<p>This may not be an old dog, but I'll bet she's not learning any new tricks. Learning to be organized is a challenge that many never meet so I'd say that the choice is going to be either put up with it or not have your child involved.</p>
<p>Hudson, sounds as if you have big problems here. Last year's crazy directors of D's musical DID kick girls out of speaking roles or lead dancer roles for no good reason. It was a very tense experience. Luckily there was no nepotism involved, so they were easily fired. In your case, the school board & super connection makes it very tough to make changes for future shows. And nothing is more annoying than those super moms & dads who singlehandedly build Broadway caliber sets & put their lives on hold to improve thier kids' status in the little musical theater world of their local h.s. Nothing is more political than high school & community theater!</p>
<p>It is also sad to hear that the perfectionist director isn't bringing in kids to work on sets & make-up and costumes. It's a high school, afterall. These are all wonderful learning opportunities for kids & perfect chances for those who may not have been friends under other circumstance to get to know one another.</p>
<p>I love the story about the boy who encouraged the football team to audition as sailors for South Pacific. That really captures the spirit & purpose of a high school production -- making theater accessible for all types of people.</p>
<p>I went to a performing arts middle school and every year we did a Shakespeare play in May and started rehersal in February. Now in high school we had about two and a half months of rehersals for musicals, and about 6 weeks for the straight plays.</p>
<p>Our school rehearses Maybe 3-4 days a week for two hours for about a six week period. Dress/tech week, as everyone knows can last longer, and the weekend before dress/tech, we usually have longer 7 hour techs with light cue and audios.</p>
<p>It differs from school to school and needs, but after a longer rehearsal period, shows can get stale if the actors aren't feeling fresh about the show. It all depends on the show, the actors, the director's style and what not.</p>
<p>UPDATE -- Well, the show is over. Just before Easter the director had the kids working 14 out of 15 days. On Tuesday after Easter the show previewed for the high school (students and faculty). My daughters contracted the flu, which was maing the rounds through our area, and missed the Tuesday performance. They rallied to make a 5-hour final rehearsal on Wednesday, and pulled it together for the performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. </p>
<p>Several other cast members contracted the flu but toughed it out until Sunday following the show. The over-rehearshing showed in other ways. The featured lead's voice was shot by the time showtime came around. Another lead, who served as co-choreographer and dance captain, kept running out of breath when singing during her big solo. The third female lead turned venomous in the dressing room during the final week of rehearsals and put in an uninspired performance during the three-day run.</p>
<p>The show was "Anything Goes" and just about every did go. The director was not happy with this year's show. I doubt she understands that she is at least partially responsible. Glad daughter #1 was in the pit orchestra for her senior year. Daughter #2 is planning on returning to the stage next year, but (at least for now) not with the enthusiasm she displayed on January 2, 2008.</p>
<p>Thanks again everyone for your great insight and suggestions on how to deal with this situation in the future.</p>
<p>Thanks for the post-show summary. I, for one, was curious as to how this would turn out. I have never been a director, but have extensive experience helping coordinate large scale (and cast) skating shows, plus worked in middle management for years and also taught. Soliciting feedback - anonymously if necessary - is key to making the process (whatever it is) better....and understanding where and why it didn't go so well. I would hope, if she has the experience you say she does, that she would see the benefit to this. Or perhaps someone could carefully suggest it....?? Good luck next year. It sounds like torture, not high school theater, to me.</p>