Self Care for the Drama Teacher
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,
We discuss ideas for how Theatre Educators can take care of themselves in the lead-up to their next production.
Host of The Scene: Podcast and Theatre Tiktoker Justin Borak is back with his new weekly segment: Shows You Should Know!
The latest free read from Playscripts: Sense and Sensibility, adapted by Jon Jory.
So, raise the curtain and shine the spotlight as we dive into another thrilling week in the theatre world. Welcome to The Scene.
A First Look At Sadie Sink & The Cast Of John Proctor Is The Villain by Jake Viswanath, Bustle | The play, written by Kimberly Belflower and directed by Tony winner Danya Taymor, focuses on a junior honors English class in rural Georgia studying The Crucible. Read...
Tituss Burgess to Star in Broadway's Oh, Mary! by Molly Higgins & Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | The six-time Emmy nominee is set to succeed Glow star Betty Gilpin for a limited engagement. Read...
Left on Tenth Leaves Broadway by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | Directed by Susan Stroman, the Delia Ephron play stars Julianna Margulies and Peter Gallagher. Read...
Kit Connor, Rachel Zegler & Romeo + Juliet Cast Take Us Behind the Scenes of the Broadway Play by P. Claire Dodson, Teen Vogue | These exclusive photos show how much the cast has bonded as they head into their final 16 shows. Read...
A Tennessee Williams-Marlon Brando Tango, and Other Riffs on Classics by Laura Collins-Hughes, The New York Times | Three new plays onstage in Manhattan, “Kowalski,” “Mrs. Loman” and “Nina,” mine treasures of theater history. Read...
Long-Delayed Long Day's Journey Into Night Film, Starring Jessica Lange, Sets Premiere by Darryn King, Broadway Buzz | Adapted from Eugene O’Neill’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, the film marks the directorial debut of Jonathan Kent, who also directed the 2016 Broadway production that starred Lange. The cast also features Academy Award winner Ed Harris as James Tyrone. Read...
82,150 Gallons of Paint Later, a Blue Man Group Farewell by Melena Ryzik, The New York Times | Over 34 years, the show gave Fred Armisen a drumming gig, “Arrested Development,” a hilarious storyline, and more. Now, the cultural sensation comes to an end in New York. Read...
What’s the difference between a lead producer, executive producer, and co-producer? by Ruthie Fierberg, Broadway News | Defining the roles and corresponding responsibilities of different producer titles. Read...
Big Idea Story
Self-Care for the Drama Teacher
By Zach Dulli, The Scene
By the time the high school theatre department’s big musical hits its opening night, you—the daring, dedicated theatre educator—might already feel like you’ve played every role in the production: director, set designer, costume guru, crisis negotiator, part-time therapist, and full-time cheerleader. Productions are oftentimes a full-throttle rollercoaster. But before you let your final curtain fall, it’s time to take a deep breath.
The Drama Teacher’s Dilemma
High school theatre is pure magic: bright-eyed students learning to project, express, and be their boldest selves on stage. But the behind-the-scenes hustle is all too real. Rehearsals stretch late into the evening, weekends vanish in a flurry of set-building, and your inbox is littered with emails from parents whose children have suddenly decided they’d rather play the Lacross than play Hamlet. It’s easy to lose yourself in the frenzy— especially if you’ve got your own life going on (spoiler alert: you do).
Don’t Skip Your Intermission
Even the best show has an intermission. Use yours wisely. Whether it’s a 15-minute break in rehearsal or a day off after marathon tech sessions, step back and breathe. Grab your go-to playlist and let it carry you away for a moment. Shut off the phone, step out of the auditorium, and reclaim your thoughts. Your mental health can’t keep up if you never let it rest.
Schedule Your Standing Ovation
Yes, you have deadlines, but you can set boundaries, too. Mark off personal time on your calendar like a crucial blocking rehearsal. It might feel odd prioritizing yourself, but remember: Your show is only as good as your health. Think of it as scheduling your own applause break. When you know you’ve got a Friday evening free for a yoga class or a coffee date with a friend, it becomes a beacon of sanity in the whirlwind.
Cast Your Supporting Leads
No drama teacher is an island, but it sometimes feels like it. Whether you lean on a colleague, friend, family member, or an online community of theatre educators, find your tribe. Sometimes, a quick chat with another drama teacher who’s weathered their own production storm is the perfect pick-me-up. Or maybe you delegate some responsibilities. Let the responsible student stage manager call the cues for once—you don’t have to do it all.
