Finding Your Theatre Tribe: Building Connections in Your Theatre Program
Ideas for Students and Teachers on Building a thriving theatre community in your Theatre Program. 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,
Finding your Theatre Tribe: Ideas for Students and Teachers on Building a thriving theatre community in your Theatre Program.
Plus, we will inform you about the most crucial theatre news and stories from last week.
So, raise the curtain, shine the spotlight, and dive into another thrilling week in the theatre world. Welcome to The Scene.
‘Purpose’ by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Directed by Phylicia Rashad, Will Play Broadway by Diep Tran, Playbill | The play had its world premiere this past spring at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Read...
'It's Perfect': Carol Burnett Reacts to Sutton Foster in ‘Once Upon a Mattress’ by Diep Tran, Playbill | The legendary comedian appeared on CBS Sunday Morning. Read...
Kieran Culkin, Bob Odenkirk, and Bill Burr to Star in Broadway ‘Glengarry’ by Michael Paulson, The New York Times | A revival of ‘Glengarry Glen Ross,’ David Mamet’s classic play about unscrupulous real estate agents, is to open next spring. Read...
Check out ‘The Road Don’t Make You Young' From Broadway's ‘Water for Elephants’ | The high-flying musical adaptation plays Broadway's Imperial Theatre.
How Hollywood Glamour Is Reviving the Endangered Broadway Play by Michael Paulson, The New York Times | George Clooney, Robert Downey Jr., Denzel Washington, and Mia Farrow are coming to Broadway, where some producers see plays with stars as safer bets than musicals. Read...
New Resources Make It Even Easier for Schools to Produce ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | Broadway Licensing Global has released tools helping schools with the Tony- and Olivier-winning play's illusions, set, and more. Read...
An Unexpected Bright Spot in Theater? Look to Wisconsin. by Elisabeth Vincentelli, The New York Times | No musicals and no mics: At American Players Theater in Wisconsin, nothing comes between the actors, their words, and the public. Read...
A Jingle Put Cellino & Barnes on the Map. Their Split Inspired a Play by Matt Stevens, The New York Times | Many New Yorkers can rattle off the phone number by heart. “Cellino v. Barnes” chronicles the rise and fall of these prominent injury lawyers. Read...
The Big Idea
Finding Your Theatre Tribe: Building Connections in Your Theatre Program
by Zach Dulli, The Scene
Whether you’re a student stepping onto the stage for the first time or a teacher guiding a new group through a production, one of the most important aspects of any theatre journey is building your “tribe.” Theatre isn’t just about the performances or the applause—it’s about the connections you make, the collaborations you engage in, and the supportive community you help to foster. Here’s how students and their teachers can work together to create a meaningful and thriving theatre community.
Get Involved Beyond the Stage
For Students: Explore various aspects of theatre beyond acting. Whether it’s set design, lighting, costumes, stage management, or production marketing, getting involved in different areas broadens your skills and introduces you to new people. The more you engage in the many facets of production, the more connections you'll build.
For Teachers: Encourage your students to explore all aspects of theatre production. Facilitate opportunities for them to try different roles and support their involvement in areas outside their usual comfort zone. This enhances their learning experience and fosters collaboration and camaraderie within the group.
Be Open and Approachable
For Students: Approach your peers and teachers openly. Engage in casual conversations before and after rehearsals, and be willing to reach out if you see someone who might need a bit more support or encouragement. Small acts of kindness usually lead to deeper connections and make you a leader in your program.
For Teachers: Create an environment where students feel comfortable approaching you and each other. Encourage open communication and foster a classroom or rehearsal space where everyone feels valued and heard. Your approachability sets the tone for a supportive community.
Form Study and Discussion Groups
For Students: Join or form study groups focusing on academic and theatrical topics. Discussing plays, performances, and theatre history can deepen your understanding and bring you closer to your peers. These groups often become close-knit communities where members support each other academically and emotionally.
For Teachers: Facilitate forming study groups or discussion circles within your classes or drama club. Guide students in leading and participating in these groups effectively, ensuring they are both educational and supportive. This fosters a sense of responsibility and collaboration among students.
Attend Theatre Events Together
For Students: Attend local plays, film screenings, and theatre conferences with your teachers and peers. These shared experiences provide a great way to bond outside class or rehearsal. Discussing and debating different aspects of theatre can strengthen your collaborative relationships.
For Teachers: Organize group outings and theatre events. Attend the local community theatre’s fall play or see the musical a nearby college or high school puts on. Use these experiences as opportunities for students to bond and learn together. Facilitate discussions afterward to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the art form.
Be a Team Player
For Students: Theatre is a collaborative art form, so be the person who helps others, whether it’s running lines, helping with set changes, or offering to drive someone home after a late rehearsal. Your willingness to contribute and support others will build a reputation as a reliable and enjoyable collaborator.
For Teachers: Model and reinforce the importance of teamwork in your productions. Highlight and praise examples of students supporting one another. Encourage a culture where everyone’s contributions are recognized and valued, whether on stage or behind the scenes.
