Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Getting boys involved?? School play

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Majicwrench
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Topic: Getting boys involved?? School play
Posted: 12/02/10 at 11:27pm

I do a theatre project with a local school (thru 8th grade) every spring, and have a terrible time getting the young men to turn out. While I have a great time with the girls, and occasionally have them take male roles, I would love to see more young men in the productions. Any good ideas??

Actually, any ideas, they don't need to be that good

Keith

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JoeMc
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Posted: 12/03/10 at 11:44pm

Best of luck Kieth I feel your no orpan there, as it's indicative of nearly all Comeatres everywhere.

Although the Men's project has started to work here & to bear fruit's, oops!

It certainly has increased the 'Y' factor in a few groups thus far & introducing them to the call of the Lime light ;- Read the full story here you may be able to modify it to your local situation.

This may or not help at least it's worth a go, have you contacted your local Cub Scout Pack [I think you call them Weebelos?] Even if you can line it up with the Scout Leaders for wee 'Brussel Sprouts' to gain thier 'Entertainers Badge' or even your try local junior footy club?

Edited by JoeMc - 12/05/10 at 12:12am

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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Nyria
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Posted: 12/16/10 at 2:19pm

I've found it has a lot to do with the play you are doing. Find out what the boys in yor school think is cool.

Things really turned around for me when we did Grease - the guys wanted to be involved =)

NYRIA

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Majicwrench
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Posted: 12/16/10 at 9:19pm

Ohh good idea, a little questionaire.... thanks to both of ya!

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TonyDi
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Posted: 12/17/10 at 7:36am

Getting BOYS involved in theater - pay them, feed them, cast the hottest looking girls you can. That really brings out the boys - I'm NOT kidding. I wish I were but when you have a decided lack of young men who are interested, the next best thing is to appeal to what they would be interested in like FOOD, FUN and good looking girls. Sad that it HAS to be like that to a great degree - unless you're just plain lucky, have them by the short hairs (meaning you teach an enforced drama class and they HAVE to be involved) or have a way to otherwise coerce them to do it. Once in, they often find they're having a blast. HAS to be fun and entertaining to them as well. I know it sounds silly and sexist - but it's the facts all too often (and I've seen it work well as a result) but should not have to be that way - I understand. Tough row to hoe that's for sure.

TonyDi

"Almost famous"

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Theatermama
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Posted: 12/27/10 at 9:31pm

Do you have a choir that has boys? Go after those boys, they are artistic type folks. Do you have any boys involved - they can often get their friends to do it with them. We did a haunted house for our first event one year when I was the drama coach and boys really like acting in that and then you have them hooked.

I have 3 boys and all do theater and have since they were quite young. They often help me recruit other boys. If you also have adult men who are involved it won't look so girlish as well.

Agree - depends on what you are doing and who is involved and food certainly helps.

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Majicwrench
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Posted: 12/28/10 at 1:21pm

Food, I have that down pat, learned from a master. Always bring food.

Hot girls, yup got some of those. Will keep pluggin away. But it is hard to pick shows when sometimes...like last spring....no boys show up .

Thanks for the suggestions!

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Theatermama
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Posted: 12/28/10 at 1:33pm

You might also try precasting a few boys for key roles to see if you can find what you need before auditions.

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KEB54
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Posted: 1/01/11 at 2:24am

My wife directs HS theatre. She is not a teacher, just a staff member contracted to direct plays.

She takes a genuine interest in the kids and gets lots of parents involved. She also helps out with make-up, costumes, props, etc. for school functions such as prom etc. She tries to make the theatre an asset for the entire school population not just the "theatre kids". She has drawn in a lot of kids as audience members, and eventually participants.

Anyway, as far as boys, one of the great things she did was meet with the sports coaches. She asked what she could do for them and to make sure the theatre wasn't "stepping on their toes". As it turned out, both the basketball and football coaches were very supportive. Both enjoyed going to plays when in college. They had't thought about HS plays but started going once my wife took the time with them. When the coaches are supportive it makes it easier for the boys to get involved.

Then one of the basketball players auditioned. My wife met with his coach to make sure everything was cool and wound up getting a newspaper article about both their programs and their cooperation. More boys started auditioning after that.

The Athletic/Activity Director, who oversees both sports and theatre, is very happy. Now they often sell out their 600-seat theatre and theatre is an income producer.

KEB

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Spectrum
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Posted: 1/01/11 at 11:20am

WOW! Thanks for the story of how your wife does it, KEB54. That's how education is SUPPOSED to work. I think the key phrase in your story is "She takes a genuine interest in the kids and gets lots of parents involved." All too often these days, the "educators" coming out of colleges have the attitude, "If I'm not being PAID to do it, I'm not doing it." I've also observed way too many parents have abdicated their responsibility as parents. The fact that your wife breaks that nonsense up and pulls people in is refreshing to read about. Congratulations, and WELL DONE!

Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.

