artsamore-
You are absolutely correct- this is not a discussion of world politics, nor is it an NPR forum. So if you would not like your comments to be criticized with absurd generalizations, perhaps you should try to keep absurd generalizations out of your criticism (ie: "There is really nothing worse! There are many shows out there that schools can do that would be educational and challenge the students without being idiotic and laughable production."). And unless you are some sort of HS theatre connoisseur, I don't understand why you are so passionate about the quality of HS shows; heaven forbid you should have to sit through one! Afterall, it isn't what the kids get out of the shows, or what they learn about influential and historical theatre, it's whether or not artsamore could give it a nice write-up in the local newspaper.
And I do not believe you could learn the same things from simply researching and discussing a show in class, as opposed to performing the show and having a chance to do character analysis, scene study, and performance. That's like saying you could learn to sing from listening to tapes and talking about it, rather than learning with a teacher and going out and singing to people. I know it must sound good on paper to be able to just absorb the theatrical experience from a compact disc and a text book, but unfortunately that's not how it works.
And I WAS the belle of the ball in my high school, but thankfully I've moved on to bigger and better things. There's no need to be jealous of that. I'm sure you opened and closed the curtain to rave reviews, pumpkin.
I hold a degree in Musical Theatre from Montclair State University. It is useless. Now I'm funny for money. Oh, and I sing.
