Avenue Q ok for H.S. Freshmen? — Page 2

I'm with dramamama and everyone else who has made the same point - it'd be a fantastic show for the kids to see, but NOT in conjunction with the school.

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MamasDoin'Fine, It wasn't really an age restriction. It was more of a guideline. They suggested that it wasn't for kids under 12 but they weren't going to stop someone who was 12 or under from going into the theatre.

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Parents at my school got pissed off about lots of ridiculous stuff. "Thoroughly Modern Millie" was shut down because it was thought to be racist. Needless to say, gauge the parental reaction beforehand and then make your decision.

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Ok here's the OP--I'll tell you all what happened in school today.
I met with the freshmen club and they talked me into SA. By lunchtime the juniors had heard about it, and they raised hell--because last year I told them that as sophomores they were too young to see it. One of the juniors had a freshmen brother and said "You told me all those reasons why freshmen aren't old enough to see it." And that right there pretty much convinced me. Tomorrow, I will switch the trip back to "Chicago." However, the juniors were so mad, they guilted me into planning a separate SA trip for them!

This thread has been crazy because I can say I pretty much agree with all the posters, which of course meant that I went back and forth on my decision.

But somebody just mentioned how SA or Ave Q shouldn't be connected with a school trip. I totally see where youre coming from, but there are some extenuating circumstances here.

First, my school: its a 120-year-old catholic high school in the inner city with 97% of our students receiving free or reduced-price lunches. The majority of our 230 students have the tuition paid (the lowest in the state of NJ) through the Inner-City scholarship fund. The average reading level of incoming freshmen is 3rd grade, and the average math level is 2nd grade. Only a handful of the kids come from 2parent households--many kids have siblings, uncles, cousins etc in gangs or in prison. The girls try to stay college bound but most of the boys can either be 1.rapper 2.NBA 3.drug dealer. I know it sounds like a bad Lifetime movie but that's how it is at my school.

Soooooooooooooooo

I started a Cultural Club where I could take 7 of the kids at a time (thats how many fit in the van) to NYC on Friday nights, and take them to B-way shows, museums, etc and to dinner and to fun things (espn zone, bowling ice skating etc) The trips arent so much about seeing art and all that as they are about teaching kids the basics (so many of their parents are so young themselves, they just dont always teach them the basics) So they learn stuff like not shouting at waiters, or to use garbage cans in public, or to not curse and take seats from old ladies on the subway, and of course, to not use their phones at a theater!

So, sometimes, with all that crap to deal with, I don't always think about if these parents will mind some tawdry stuff in shows like Ave Q or SA. On one hand the parents have enough to worry about, and will probably be thrilled that their kids get to do something so rare, but yeah there may be some who would be upset about the content. Its really crazy to see a 15-year-old who has grown up 20 minutes from Manhattan but he's never seen Times Square.

Bottom line is, I'm taking the frosh to Chicago, and I'm taking the juniors to SA. If SA or Ave Q announce a closing date before June, I'll reconsider taking the frosh to see them before they close.

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Yeah these kids have nowhere to go but up, that's why its so hard to turn them down---even if it means I gotta pay for half their tickets---and on my catholic school salary! grrrr : )

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I have nothing to add to this topic, but I would just like to thank george95 on behalf of society for doing such a wonderful thing.

I am a high school teacher and last year I took my kids to see 5 shows in three days last year-all years of high school-ages 14 to 18. We saw A A Chorus Line, The Color Purple, Spring Awakening, Chicago and Hairspray. Without a doubt they all loved S.A. the best because it really spoke to them, and the music is totally of their time.

This year's trip we are seeing August: Osage County, Pal Joey, Gypsy, Billy Elliot and In The Heights.

Oh, and every single show is discounted. August is the most expensive at $85 a seat I think. Broadway.com has a really great group sales department.

Every kid is different so you can't really say a certain show is good for a certain age group. It depends on the kids and their level of maturity. My kids can handle anything like adults, so there is no question about seeing things-we see what is good.

Oh and I forgot to mention that I have parents of the kids on the trip as chaperons. No one bats and eyelash-not even the sex scene in S.A. You'd be surprised how open minded people are when it comes to theatre as opposed to movies and other entertainment outlets. Theatre is art.

Updated On: 10/21/08 at 07:59 PM

I think it's great that you started that group! SA and Avenue Q will unfortunately probably be closing before June though

Have you even talked to your adminstation? I would.

A CATHOLIC SCHOOL going to see SA?

I know teachers that have gotten fired from a HELL OF A LOT LESS! Besides: who's running the asylum...you or the kids?

I'm hoping to bring my students to August but am sending a letter of notification home due to the mature themes and language, giving anyone the opportunity to drop out if they chose to. My admin has backed me on this. I have their blessing.

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I'm an eighth grader and avenue q would be totaly be fine but make sure they have parental permission and explain to them what the show is about.