CREATE A SAFE AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT IN YOUR THEATRE CLASSROOM
Plus, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed!
Welcome to The Scene, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed. In this week’s email:
THE BROADWAY BEAT: Ariana DeBose will return to host the 2023 Tony Awards - A BEAUTIFUL NOISE Raised $500k for Parkinson's Foundation - JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT film adaptation being developed for Amazon Studios - WICKED to surpass CATS to become fourth longest-running Broadway show in history - HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD to hold events commemorating fifth Broadway anniversary - Watch the Cast of NEW YORK, NEW YORK Perform 2 Numbers From the New Kander and Ebb Broadway Musical
HOT TOPICS: Take the 2022-23 EdTA Annual Play Survey - Anna Deavere Smith, Kerry Washington, More Appointed to Newly Revived President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities - Thomas Recktenwald Explains How Stage Management Is a 'Beautiful Blend of Management and Creativity' – Broadway in the Time 100, including Suzan-Lori Parks by Sterling K. Brown
THE CALLBACK: LAST CALL for play submissions to ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence.
THE BIG IDEA: Create a Safe and Inclusive Environment in your Theatre Classroom
The Broadway Beat
ARIANA DEBOSE WILL RETURN TO HOST THE 2023 TONY AWARDS - Academy Award winner and Tony nominee Ariana DeBose will host the 76th annual Tony Awards, celebrating the 2022-2023 Broadway season.
A BEAUTIFUL NOISE RAISED $500K FOR PARKINSON'S FOUNDATION - The musical tells the story of singer-songwriter Neil Diamond who retired from touring after being diagnosed with Parkinson's.
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT FILM ADAPTATION BEING DEVELOPED FOR AMAZON STUDIOS – Director Jon M. Chu, who is currently directing the WICKED film and also helmed the screen version of IN THE HEIGHTS, will be at the helm of “Joseph.”
WICKED TO SURPASS CATS TO BECOME FOURTH LONGEST-RUNNING BROADWAY SHOW IN HISTORY - WICKED began previews at the Gershwin Theatre on Oct. 8, 2003, before it officially opened on Oct. 30.
HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD TO HOLD EVENTS COMMEMORATING FIFTH BROADWAY ANNIVERSARY - Titled “5 Days of Magic” and slated to begin on April 19, they will include in-theater giveaways and an in-person lottery.
WATCH THE CAST OF NEW YORK, NEW YORK PERFORM 2 NUMBERS FROM THE NEW KANDER AND EBB BROADWAY MUSICAL -
Hot Topics
TAKE THE 2022-23 EDTA ANNUAL PLAY SURVEY – For more than 80 years, EdTA has conducted the survey of most-produced plays and musicals in US middle and high schools.
ANNA DEAVERE SMITH, KERRY WASHINGTON, MORE APPOINTED TO NEWLY REVIVED PRESIDENT’S COMMITTEE ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES - The Biden administration is re-establishing the group after it disbanded in 2017 in protest of then-President Trump's response to the events in Charlottesville.
THOMAS RECKTENWALD EXPLAINS HOW STAGE MANAGEMENT IS A 'BEAUTIFUL BLEND OF MANAGEMENT AND CREATIVITY' - Recktenwald is currently the production stage manager for Broadway's MJ THE MUSICAL.
LIVESTREAMING ‘MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE’ FOR SOME DISABLED ART LOVERS BY THE NEW YORK TIMES' NEELAM BOHRA AND WENDY LU - "When shuttered venues embraced streaming during the pandemic, the arts became more accessible. With live performance back, and streams dwindling, many feel forgotten."
BROADWAY IN TIME100: TIME has revealed its list of the 100 most influential people of 2023. Including Suzan-Lori Parks by Sterling K. Brown
The Callback
LAST CALL for play submissions to ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence. ENOUGH! is calling on teen writers, ages 13 to 19, to confront gun violence head-on with l 10 minute plays. Six playwrights will be selected to receive $500, nationwide readings, and be published by Playscripts. Deadline is April 20. For more information visit enoughplays.com/writing.
The Big Idea
CREATE A SAFE AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT IN YOUR THEATRE CLASSROOM
Creating a safe and inclusive environment in your theatre classroom is not only a moral imperative but also a professional responsibility. Theatre is a collaborative art form that requires trust and respect among all participants. Therefore, it is essential to create an environment that fosters these values and enables all students to feel comfortable and supported. The following are some strategies you can use to create a safe and inclusive environment in your theatre classroom:
SET CLEAR EXPECTATIONS AND GUIDELINES: - Start the semester, rehearsals, or meetings by setting clear expectations and guidelines for behavior in the classroom and at the theatre. Make sure all students understand what is expected of them in terms of respect, collaboration, and inclusivity. Encourage students to ask questions and clarify anything they may not understand.
FOSTER A CULTURE OF RESPECT - Respect is crucial in any collaborative environment. Encourage students to respect each other's opinions, backgrounds, and identities. Model respectful behavior yourself and intervene if you witness disrespectful behavior. Don’t let anyone become a diva.
CELEBRATE DIVERSITY - Theatre is an art form that celebrates diversity and different perspectives. Make sure to incorporate diverse voices and stories into your curriculum and show selection. Encourage students to share their own experiences and perspectives.
CREATE A SAFE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT - Ensure that your classroom is a physically safe space. Make sure all equipment and props are in good condition and that the space is free of hazards. Also, ensure that the space is accessible to all students, including those with disabilities.
BE AWARE OF POWER DYNAMICS - Theatre is an art form that requires a lot of vulnerability, and students may feel pressure to perform or conform to certain expectations. Be aware of power dynamics in the classroom and work to create a supportive environment where all students feel comfortable taking risks.
LISTEN TO YOUR STUDENTS: Encourage open communication and actively listen to your students. If a student expresses concerns or discomfort, take them seriously and work with them to find a solution. Also, encourage students to share their feedback on the environment both in the classroom and at the theatre space.
ADDRESS ISSUES PROMPTLY: If you witness or hear about any disrespectful behavior, address it promptly. Make it clear that such behavior will not be tolerated in your classroom or theatre. Work with the offending student(s) to understand why their behavior was inappropriate and how they can improve in the future.
In conclusion, creating a safe and inclusive environment in your theatre classroom requires a deliberate and ongoing effort. By setting clear expectations, fostering respect and diversity, creating a safe physical environment, being aware of power dynamics, listening to your students, and addressing issues promptly, you can create a theatre program where all students feel welcome and supported to express themselves creatively.
Last Call
The New York Times Wants to Hear from Schools
Choosing plays and musicals has become more complicated in some school districts. If your school has faced challenges or pushback against plays or musicals from people raising concerns about content or language, we encourage you to share your experiences with The New York Times. Parents and students over the age of 14 can share their thoughts too. Here's the link to fill out their short survey.
