I am looking for additional ways to keep the uncast members of the troupe involved in the productions.  We're starting monthly meetings, and we do fund raising.  I will also be using the kids the nights of the performances taking tickets, passing out programs, running lights and sound, and working as stage hands. 

 

Any ideas for ways I could keep these kids involved? 

 

Remember that tons of the leadership work is great for kids to learn.  If the kids are in high school always write a thank you letter detailing leadership (helps in scholarship).

 

But don't forget that older kids can also herd the younger ones to entrances, and keep the younger ones busy between scenes.

 

And if you have a stage, maybe it needs some help?  Kids can clean, paint, decorate the dressing rooms, co-ordinate the costume room by date or male/female attire.

 

How about a PR session to raise awareness of the upcoming show?  Kids 'paint' the sidewalks in front of the theater (invite the newspaper for pictures) to promote the show.  Imagine Peter Pan pictures chalked on the sidewalk!  Or kids invited to Homemaker club meetings (or any other club meetings) to talk about the upcoming show--and sell tickets.  The older ladies would love it.  Nursing homes could be visited by kids with a short PR skit about the show.

 

Better yet for Halloween involve your kids in making up others for Halloween--again make it your troupe's PR event of the year.  You can pick and train them in some easy ones that aren't too scary.

 

I'd just love to have you talk to two friends of mine, John and Shelli.  Shelli involved kids right and left in a troupe called Junior Millrace.  I was always impressed at her control in the midst of 'chaos'.  And John--well John took things even further.  John directed and ran Junior Millrace for years, was heavily involved in the local boys and girls club and moved on to be the director at the local High School.  John involves the kids at the high school in every facet--with terrific results.  But more than that, John has changed lives.   Seriously, he has been a caring adult, role model and friend to kids --all the while getting fantastic theatrical results.  The theater coming out of that high school is invariably top notch.  And the creative output has included student written plays, student directed, student constructed, student promoted.  Kid's were involved at every level--and their creativity fostered and valued.  (Something I really appreciated because I have four kids myself...)

 

So as a message to the other directors involved with kids--remember that the good work that you do lasts far beyond the strike night.

 

So for your problem, Nanette,  it sounds like using the kids to help promote and do artwork for programs may be the easiest choices.

 

No one is paid in our CT ... not directors, costumers, set folk, etc. ... it's totally voluntary.  I, personally, have turned down well paying jobs designing for other companies to do this.

 

I try and give all the children in the troupe the opportunity to be on stage at least once a year.  Our stage is REALLY small, so large casts (over 20) simply don't work well (think a small bedroom and that's about the size of our stage). 

 

I want to keep the kids interested in the theatre AND let them know that there's more to the theatre than just being on the stage.  So far, most of them have been very receptive to working the door, being a stage hand, handing out refreshments, and stage managing.

Have you thought of doing some extra-show entertainment. ie . . . Before Cinderella I had a medievil market scene set up in the lobby with jugglers and, vendors and muscians. They were back at intermission selling refreshments. They were made up of backstage moms & dads and all those antsy kids. It gave the kids something to do before the show started, besides drive the adults and themselves nuts. It really put the audience in the mood. It was extra work and I relied heavily on the mom volunteers, but it was very successful.

 

Linda