[TPIN] Adults playing in student productions

[Jerry Cerchia]

I have a more basic question....
Assuming that you are of the beliefs stated below, and want it to a "student
only' led production, AND assuming that you KNOW the performance level
abilities of your students, Why would you even think of bringing in a score
that is over their heads and NOT bring in stronger players ?( seriously, how
many high school players could easily navigate West Side Story?) While I
understand the need to challenge the students, aren't we setting them up to
fail, unless you supplement the pit with more seasoned players?( Or don't
choose an aggressively difficult show) My belief, is this is why there are
"compromises" when these shows are staged. More is bitten off than they can
chew, and to pull the thing off, they usually need stronger players. My two
cents and from all the pits I've sat in over the years. Jerry

-----Original Message-----
From: tpin-bounces at tpin.okcu.edu [mailto:tpin-bounces at tpin.okcu.edu] On
Behalf Of David Arndt
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2007 12:08 PM
To: 'Andy Del'; 'Dave Lee'; 'Rich Szabo'; tpin at tpin.okcu.edu;
Vaxtrpts at aol.com
Subject: RE: [TPIN] Adults playing in student productions

Andy's comments hit at the heart of the issue, IMO.

I would sum it up this way:  

  The *goal* is a successful educational experience for ALL the kids
involved.

If this principle guides your choices, you can't go too far wrong.

You want to use the kids as much as possible for everything: The acting,
dancing, singing, orchestra, tech crews, set construction, admission sales,
etc.   

But... The experience *has* to be pleasurable for the audience and the kids
involved.  The kids will gauge their success to some degree based on how the
audience recieves it - and you cannot fool high school kids into thinking it
was "good" if it wasn't.  

So... If the orchestra parts can be convered successfully by the kids alone,
just use the kids.  If the kids would end up *failing* because the parts are
too much for them.  

For example, maybe you've got a very talented young 1st trumpeter who just
needs another year or two to be able to handle the parts along, but can't
right now - so bring in a good ringer to sit next to him... And turn it into
a success on BOTH the performance *and* educational front, instead of
"breaking" the poor kid in front of his friends and family.

Common sense should guide the choices, not dogma.

Cheers,

- Dave



-----Original Message-----
From: tpin-bounces at tpin.okcu.edu [mailto:tpin-bounces at tpin.okcu.edu] On
Behalf Of Andy Del
Sent: Friday, March 30, 2007 5:09 PM
To: 'Dave Lee'; 'Rich Szabo'; tpin at tpin.okcu.edu
Subject: RE: [TPIN] Adults playing in student productions

There are times to let the kids cut loose and do their best, but also some
times where it isn't in their interest to beat themselves up.

W

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