School Play - Question for Teachers

[FuntoLearn]

Hi to all the Teachers out there,

How do you choose pupils for parts in a school play = ie actor (speaking part), narration, percussion, non speaking part etc.

My DD had a background part recently (just did some chorus with the rest of the class)and was dissapointed she didnt get a chance to do something more, also the same pupils got the same "big" parts as last year.

Interested to know how they are selected (she is in YR2 btw)

She wants to do something more next time - but I dont want her to annoy the teacher by asking. It donesnt matter too much to me

Thanks all...

Im not saying that my DC should get the main part, piscesmoon! just to be able to take part in a lesser role (thats all my dc wanted!), instead of being 'part of the chorus' all the while standing in the side lines.

An update from my DC's school (see page 1 for history!);

Well, the christmas play rehearsals are well under way, and guess what??!!!......the same kids as last year, and the year before, oh and the year before that have the main parts again.

I am utterly , and .

My dd 6 is very confident, loves performing, is very talkative with a good memory (The complete opposite of dh and myself who prefer to blend in with scenery!) so she had the lead role in her school play last year. I got 4 or 5 digs from other parents along the lines "Why does she always get chosen for everything?" "My dd is a much better singer than that" "It's only because you are on the pfa that she gets picked". I was so proud watching her but was also squirming a little when at the end she was curtseying and blowing kisses to the audience . Alot of the other parents know us much better now and realise it is not us pushing for the limelight. I think when they are so little it really is down to whether the children want and can carry off the main roles.

Isn't it just the way, lovecheese!!!!

Unfortunately, Kitty, yes.

My ds came home from school devastated that he did not have a part in the Christmas play. Apparently there were only 6 parts for his year group and surprise surprise they went to the usual children who always get parts. I spoke to his teacher about what my ds and the other 15 children would be going in the play & was told they would be in the choir which pleased my ds as he loves singing. Just came back from the play and low and behold, parts were found for 6 other children' whose parents are either governors or school helpers. The ones who didn't get parts, were not in the choir, they had to sit and watch there class mates perform!!!!! What ever happened to inclusion!!!!!!!!

We do a nativity each year for R/1/2. This is how we allocate parts.

Year 2: All who want to speak will have at least one line to say, even if we split up parts. The main speaking parts will go to those children who can speak loud enough to hear, will not go into meltdown on the day, will learn the part and, illness aside turn up to the performance. (remembers the time neither Mary or Joseph turned up becuse parents decided to take them on holiday from school early and not bother to let us know...). Then any year 2 who don't want to speak get given non-speaking parts. Some years this is MAry/Joseph.

Year 1: Any speaking parts left are then given to year ones, going to those again who want them/will actually do the part first.

Reception: Usually non speaking rloes such as angels/stars etc. SOmetimes there may be a line or two left...given to the confident ones.

Everyone will have a part, everyone will get to wear a costume, everyone will get to sing all songs and do actions.

When we do whole school productions every two years we audition years 5 and 6 for the parts thery want. MAin parts will be allocated to those who can speak loud enough, want them, can sing (If a singing part), will learn the part, were the most suited to the part and turn up to rehearsals and the performances. Anyone who wants a speaking part in years 5 and 6 will get one but some may be small. Those who would rather be back stage are given that (Although countless parents complain even though it is what their child has asked to do...)

Any parts left after 5/6 all have something are then given to year 4 then year 3. All other children are then given non-speaking roles. Again all will get a part, all get a costume, all get to sing and have a moment on stage.

Seems a fair way to do it - my ds is in yr 3 and it was awfull for the ones who didn't have a part, they did not even get to go on stage or get a mention at the end. My ds has bags of confidence and loves singing and dancing, but he is starting to become a bit withdrawn at school, it doesn't seem to matter how well he does, he is never given any credit by his teacher, same children get class awards every week as well and get picked for art club etc. am really considering changing his school as he is becoming so despondent

Lougle How can you say that your daughters are the ones who have never been picked for anything.
They are 3 and 4 so I think time is on their side in their life' chances of being picked for various things. Don't despair.

Our school does a great job of sharing out parts appropriately. I think the teachers do a great job of getting 90 children to perform and get them into their costumes in the half an hour between the bell going and the start of the performance.

BUT I do question who the performance is for. Sure, I enjoyed watching it but I know my two were fed up of practising day after day and they both really missed not doing PE (only one hall so PE slot goes out the window due to to rehearsals).

I would rather the children (at KS1 age at least) sing a few songs which could be practised in assembly with maybe a crown or something that they've made and stick more to the the normal routine in the run up to Christmas. Maybe even some of the talented and willing ones could do short solos or duets etc.

I hope that doesn't make me sound ungrateful. I do appreciate the efforts that the teachers and children have made in putting on the play but I just don't think it's necessary.

There are very many capable, bright, clear, confident children in my DS's class but most are overlooked as the teachers have set people they use. The children used are the ones with double the number of assembly awards - so obviously the favorite ones. They are often children whose parents are on the PTA or governors. They really out to rotate the main roles though, as a performance is not about how polished production is.

my dd year 2 had 1st speaking part this year just 1line but was chuffed. All the year 2 has speaking parts narting a couple had main parts and were very good, we new to school so not up on whos fave or who played what part last year.

but old school same girl played mary 2years runnning.
dd always had no girley part reception all the girls were angels/stars and she was 1/2 townspeople she was upset but dident feel i could say anything.

then they did midyear play once again she was moaning so i complained only to be told she said she wanted to be a beetle:(.

last year donkey, this year a star an last nativity.

juniors do end of year play which been informed they take seriously.

I do think its wrong some schools not inclusive.