You tell me...does this make sense?

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 10:32am

The drama teacher at my school is a...well...a$$hole. First he insults me infront of a whole class and now:

He doesn't include me for anything arts related in the school, when I am one of the most interested students in the school. Today during our lunch is a meeting with the architect of our new high school regarding the auditorium. He invites all of these people who do not know a thing and does not even talk to me...not to sound full of myself, but I am probably one of the most knowledgable in that area...lighting equipment and other neccessities it needs.

Does he contact me to work on a Tsunami benefit? No. How about the 8th grade variety show? No.

At this point, I tell myself who cares? It just frustrates me so much and is one reason why I cannot wait to get out of here.

Thanks for listening.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 10:35am

Oh, and I have decided to not audition for the school musical...because of him...I cannot work with him.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 10:40am

When I went to High School (when Dinosaurs ruled the Earth!), if we had a personality conflict with one of our teachers we discussed it with our Guidance Counselor...

Sometimes it helped, sometimes not.

Do you have a Guidance Counselor, BT11?

[wildcat]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 11:22am

Oh yes, I've been there. I was always the first one to put my hand up for anything connected with theatre at high school, and everything was copasetic for a couple of years until I noticed an attitude change from a couple of the teachers, and suddenly I realised I was being deliberately excluded from every new show or reading or concert. Perhaps they thought I was getting cocky or not showing interest in anything else to the detriment of other activities, but no-one had the decency to actually sit and discuss it with me. So as a result I did what you obviously want to do, and I shot myself in the foot (metaphorically): I actively sabotaged myself by getting angry and becoming uncooperative and giving a lot of attitude and made a few enemies on the teaching staff (who had previously been my good buddies)in the process. Unfortunately this solution worked for NO-ONE, least of all me, because all these LONG years later I still feel resentful and if ever I run into one of those teachers socially or even on the street, all I ever feel is panic and embarrassment and I know this is what I'm going to be dealing with FOREVER. Do you know that wonderful Craig Carnelia song, "The Things I Learned In High School"? Well, never a truer word was written.
All I can tell you is...don't suffer this by yourself. Don't deprive yourself of potentially good experiences by blocking them out of anger and resentment. As Mary-Ethel says, talk to someone and find out what the heck is going on, because the answer might be something different to what you've assumed. You are obviously the best person for the job so put the ball in their court now. And dammit, AUDITION for the musical!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 11:53am

Listen to your Auntie Rath - you're going to come across people like this for your whole life - especially if you go into the entertainment field. What better time to learn how to deal than now?

Posted: 2/15/05 at 12:10pm

Someday I will disagree with Rath, really!

The world is full of assholes. Life really is High School with money.

If I were in your position, I'd go and talk to him. DO NOT take a confrontational attitude-- just ask if you've done something to upset or offend him. Tell him you feel hurt that you aren't involved in the things he's doing. Tell him you want a good working relationship with him and that you are ready to learn from him.

In life (as in High School) people can be intimidated by your knowledge and enthusiasm. Maybe he feared that if you were at the meeting, you'd make him look ill-informed? Or maybe he thinks that you've gone as far as you can go with him and he needs to focus on some of the slower, quieter kids.

In any case, you don't succeed by making enemies with authority figures.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 12:24pm

My High School band teacher was like that too....one of the most talented but was just kinda mean to me(at times). Anyways, audition for your school musical....your doing it for you....not for him. If the bias towards you carries over into casting and he cast you as chorus member #46, then you can always quit. But really, you'll always remember these High School Musicals....and it's one more thing to add to your resume(if not for theater auditions, then for college and scholarship applications). I think you will regret not auditioning for the musical. Also, if you do well, and he cast you as chorus member #46 his feelings may be brough to the forefront. While in the real world, if a director doesn't like you and won't cast you, it's tough luck.....in High School, well it's a potential law suit........anyways, AUDITION......btw, what musical is it anyways?????????

[ElTico68]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 12:25pm

Well said, Joe.

As a 37 year-old I still deal with this kind of bs, at work, in the theater... good advice that applies to the rest of your life.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 12:36pm

Not working on high school projects will free you up for more actual work in community/professional productions, so it's not a bad thing, really. For every show like Ain't Misbehavin' you do, send him a Thank You note for not including you in high school project so that you have more time to gain some real experience.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 3:36pm

I am not letting this stop me, don't worry. I just refuse to work with him. Trust me, I am gaining plenty of experience. This will give me the opportunity to work on another production of Little Women, The Tale of the Alergist Wife, and The Rocky Horror Show.

Updated On: 2/15/05 at 03:36 PM

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 3:40pm

BTW, as some of you know, I am an aspiring lighting designer, so not auditioning for the musical and gaining experience in the lighting dept. is better, anyways.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 3:42pm

I would go and talk to your teacher and ask him questions, just to get it off your chest since you have anger and resentment built up. Then just follow what your heart says and do what you feel is right.