No, the musical director does NOT run the musical - at least not in our theater.

 

Charlie

If the musical director has been directing the whole thing for years, then she's the director whatever her title.  She could be the math teacher.  If she has put on successful shows for years, then she is the director.

 

Do you want to help and make the show a success and a good experience for the kids? 

 

I imagine she could use the help, but not if you come in and insist because you are the "theater person," you should direct the acting. 

 

Going to the principal (up the chain of command) will not endear you to any body. The principal doesn't care.  He/she wants everyone to get along and not make waves.  He/she's not going to piss off someone who has worked for years putting on successful shows.

 

Talk to the musical director face-to-face and offer to help out.  See what she needs.  Offer to take some of the weight--costuming, choreography, set design/building--if she is willing to share.

 

It sounds like you are new to the school.  Think of it as being new to a community theatre.  She wants to see what you can do before putting you in the lead.  She has been successful with shows in the past and is not willing to turn over a big portion of the responsibility until she knows what you can do.

 

Show her you are as dedicated to a good show and a good experience for the kids as she is.  Be on HER side.

 

Good luck!  I'm sure you have a great contribution to make.

 

Let us know what happens. 

That said, I think my attitude has been excellent considering the choir teacher did not say "welcome to the program - here's how we've been doing it - how can we work together on this?"  Instead, she said "You don't understand - this is my thing and I'm doing it - I can do it without you."  So, I said "Alright, I'll design the set and lights and direct the stage crew, but next year it will need to be different."

 

Well, nothing has changed.  I agree that she is entitled to her position, but the way she went about it was all wrong.  And, it seems she is completely oblivious of the traditions of musical theatre.

 

Maybe a better question for this forum is "How do choir directors and theatre directors get along?"

 You have made an offer, so live up to your end of it. Whether she does or not, is San fairy Anne!

In the mean time work on planning the next year production.

Stay squeaky clean & help with her show. A lot can happen before the next production comes about, which may change the situation in your favour.

lets face it she has her feet set in concrete & you want to rearrange the foundations.

The show will happen anyway, so you have all that time to prove your credentials, while checking out the lie of the pitch & playing field.

Ensuring you wear a steel plate to cover your R send, if it is a flop & you have not left any DNA behind at the scene.

 

I do know the musical director has done it all in the past. I think that it actually may work better with only one person involved, but that just may be due to the fact I have issues with the director.

Good luck with it.

 

 BINGO!!!

 

Unless your Music/Band/Choir Director has experience and has the authority to do the Theatrical Directing... they need to stick to what they know or teach and let a more knowlegeable (not necessarily talented) person take care of Stage Direction. AND VICE VERSA! As far as choreography goes, Choreography falls more into Stage Direction than Vocal Direction. SO. if you don't have a choreographer  the Director should choreograph dance numbers.

 

Now, THAT being said, I am so sorry you find yourself in a public school system which seems to be leading the cutting edge of "self centered, self importance" instead of a school where learning is paramount to both teachers and students.  I worked for Fort Worth ISD for 2 years for the Reading Dept. WOW! ... sorry, before I get WAY W A Y off topic on a rant, Have you talked to the principal? It sounded like you had but that's definately the place to start if the MUZAC lady dosn't want to share. It is I am sad to say, all too likely that this is a situation where you're not going to get a chance to prove your worth until you pitch in with what the Music Director is doing... Whatever you do DON'T bust her out in front of the kids.  Try getting some parents on your side because that's the kind of pressure the Principal will eventually listen too.

 

Best Wishes

 

I don't think that's smart, but it is sometimes the way it is.  I've seen a lot of musicals where it's very clear that there was no drama teacher or experienced stage director involved (great music, fantastic singing and orchestra, but 70 chorus members stand in a straight line to sing a song then march off stage). 

 

Another sad but true rule of community seems to be that while people hate change, people hate changes that new people make even more.  I hope you've tried to go back and figure out what was agreed upon or where the miscommunication started since you posted this and that things are going better...but if it's not, trying to change things in a big way right off the bat usually goes over like a lead balloon.  I wish you luck.  I hope you're able to gain the respect that you want and convince them that a different partnership is best.

 

You gotta figure out a way to work together.

 

How are her productions?  Are they good now?