Producing and directing

Without doubt, this is one of the most challenging, all-consuming but fulfilling experiences I have had whilst teaching. The time, effort and discipline needed from every member of the team is so intense that my Headmaster often says that it is like running a boarding House for a term. Hats off then to those Housemasters I know that also direct school plays! It often seems that the producer has just as hard a time as the director too because drama does not always have the same status as other activities in schools. The rehearsal schedule, for example, is such a headache: booking rooms, spaces, designing the set, costumes, tickets, programmes and then the clashes and conflicting loyalties. Can we risk the rehearsals going awry because the lead actor also runs the CCF? What about sport? Do we want the lead to end up with a broken leg and black eye from rugby? Is the rugby an acceptable risk? Is it fair on the rest of the cast? If he commits to the play does will that affect whether or not he is picked for the 1st XV? That’s not fair either. Such professional disputes are just part of the course. Feeling concern for everyone’s sensitivity but tough enough to take control of the whole group and make it happen, without, of course, losing their goodwill and the sense of creative fun which is what it’s all about.