Connecticut high school students rise up after principal halts productions of RENT

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 2:32pm

This kind of stuff makes me sick.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 2:50pm

WHAT makes you sick? That students are trying to stand up for themselves? That the principal has agreed to continue to look into the matter? Or just that kids were told "no"? Because that is NOT the only thing the link showed.

If the principal thinks it's inappropriate, it is his/her job & right to say no. Just because the kids have their heart set on something, doesn't mean the school or community has to give them what they want.

Do I agree? Not necessarily, but different communities have different standards.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 2:59pm

I have always wondered how shows at high schools get cast, start rehearsals, and THEN are told no. I know at my high school the teacher consulted the principal before even announcing what the play/musical would be.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 3:04pm

The only stupid part is that the musical was approved for production first, then stopped.

Musicals and plays are denied production all the time in pubic schools---everything from Joseph and the Amazing ... to Hair, to Sweeney Todd, to Godspell, Jesus Christ Superstar, etc. And way too many straight plays to mention.

At this point, it's getting difficult to sing Christmas carols in a winter concert, and the way around it is to include all other religions in the program.

There are just as many liberals as conservatives objecting to public school arts productions, for different reasons and justifications.

My big problem is that the scrutinizing should be done carefully and in advance to avoid such widespread disappointment as this.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 3:07pm

I have several friends who teach theatre on the high school level, and they are required to submit and often "pitch" their show ideas before they are approved by the school for production. There's more tap dancing going on behind the scenes than ever was seen on a high school stage.

But as an administrator, you don't stop the production AFTER it was approved unless you failed to do your job satisfactorily in the first place.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 3:18pm

Besty, I don't know which article was linked to in this thread but it must not give the full story: the teacher who has been directing/producing the shows there for the last 17 years has *never* had to receive approval from administration. She had chosen RENT in August before this new principal (it's his first year) even started his job. The principal didn't even know the protocol.

Here is a great, accurate, in-depth feature from Howard Sherman which includes the theatre teacher recounting her conversation with the Principal: http://www.hesherman.com/2013/11/29/how-to-defend-your-high-school-musical/

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 3:21pm

It doesnt' sound as if rehearsals or even auditions have begun...it's slated for the spring. Additionally, this is a first year principal, it's possible that he was never approached for approval, or a parent complained and that's the first it was brought to his attention.

I've done plenty of "controversial" titles...and my first step is to ALWAYS talk to my admin and let them know exactly what's what. Without support, I'd lose my job. It's precisely because I go to my admin FIRST with full disclosure that my principal always has my back.

[Kad]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 3:23pm

It's shocking to me that they never needed approval. I want to a super liberal arts high school, and even there the productions needed approval from the program director and the school administration.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 3:28pm

Kad, Trumbull is a fairly liberal town and this teacher had been there almost two decades. I'm sure the standard protocol is to receive approval but whoever was there before this new principal didn't seem to follow it, I guess.

I have some family in Connecticut and they are aware of this story. But it's not this huge, explosive scandal that Gingerbreadman or BroadwayWorld are trying to make it out to be. It was just a poor decision. Although I am certainly not defending the principal, as I do think it is the wrong decision, I get it. It's his first year there. Unfortunately, his extreme caution backfired. I imagine he will reverse the decision eventually.

ETA: I strongly encourage everyone to read the Howard Sherman piece linked in my previous post for the full and accurate story. Updated On: 11/29/13 at 03:28 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 3:35pm

All Angel and Collins do is hug,

[trentsketch]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 4:03pm

It doesn't say casting has started, but it's not uncommon for high schools to audition in November for productions in March or even April. The one I'm working for this year will have their April production cast before winter break in three weeks. Then they'll rehearse for three months and have their show in April. Teachers like to add in more time in the rehearsal process because high school students tend to have a lot of conflicts and aren't used to long rehearsals. You can break the process down over a longer period of time to cut back on students quitting and parents complaining that the rehearsals are too long.

The good part is the principal saying he will actually look into the matter. If they're anything like the ones I've worked with before, just saying Rent elicits an immediate "No" response. They won't even read the script because it's the musical about the gays and the AIDS and the transsexuals and druggies and blah blah blah. I've heard good things about the HS edition but I would personally have no interest in being involved in an edited version of that show. The educational value is in the subject matter and removing stuff people might find objectionable takes a toll on the work. There's a difference between simplified arrangements like in the Sweeney Todd or Les Mis school editions and the scorched earth method in Rent and Avenue Q. The latter change the context of the show by omission; the former make it easier for young performers to explore musicals with minor alterations for skill level.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 4:22pm

"The educational value is in the subject matter and removing stuff people might find objectionable takes a toll on the work. "

The educational edition does not remove any major subject matter. It simplifies the show and removes the raciest moments of the show that could be deemed as gratuitous, while still ensuring that the youngsters have an opportunity to learn from an important and worthwhile experience. It seems you don't even really know the difference between the two versions, so I'm not sure how your criticism is fair. I'd rather more kids have this important educational experience and miss out on a few cuss words and gratuitous sexual references, than not doing it at all.

Posted: 11/29/13 at 5:42pm

I know it's an unpopular stance but I do NOT approve of High Schools doing shows like Rant. I think High schools should do good musicals

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 5:48pm

{snicker}

I have no problem with choices being made. Truth be told, my principal asked why we'd not yet done the show - I told here the truth: I can't stand it.

[trentsketch]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 6:32pm

Liza's Headband, I read the libretto when it was first available, so it's been years since I've seen it. I apologize if I somehow misrepresented the content in the script.

I do remember attending a teacher's workshop where another director was bragging about how the script let him basically hide that Angel and Collins were even in a relationship because the script says they don't have to do anything other than hug one time. I walked away when he started talking about having Joann and Maureen just be friends because why not? I've had my students who've seen the HS version at various schools tell me they've seen Angel played as a girl the entire time, including in the initial introduction and in the hospital scene. One even had Angel played by a biological girl performing as a woman the entire way through. That flexibility in hiding homosexuality from the narrative concerns me. Losing Contact and the cursing isn't that big a deal; losing the most unconventional relationship in the show does.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 7:01pm

But the things you discuss were DIRECTORIAL in nature, not the script. People misinterpret (purposely and otherwise) all material. Those same people find no problem with altering the intent. (which goes against the rights and royalites agreement.)