Create and Maintain Traditions
For Students: Start or participate in traditions within your drama department. Whether it’s a pre-show ritual, a cast dinner, or a backstage game, these traditions create a sense of belonging and continuity. They become cherished memories that bind you and your theatre family together.
For Teachers: Support and celebrate traditions that foster community within your drama program. These rituals can become powerful tools for building a cohesive and supportive group. Encourage students to take ownership of these traditions, which can become a meaningful part of your program’s culture.
Communicate Openly and Honestly
For Students: Share your ideas, ask for help when needed, and be willing to listen to others. Open and honest communication improves your experience and contributes to a positive environment for everyone involved. Your peers and teachers will appreciate your willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue.
For Teachers: Promote a culture of open communication in your program. Create spaces where students feel comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns. Model effective communication skills and be receptive to feedback from your students. This builds trust and strengthens the overall community.
Celebrate Each Other’s Successes
For Students: Celebrate the achievements of your peers, whether they landed a role you wanted or nailed a difficult scene. Lifting others contributes to a supportive culture where everyone feels valued and encouraged to do their best.
For Teachers: Recognize and celebrate the successes of all your students, both big and small. Whether it’s a standout performance or a behind-the-scenes contribution, acknowledging their efforts fosters a positive and inclusive atmosphere. Encourage students to do the same for each other.
Be Yourself
For Students: Theatre is a space where authenticity is celebrated. Embrace your unique personality, talents, and quirks. When you are true to yourself, you’ll attract others who appreciate you for who you are, leading to deeper and more genuine connections.
For Teachers: Create an environment where students feel safe to express themselves authentically. Please encourage them to bring their unique perspectives to their performances and collaborations. Valuing individuality helps students build confidence and forge meaningful connections with their peers.
Building a Thriving Theatre Community
Building a thriving theatre community in your school requires student and teacher effort. By engaging with all aspects of theatre, being open and supportive, and embracing authenticity, you can create a theatre family that enhances the experience for everyone involved. These connections will enrich students' time in the drama program and provide a support system that extends beyond the stage. For teachers, fostering these relationships will strengthen your program and create a lasting impact on your students’ lives. Together, you can build a theatre tribe that makes every production, rehearsal, and class a rewarding and memorable experience.
Benedict Lombe’s ‘Shifters’ Begins in London by Margaret Hall, Playbill | Lombe is only the third Black British female playwright to have her play staged in the history of the West End. Read...
John Doyle Will Direct the World Premiere of the ‘Alfred Hitchcock Presents’ Musical by Andrew Gans, Playbill | The new musical from Steven Lutvak and Jay Dyer will open at Theatre Royal Bath next year. Read...
Sigourney Weaver, Tom Hiddleston, Hayley Atwell Are Bringing Shakespeare Back to Theatre Royal Drury Lane by Margaret Hall, Playbill | Led by the Jamie Lloyd Company, this will be the first time the Bard has been presented in the legendary theatre since 1957. Read...
Adam Dannheisser-Led ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ Extends London Run by Andrew Gans, Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | The ‘Beetlejuice’ star is leading the new production of the Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick, and Joseph Stein musical at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Read...
‘The Notebook’ Musical Will Launch North American Tour in 2025 by Andrew Gans, Playbill | Adapted from Nicholas Sparks' novel and its 2004 film, the work features a book by Bekah Brunstetter and a score by Ingrid Michaelson. Read...
Kate Hamill’s ‘The Light and The Dark’ Makes World Premiere by Andrew Gans, Playbill | Jade King Carroll directs for the Chautauqua Theater Company in New York. Read...
‘Water for Elephants’ Musical to Launch National Tour in Fall 2025 by Andy Lefkowitz, Broadway News | The Tony Award-nominated musical will hit the road. Read...
Cast Complete for Muny ‘Anything Goes,’ Starring Jeanna de Waal, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Adrianna Hicks, Ann Harada by Andrew Gans, Playbill | Marcia Milgrom Dodge will direct the Cole Porter classic with choreography by Jared Grimes. Read...
Free Reads of the Week
Read entire plays for free! Playscripts offers a selection of full-length and one-act plays that you can access for free, which is ideal for use in theatre productions, school performances, or competitions. To explore these titles, click on the cover image below or select the "READ FOR FREE" button at the bottom of this section. This action will direct you to the play's page on the Playscripts website. Once there, click "READ NOW" to begin enjoying the play immediately!
Frankenstein
A one-act adaptation of Mary Shelley’s novel adapted by Jon Jory, Michael Bigelow Dixon
The Story: It’s 1818, and Victor Frankenstein is a medical student at Ingolstadt University on the verge of a scientific breakthrough. His goal is to reverse death. Ignoring warnings from those around him, Frankenstein puts together a human body with parts from different corpses and brings it to life. But rather than celebrate his success, Frankenstein abhors the “Monster” he created and curses its existence. When the Monster pleads for compassion, Frankenstein rejects him, and the Monster seeks revenge through a series of murders. This succinct one-act retelling of Mary Shelley’s masterpiece questions the lines between hero and villain and asks: What are the costs of science without responsibility or empathy?
Drama | 30 - 40 minutes | 7 W, 5 M, 3 Any (12-15 actors possible) | Set: Flexible
