Dramatic Dynamics

Drama is all about dynamics. As a drama teacher, I must learn to react to each class individually, depending on the dynamic within that class. When a dynamic changes, when relationships change, when there is an addition, a subtraction, anything like that, the plans have to change. Drama teachers have to respond to these things in a way that other teachers don't. "Academic" teachers may take for granted that the units they teach can remain basically the same year after year. I have to change my year plans based on how many students, of what gender, of what base of talent, of what previous knowledge, or based on their particular interests. It's one of the things that keeps my job interesting, and keeps me on my toes.

Of course sometimes, it can be frustrating.

I teach in a small school. I am the only Senior Drama teacher. There is only one drama class per grade in the Senior School. What that means is that when a student chooses to take Drama in Grade 9, and continues with it in subsequent years, they also continue with me, and with all the other students that have made the same choice.

Last year, I started at Glenlyon Norfolk School with a Grade 9 class of 18 students. 6 girls, 12 boys. At least 9 of these boys were extremely energetic. Some may say "difficult to handle." It took a long time, a lot of patience, a lot of work, but finally I got the class on my side. We had some very strong moments throughout the year, and ended on a very positive high. I was thrilled that I had gotten this class to a point where almost every one of them wanted to carry on with drama in Grade 10. Certainly, one of my professional goals is to increase the profile of the drama department by increasing the interest among students and retaining students year to year. One of my other goals to this end is to increase my numbers year to year. Well, I am also pleased to say that from last year to this year, after loosing only 2 students from this class (one to art, and one to another school) I have also gained 8. So my Grade 10's this year are 24. 8 girls, 16 boys. 16 of these students know each other intimately from last year, 8 of these students are just joining us.

It's not a HUGE change, but oh,how the dynamic has changed. At the end of one particulary frustrating class I sat down with them and said, "we were at a certain point at the end of last year as a class, what has changed to make us take such a huge step back?"

A few moments of awkward silence from them, and then, from one of the boys:

"I guess it's just all the new people. We're just not the same class anymore."

And I guess he hit it on the head, right? I certainly knew that was the case. I was a little thrown off that they had recognized it themselves.

Let me be clear though. The new students who have joined our class this year are superb, for the most part. In fact many of them have a definite zeal and passion for the subject. They are genuinely interested in learning more. A few of them have an obvious instinct for what we do.

So my response to the student's comments was "Why aren't we rejoicing in our new members? They've brought so much to our ensemble - it's incredible."

More silence.

I'm not exaclty sure what I'm thinking about the Grade 10 class as a whole right now. There is a lot of potential there. I hope that I am being encouraging enough to those in whom the potential sits. I hope that those with the passion and interest are able to "ride out" the rough times, and see through all the muck that sometimes creeps up in the class. (And if any of my Grade 10 students are reading this, I'm pretty sure you know which side you're on. If not, ask me tomorrow - I'll be honest with you!

I guess we've also started with a difficult unit - Improv. We a had a really good time with our Improv unit last year. It was one of our turning points as a class. I thought we would start with it this year so that we could get a good base of skills in place in preparation for our study of Commedia Del'Arte. I also figured it would start the year on a positive note.

It hasn't exactly worked for me. Maybe we weren't comfortable enough with our new ensemble to safely do the kind of Improv that I was expecting. There's a different social dynamic in the class this year. Of course, I am also pushing to move them beyond the notion that Improv is just theatre games. There are a definite set of skills and theories that an actor must understand and embrace in order to be a successful improvisor. Maybe some of them just aren't ready for that leap yet. I feel like they still want just games.

Well, if anything, the push will allow them (force them?) to make an informed decision about carrying on in my class next year, where the work becomes much more..... um..... passionate, and requires a lot more..... um...... maturity.

Well, my thoughts are in progress on this one.