Directing theatre is a labor of love. If you are a teacher to boot, you have your four hands full. We encourage you to think of yourself as the Shepherd of your students, and the Gatekeeper of your program. As a Shepherd, your job is to guide and guard your students. As a Gatekeeper, your job is to let in only those who would benefit, not harm, your students. You, the Director, are uniquely positioned to prayerfully seek collaborators from within your Christian community and beyond.
Top theatre artists can speak ad nauseam about the value of collaboration. (And for good reason!) A solid roster of collaborators will help your program thrive. In this blog we explore who, besides you, might invest in and contribute to the important work you are doing.
The Parents of Your Students
It’s safe to say that parents are your go-to support base for any production you put on – especially if it involves their kids! Parents are your strongest asset – sometimes to a fault when it comes to dealing with "helicopter" parents (“My child’s experience must have my oversight...”) and "lawn mower" parents (“My child must have a clear path with no obstacles...”).
As graciously as possible, you may have to guard against allowing undue influence from specific families. This can actually creep up – with no ill intention on anyone’s part – in the form of sizable dedications of time, money, or energy. Keeping each area of your volunteer base as balanced as possible will help protect you against any appearance of partiality.
From your parent base, you have discovered or quickly will discover those with a theatre background. Parents who have a history in theatre are often aching to contribute. Maybe there is a Stage Manager or Costume Mistress among your parent base? As you know, it is critical to take great care as to which volunteers you take on and in what capacity. Let the leash out slowly so you maintain control of the project. It’s tough to revoke authority once given.
Your Christian Community
Christian schools and homeschool groups are often affiliated with a particular denomination or even a particular congregation. Work those leads! Find a way to invite the congregation into your production process by having an open "Orientation Meeting" with volunteer jobs listed. Pick the brain of your Worship Pastor, or appeal to the audience at your performance regarding your future productions. As discussed above, those with a passion for the stage generally lose their outlet once they leave school. Putting out a call can be a win for all.
Local Universities
Are you close to a university with a respectable theatre program? We understand that not all titles produced in a university will resonate with our worldview. But maybe you can connect with a student to stage/choreograph, or a faculty member to guest direct? Don’t be afraid to prayerfully broaden your circle. Your faith might influence them as much as – or more than – their contribution will influence your program.
Your Wider Community
Might there be guests with professional or advanced theatre backgrounds from your wider, local community who would resonate with your sensibilities and values? Maybe they could consult on a scene or help coach a character? Check out your local theatre listings. Support them. See their shows. Get to know their sensibilities. Maybe place your show ad in their program. You never know what the Lord might do.
It is no doubt easy and safe to be a circle turned inward, where we isolate ourselves in a Christian cocoon. We believe the Jesus model calls us to be a circle turned outward, holding hands. As the Shepherd of your students and the Gatekeeper of your program, you – the Director – have been entrusted with great responsibility. You may prayerfully and carefully open the gate, as the Lord leads, to those in your wider Christian community, and beyond. In doing so, you provide others with opportunities to wield influence when appropriate, that we may all grow into the character of Christ in every way.
“ …until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:13-15