<p>Hello!
Well, I go to a small private school, and our theatre department is pretty small.
But we've seem to hit a rough patch.
A lot of our senior majors graduated, and moral seems to be at a low point since we aren't doing a mainstage show this semenster.
Any ideas on how we can boost moral?</p>
<p>You don’t say, but I’m going to assume you are in college. I’m sorry your department seems to be in a bit of a lull. I know that can be frustrating.</p>
<p>I know theatre people are never happier than when they are doing a show. But as we all know, sometimes in this career, work opportunities can be few and far between. And people come and go - often there is a “family” feeling during a show and then a strong sense of loss when those people go out of your life. This will be a pretty constant cycle in a life in theatre, I bet.</p>
<p>How to boost spirits during a time of “low morale”? To deal with the loss of the seniors, focus on welcoming the freshmen. Every college goes through a 25% shift in people every year, so this is the way of the world. Most people feel college goes a lot faster than HS, so enjoy people while you can, while knowing that nothing will stay the same. Focus, too, on the profs - this is your time to get to know them and learn what you can. Soon you will be gone, too.</p>
<p>As for not having a show to work on - I’d suggest you focus on shows you are not working on. If you are near professional theatre, go with your buddies to plays and talk about them with each other. Reminisce about the shows you have done, and talk about what you liked or would have done differently. Plan something - do a reading together, or do some drawings, play around with sound ideas, etc. if you in tech. Watch videos of plays, or movies or TV, and think about what you like and don’t like about the productions. Have a costume party where people come as their favorite theatre character/personality - anything to build friendships, have fun, and celebrate what you love about what you do.</p>
<p>Explore the college, while you have time. You know when you’re doing a show that there is rarely time for this. Meet people in other departments - especially media studies, film, etc. if they have it. Many theatre students get involved in their projects (which can help with career options). Get some exercise!</p>
<p>College has times when you’re up to your ears and times when you feel like your life is on hold. During those times, nurture the parts of you that get left out when you’re too busy. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Of course, last year’s seniors have all graduated (that happens every year!), but there must be some NEW seniors (who were juniors last year).</p>
<p>Maybe the students, led by the current seniors, can get together and organize a show on their own. If the powers that be in the school won’t let you have school facilities, maybe you can find some other performance space. Remember, Peter Brook said “Any empty space can be a theatre”. But I suspect that if the students get properly organized, the school administration will let the students have access to the school facilities.</p>
<p>One word of advice–try to make sure that you separate the major jobs, that is to say that the director is not one of the actors. (and the playwright is not the director or an actor) That will prevent it from being a “one person show”.</p>
<p>KEVP</p>