When I was in HS my honors english teacher was cast as the stage manager in "Our Town".  It was the coolest thing I have ever done.

When I was in middle & high school, we used to have a fundraiser every couple of years with teachers as actors (in addition of course to the student shows).  Usually the teacher shows would have some child/teen roles (e.g., Annie, Oliver, etc.).  This seemed to be the best of both worlds--kids can enjoy teachers making fools of themselves onstage and maybe learn from working with more seasoned actors, but the kids still had their own shows in which to shine.

Outside of this special context, I don't think it's appropriate for teachers to be onstage in school shows.  Good drama teachers will promote technique--school plays are not JUST learning experiences but should aim to be good productions too, but they are learning experiences nonetheless.  Students, entirely appropriately, may feel uncomfortable acting with their teachers, and they should have an environment to perform safe from this.


Edited by falstaff29 - 9/25/11 at 6:16pm

 Tis always interesting with the kids growing up....I do a middle school show every spring, and cast just kids. But this year, one of the girls I have worked with for years, who is in HS now, is in my CT show, and there is some sexual tension between the two characters. It never feels odd on stage, as a matter of fact I am suprised how easy it has been. But sometimes off-stage, when I think about it, it does feel odd.

I have had to use adults in casts, especially when we were short guys for the "this must be cast by a male" roles.  I teach at a K3-12th grade Christian school, so we do not cast women as men.  I try not to place my men in any type of uncomfortable position, such as playing opposite a teen girl in a romantic role.  And, casting the adults has helped with tickets sales to our younger audience when I cast the elementary teachers in the play--they just love to see their teachers perform.