If a student wants to drop, he or she is going to drop. Rather than convince them to stay if they don't want to, I try to look for a reason why (overextended/too much workload in other classes, pressure from family, dissatisfaction with the part, personal issues within the cast), and that tends to dictate my response. If it is something from outside, like a family situation or being overextended, then I will let the student know that I respect that the decision is out of his or her hands and he or she will be welcome to audition for another show in the future if the situation changes. If a student drops due to dissatisfaction, I will let him or her know there are consequences and not to audition for the next show.
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Robert Ellis
Theater I-IV Honors
Performing Arts Department Lead
Cosby High School
Midlothian, VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-11-2019 23:10
From: Sonja Brown
Subject: Dealing with students who want to drop
I'd like to know what others have said to students who want to drop from shows. How do you convince them to stay true to their commitment?
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Sonja Brown, Theatre Teacher
Thespian Troupe 839
Galt High School
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