going to be going to a drama school for a laugh rather than to put on a first class performance.

[FullOfJellyBeans]

Some of the replies are a bit harsh. If you commit to being in a performance you should at least learn your lines and not be disruptive by talking during the show.

[sparepantsandtoothbrush]

Some children pick things up easier than others. Genuinely forgetting lines or dance moves wouldn't bother me in the slightest. The chatting and laughing would bug me though.

[BertrandRussell]

Forgetting lines and dance moves is one thing and is the sort of thing that happens. Talking and laughing throughout is not acceptable, and I would find out whether my child might like me to try and find a different group.

[BertrandRussell]

“Lots of kids are going to be going to a drama school for a laugh rather than to put on a first class performance.”

Really? Wow.

[Jiffybags]

If it was a school production I wouldn't be too bothered but as a drama school I'd be a bit miffed by it. I assume you pay for this so I'd be expecting a bit more professionalism. What age are they?

[WorraLiberty]

You've forgotten to tell us how old they are?

[FullOfJellyBeans]

bertrand yes where I live there are quite a few drama schools. Some, if not most, are very much just for fun/social opportunitirsthe rest are for kids that really love and are good at drama. I would still expect the just for fun kids to try and learn their part and not disrupt the performance by chatting but they might not care about the final performance.

[BertrandRussell]

Actually, i’d be pretty pissed off if it was a school production- i’d Be concerned about classroom control.

If they are anything over about 7, I’d certainly expect no laughing and talking.

[EstimationNavigation]

12-16 year olds in her group. They do 3-6 , 7-11 , 12-16. So basically their age ranges are 12-16 year olds but to be fair most children in the group are school year 8 and 9 some year 7 and a few year 10s. Not any 16 year olds that I’m aware of

[BertrandRussell]

“they might not care about the final performance.”

How incredibly dispiriting.

[AllTheFours44]

YABU

Hey a grip. Seriously. It’s am dram. And kids’ am dram to boot. The aim is to have fun. Not set the drama world on fire. I’m sure your child’s hard work and commitment shone through.

I doubt anyone gives a fiddlers. Except you obviously.

[FullOfJellyBeans]

bertrand I don't think there's anything wrong with going to drama club for fun and not being that bothered about producing an amazing performance. I agree with op though out of politeness to the other performers they should put in a minimum effort and definitely not mess about during the show.

[BertrandRussell]

So you’d be happy if your kid screwed up the performance for the ones who did want to try? A 12/13/14 year old who laughed and talked through a public performance that others had rehearsed for? That’s a pretty shit attitude, frankly.

[BarbarianMum]

That wouldnt be tolerated at either the dance school or the drama group ds2 attends. A bit of messing about in rehearsals maybe, but performances are a serious business. One if the nice things abput them is how keen the kids are and how hard they work. Are there any alternatives your dd could try? The teachers must be really meh to tolerate such poor behaviour.

[EstimationNavigation]

Don’t get me wrong , I understand they’re kids but laughing and talking can distort to whole drama picture and experience for others

[EstimationNavigation]

I don’t think they necessarily tolerate it. My child says they’re like this in rehearsals and fair enough but can they not have some respect and just do it properly for the show. There wasn’t really anything to laugh at and yet they did it anyway.

[EstimationNavigation]

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[Witchend]

My dc are all involved quite heavily in various amdram groups/clubs and this wouldn't be tolerated at any of them.

It's exactly the same as turning up to watch your dc in a football match and finding half the team want to stand around chatting. It's not possible to have a good game and very disappointing for the ones who want to play their best knowing that the game is not showing.

For those who say "aw it's about having fun". It is, but part of the fun is everyone pulling together for the finished performance. If you have people not working towards that, then it isn't as fun.
Yes, during rehearsals you can have a lot of fun. I've been in rehearsals where everyone needs to sit down because they're laughing so hard (usually because something has gone wrong) then they get up and rehearse the scene properly.

[HarrySnotter]

My dc are all involved quite heavily in various amdram groups/clubs and this wouldn't be tolerated at any of them.

Nor at DD's. They all try really hard - all of them. They have such a laugh at rehearsals etc but when they do the 'real' performance they all seem to pull together and do a great job. I pay quite a lot of money every term for it so I don't really blame the OP.