To think drama teachers should be supportive

[Chambon]

DD did not appear at curtain call last night at local drama club production but was found changed and hiding. Was very angry and upset cos drama teacher had told her off after last scene saying she was overacting and stealing the show. Dd was told earlier to give it her all. Now confused and upset. This is first time she has done a drama performance and has put in loads hard work to learn a long part. Now is inconsolable and confused. I have no experience of drama. Should she suck it up or should I have word with teacher. She is 10.

drama performances are a harsh environment, with instructions and feedback flying round with no time for softness and diplomacy. She is very young to cope with this. Now it is over, hopefully you can ask the teacher to sit down and explain a bit more gently to her, what she did well, and why the teacher came across as hard on the night, and to encourage her.

At 10 she doesn't need to be told off like that, even if she was overacting. But was she?

Talked with Dd about stress of running a show - she has plenty of experience from dance shows and managed to calm her with the analogy. I don't think she was over acting- the part was miss trunchbull. I think she just over reacted. But was cross that she was confused by the teacher so will probably mention it once the show is over and stress levels have subsided.......

Was she told off or was it a misunderstanding? If the director doesn't know your child that well is it possible that he/she may have misjudged how best to communicate?

Will ask director once over I'm sure she didn't mean to cause distress

I teach drama to 10 year olds. From what you've said there it sounds like vague, contradictory comments from the teacher so I think its definitely worth asking them to explain it to her, especially if you think this might put your daughter off doing any more drama.

Personally I wouldn't tell someone off during a show unless they were purposefully doing something dangerous/trying to spoil it for others/clearly playing up etc. This sounds like it should have been dealt with in rehearsals, not during the performance. I would expect a certain amount of playing up from children performing because it's exciting. I wouldn't necessarily expect a ten year old that hasn't performed before to understand quick/offhand comments about overacting/give it your all - sounds confusing to me!

I think totallybewildered is correct in that some drama performances are like that, but I don't think they have to be. Drama groups all have a different way of balancing the interests of a good show with having fun, making friends, learning new things; in my experience every teacher/group is different. Some groups want an amazing show and the experience of the performers isn't as important, some groups are all about the experience and might not even work towards a show, and there's everything in between.

Thank you for such helpful advice. We will ask drama teacher to clarify and not make a big drama out of this!! Dd has worked v hard at it and I don't want her to be put off as she has achieved a lot.

Yeah there's no need for her to be pt off - it's probably just miscommunication like merrymouse said :)