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Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Other Topics

Author	Message
Majicwrench Celebrity Joined: 2/07/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 178	Topic: Getting boys involved?? School play Posted: 12/02/10 at 11:27pm
	I do a theatre project with a local school (thru 8th grade) every spring, and have a terrible time getting the young men to turn out. While I have a great time with the girls, and occasionally have them take male roles, I would love to see more young men in the productions. Any good ideas?? Actually, any ideas, they don't need to be that good Keith

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JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 12/03/10 at 11:44pm
	Best of luck Kieth I feel your no orpan there, as it's indicative of nearly all Comeatres everywhere. Although the *Men's project* has started to work here & to bear fruit's, oops! It certainly has increased the 'Y' factor in a few groups thus far & introducing them to the call of the Lime light ;- Read the full story here you may be able to modify it to your local situation. This may or not help at least it's worth a go, have you contacted your local Cub Scout Pack [I think you call them Weebelos?] Even if you can line it up with the Scout Leaders for wee 'Brussel Sprouts' to gain thier 'Entertainers Badge' or even your try local junior footy club? Edited by JoeMc - 12/05/10 at 12:12am
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
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Nyria Celebrity Joined: 1/20/05 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 157	Posted: 12/16/10 at 2:19pm
	I've found it has a lot to do with the play you are doing. Find out what the boys in yor school think is cool. Things really turned around for me when we did Grease - the guys wanted to be involved =)
	NYRIA
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Majicwrench Celebrity Joined: 2/07/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 178	Posted: 12/16/10 at 9:19pm
	Ohh good idea, a little questionaire.... thanks to both of ya!
	IP Logged

TonyDi Celebrity Joined: 9/13/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 325	Posted: 12/17/10 at 7:36am
	Getting BOYS involved in theater - pay them, feed them, cast the hottest looking girls you can. That really brings out the boys - I'm NOT kidding. I wish I were but when you have a decided lack of young men who are interested, the next best thing is to appeal to what they would be interested in like FOOD, FUN and good looking girls. Sad that it HAS to be like that to a great degree - unless you're just plain lucky, have them by the short hairs (meaning you teach an enforced drama class and they HAVE to be involved) or have a way to otherwise coerce them to do it. Once in, they often find they're having a blast. HAS to be fun and entertaining to them as well. I know it sounds silly and sexist - but it's the facts all too often (and I've seen it work well as a result) but should not have to be that way - I understand. Tough row to hoe that's for sure. TonyDi
	"Almost famous"
	IP Logged

Theatermama Star Joined: 7/23/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 60	Posted: 12/27/10 at 9:31pm
	Do you have a choir that has boys? Go after those boys, they are artistic type folks. Do you have any boys involved - they can often get their friends to do it with them. We did a haunted house for our first event one year when I was the drama coach and boys really like acting in that and then you have them hooked. I have 3 boys and all do theater and have since they were quite young. They often help me recruit other boys. If you also have adult men who are involved it won't look so girlish as well. Agree - depends on what you are doing and who is involved and food certainly helps.
	IP Logged

Majicwrench Celebrity Joined: 2/07/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 178	Posted: 12/28/10 at 1:21pm
	Food, I have that down pat, learned from a master. Always bring food. Hot girls, yup got some of those. Will keep pluggin away. But it is hard to pick shows when sometimes...like last spring....no boys show up . Thanks for the suggestions!
	IP Logged

Theatermama Star Joined: 7/23/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 60	Posted: 12/28/10 at 1:33pm
	You might also try precasting a few boys for key roles to see if you can find what you need before auditions.
	IP Logged

KEB54 Celebrity Joined: 7/24/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 227	Posted: 1/01/11 at 2:24am
	My wife directs HS theatre. She is not a teacher, just a staff member contracted to direct plays. She takes a genuine interest in the kids and gets lots of parents involved. She also helps out with make-up, costumes, props, etc. for school functions such as prom etc. She tries to make the theatre an asset for the entire school population not just the "theatre kids". She has drawn in a lot of kids as audience members, and eventually participants. Anyway, as far as boys, one of the great things she did was meet with the sports coaches. She asked what she could do for them and to make sure the theatre wasn't "stepping on their toes". As it turned out, both the basketball and football coaches were very supportive. Both enjoyed going to plays when in college. They had't thought about HS plays but started going once my wife took the time with them. When the coaches are supportive it makes it easier for the boys to get involved. Then one of the basketball players auditioned. My wife met with his coach to make sure everything was cool and wound up getting a newspaper article about both their programs and their cooperation. More boys started auditioning after that. The Athletic/Activity Director, who oversees both sports and theatre, is very happy. Now they often sell out their 600-seat theatre and theatre is an income producer.
	KEB
	IP Logged

Spectrum Celebrity Joined: 4/16/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 176	Posted: 1/01/11 at 11:20am
	WOW! Thanks for the story of how your wife does it, KEB54. That's how education is SUPPOSED to work. I think the key phrase in your story is "She takes a genuine interest in the kids and gets lots of parents involved." All too often these days, the "educators" coming out of colleges have the attitude, "If I'm not being PAID to do it, I'm not doing it." I've also observed way too many parents have abdicated their responsibility as parents. The fact that your wife breaks that nonsense up and pulls people in is refreshing to read about. Congratulations, and WELL DONE!
	Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.
	IP Logged