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Original poster

WWYD/What would you think if this happened?

40 replies

EvilTwins · 09/02/2014 19:23

I need advice from strangers Grin

I'm a drama teacher. Doing school play next week. I'm obviously very involved, and so I need an outsider's perspective.

Two girls have been quite lax in their attitude towards rehearsals. We have had 4 full day rehearsals at weekends (I know - it's a lot to expect) and they have been very well attended. Where cast members have let me know in advance that they can't attend weekend rehearsals (for example if they spend weekends with NR parent) then I have been very understanding. Today was a really important rehearsal - the show is next week. Two girls didn't turn up. One emailed to tell me that she wasn't feeling well, but this is on the back of emailing yesterday to say that she had a "dance thing" and so would be late. Last time we had a Sunday rehearsal, the same girl emailed on the morning of the rehearsal to say that she had a dentist appointment (on a Sunday?) The others told me today that it was a lie (which I'd figured out already...) The second girl just didn't show up. She told one of the others to tell me she had to "go somewhere".

I am very sympathetic usually, as many of my students have complex lives. However, I think it's unfair to the others, who have put in so much commitment, to allow these two to continue, and obviously I'm also worried that they won't know what they're doing in the performances because they've missed so much important rehearsal.

So - I need opinions. What would you do if you were me, and how would you feel if one of these girls was your DD, and was asked to leave the play two days before opening night?

OP posts:
MuttonCadet · 09/02/2014 19:50

I'd get rid of them, as long as it wouldn't impact on the rest of the chorus.

And absolutely call their parents (although I expect that they're colluding in it).

morethanpotatoprints · 09/02/2014 19:50

Hello EvilTwins

I know you work hard and really enjoy your work as I remember other threads, so please don't think me awful for saying this as I have a lot of respect for your commitment.

Why on earth have you arranged rehearsals for weekend? There must be many who have other commitments and have had to choose between the two.
It's not just those who see a nr parent, and I can why the one who dances may have had to have put that first.
I know they should be committed once they have agreed to this, but maybe in future rehearsals during the week would be fairer for all.
I wonder how many weren't involved because they knew that rehearsals would fall at the weekend.
Unless I have read your posts incorrectly, this is a normal not specialist school isn't it?
Sorry I don't agree with you but you wanted strangers answers and as a parent my dd would have been fulfilling her usual obligations at the weekend.

Bowlersarm · 09/02/2014 19:47

Well, it's only my opinion as I'm not a teacher and my kids aren't into drama so i'm unsure of drama etiquette, but they don't deserve to be in the production. They haven't worked for it, contributed when they should, so why should they benefit from it when all their classmates have?

Picturesinthefirelight · 09/02/2014 19:47

I run drama classes & have had this happen. One of the girls broke down in years as she realised we'd had to reset a scene for some reason & she had no idea what she was doing.

I'm also the parent of a young actress/dancer. Dd never commits to things she can't do. She probably would not have done your school play as her weekends were already commuted to dance class/other show rehearsals. I would be annoyed if the weekend rehearsals had been announced done time down the line.

ApplySomePressure · 09/02/2014 19:43

I'm a Drama teacher and would also remove them.

MrsSquirrel · 09/02/2014 19:41

I agree, they haven't shown the commitment, missed too many rehearsals and should not be in the show. No need to phone the parents IMO, just tell the girls.

Floggingmolly · 09/02/2014 19:39

I'd remove them without a second thought. In fact this happened to some students in DD's LAMDA class recently. The one's who put the effort in were relieved actually, especially as they take group exams; so are dragged down by the ones who don't rehearse properly.

Original poster
EvilTwins · 09/02/2014 19:37

There's loads of glory in the chorus Wink

Being part of the ensemble is really important. The whole show hangs on it. I've been saying that for MONTHS Grin

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 09/02/2014 19:34

There's hardly a lot of glory in the 'chorus ' Grin

Just don't use them next year for main parts, do the whole 'I'm very disappointed', contact their parents etc

Clobbered · 09/02/2014 19:31

Just read your last post. No brainer. Phone the parents and sack them. They have let everyone down and need to learn the lesson and you need to be seen to do the right thing by everyone else who has made the effort.

Clobbered · 09/02/2014 19:31

Ah, just read your last post. Definitely phone the parents and sack them, no discussion.

Morgause · 09/02/2014 19:30

I'm a drama teacher and I'd remove them. They showed no commitment and lied.

Clobbered · 09/02/2014 19:29

Speak to the parents? I'd be pointing out that they made a commitment to be in this production and that they are letting everyone else down with their attitude. It sends a bad message to the other kids if you let this go.

disclaimer currently struggling with a situation involving badly behaved kids that no-one is prepared to take a stand about and it's driving me insane!!

Original poster
EvilTwins · 09/02/2014 19:28

They're in the chorus, so could be removed without any fuss.

I am not convinced they'll pull it together, but my biggest concern is how it would make the others feel, who've put in 8 hour days over the last two weekends, if the two who couldn't be bothered to turn up still get the same glory as them. I would be pissed off if it was me.

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 09/02/2014 19:26

Are they the type to pull it together at the end?

Surely it's too late to recruit someone else unless there's an understudy ?