Give Anxiety a Cue to Exit
During production season, stage fright isn’t just for the students. Anxiety loves to steal the spotlight. A few mindfulness strategies—like grounding exercises, deep breathing, or a simple walk around the school grounds—can help keep it from hogging center stage. Remember, you’re the director of this mental production, and anxiety doesn’t get top billing.
Celebrate the Journey (Not Just Opening Night)
Self-care might sound like an unwelcome cameo at first, but remember: without you, there’s no show. Embrace the beautiful mess of drama club production season, but don’t lose sight of your own script. Whether it’s a weekend road trip, a night in with Netflix, or a candlelit bath with Sondheim playing softly in the background, find the downtime you need.
Here’s your final note: prioritize your own well-being before the house lights dim. Treat yourself like the star you truly are—you’ve earned that standing ovation. Break a leg out there, but not your spirit. The show (and your life) must go on.
Shows You Should Know
You on the Moors Now by Jaclyn Backhaus
About: Jaclyn Backhaus is the best at taking a known story and changing it in an incredibly thought-provoking way. You on the Moors Now looks into what would happen if four literary heroines (Jo March, Elizabeth Bennet, Cathy, and Jane Eyre) all turned down their famous marriage proposals from their stories. Backhaus dives into the absurd as we watch all hell break loose when these famous love stories lose the love. This is an outstanding play to dive into, especially in high schools in conjunction with your English department. We don’t see a lot of plays that take on past work like this, entirely spinning it around and putting it on its head. There is so much opportunity here to study past stories in preparation for this play, lending an excellent hand for intense dramaturgical research while also being a hilarious romp. If you’re a nerd for the classics, this play is perfect for you.
Rating: PG-13 | Casting: 7 M, 7 W | Genre: Full Length, Comedy/Drama
Click here to grab a copy of You on the Moors Now. Don’t forget to check out The Scene Podcast!
Brie Larson-Led Elektra Opens in London's West End by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | Tony nominee Daniel Fish is directing the new revival of the Sophocles tragedy, co-starring Stockard Channing, Patrick Vaill, and more. Read...
Rami Malek and Indira Varma-Led Oedipus Opens in London by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | Matthew Warchus and Hofesh Shechter are co-directing the new take on the Sophocles tragedy for The Old Vic. Read...
London's The Devil Wears Prada Musical Extends Into 2026 by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | Vanessa Williams stars as Miranda Priestly, with Jerry Mitchell at the helm of the musical that opened December 5, 2024. Read...
Shakespeare’s Globe Announces 2025 Summer Season – Including The Crucible by Alex Wood, What’s On Stage | Arthur Miller, one-night-only experiences, and a raft of Shakespeare favorites. Read...
See Who's Starring in Kennedy Center Eureka Day by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | The Manhattan Theatre Club production of Jonathan Spector's play is headed to Washington, D.C. Read...
ACT Contemporary Theatre and Seattle Shakespeare Company will Merge by Gemma Wilson, Seattle Times | The companies will merge under the legal name Union Arts Center and operate out of ACT’s current multi-theater home at the former Eagles building at 700 Union St. in downtown Seattle. Read...
D.C.’s Capital Fringe Festival Is Closing After Two Decades by Kriston Capps, The Washington Post | A beloved outlet for aspiring artists since 2005, the festival was facing higher costs and fewer opportunities for DIY projects. Read...
Check Out Photos of Mystic Pizza Musical at Paper Mill Playhouse by Andrew Gans, Playbill | Casey Hushion directs the musical based on the 1988 film. 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!
Sense and Sensibility adapted by Jon Jory
The Story: Sisters Elinor and Marianne find themselves captivated by two very different men in this lively and dynamic adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel. Sensible Elinor is charmed by the quiet, bumbling goodness of Edward, while passionate Marianne is swept off of her feet by the dashing and mysterious Willoughby. But when Willoughby's scandalous past and Edward's secret fiancee come to light, the sisters are forced to rely upon themselves and one another to weather their heartache -- and learn that when sense and sensibility meet, love can't be far behind.
Romance | 90 - 100 minutes | 8 W, 8 M, (13-16 actors possible: 7-8 W, 6-8 M) | Set: Bare stage with rolling doors and movable furniture.
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