What can't I do with my Grade Nines?

My Grade Nines created characters to play.
They weren't all that different at the end of the day.
I've seen them all before, nothing really new
A hippie, a druggie, an air hostess too.

They started writing monologues, they all took great care
They studied, they wrote, they tried to find some flare
My peer tutor helped them to find their own voice
And they all did there best to justify their choice.

Then something happened, something insane.
Something I've not seen, nor might not again.
They fought to get onstage, one after the other.
"I'm going first." "No, I'm going first." "Me" "No, me" No, me" Oh, brother.

But no, it was great. There's a magic to this class.
They love each other, support each other, every lad and lass.
And the performances were fabulous
I'm not sure I can rhyme fabulous

The performances were stunning, truly, a treat
As each performer to the stage, they didn't miss a beat
When they were all said and done, three days through and through
I looked at them and said, "Seriously, what CAN'T I do with you?"

Well done Nines. You have impressed me yet again.

A whole lot of everything

I have been a terrible role model. I have made a terrible example. Please forgive me. This blog has been seriously neglected. I will not make excuses, because, let's face it, I wouldn't take excuses from students who don't keep up. But I'll tell you something. This endeavour has let me understand even further how difficult it can be for my darling students to journal.

So, what do I say?
I have so much to say.

Um.... our show is done. That's why I've fallen behind I guess. I have alwasy prided myself on my ability to remain calm and poised throughout the production process, including tech week and production week. In fact, my colleagues marvelled last year, at the fact that I held myself together in a way that other drama teachers had perhaps not done.

But here's the truth. I was wiped this time 'round. I didn't really notice it at the time, and I thought I was doing pretty well. But after our final Saturday, I crashed. Sunday night - in bed by 7:00 PM. Slept through the night. The whole week following, slept like a baby. Now, I'm starting to feel some real energy again with my classes, and it has made me realize exactly how sapped I was in those final weeks.

Okay, granted, this show offered whole new levels of stress to me. I've never worked with so many mics... Argh! We used more lights that any show at our school ever has, and of course, a fog-machine. And... well... the more "stuff" you include, the more there is to worry about. The more can go wrong.

And go wrong it does.

Stupid clocks! Go ahead, ask me about the clocks. I'll tell you why I'll never use working clocks in a show again.

And hey, doesn't it seem logical that a Director should become slightly stressed when in the middle of the cue to cue, and two hours before our only technical rehearsal, the power goes out in the theatre? It was not a great afternoon, as my SM and her assistants called our cast to tell them that our 5 hour rehearsal was cancelled.

Don't get me wrong... we "weathered the storm" - literally. And my cast came through, as I knew they would.

And, of course, the show was a success. Three sold out performances! Great! Great feedback from everyone. Great!

Now, show's done, strike's mostly done, and everyone has moved on.

I think I'll invite the cast and crew to a movie night in the theatre when our DVD is ready. I know they miss each other. I miss them too.

I have a lot more to say, but I think I'll do it in another post.