This is a classic problem. High school tech where there is no adult tech on staff, often runs in cycles. A student comes along with a lot of interest and dedication and explores the theater, works hard to learn about the equipment, creates a great new program, other students join and things grow, then eventually it fades, students graduate, and the tech withers. Then someone new will come along in a few years who has the same interest and dedication, and the tech will grow again. That's just the way it is.
It's a good thing that a graduating senior wants to help their old school out and see the tradition continue, but you also have a future ahead of you in college and beyond. In the end, if the Director is "strict and angers easily" the problem is not yours, it's the director's. You should be applauded for sticking around despite the director's behavior. There's a big world out there ahead of you. College theater, working lots of gigs in lots of small theaters to get your career started... you have a lot ahead of you so don't worry too much about looking back.
I also have this problem. I am a sophomore and basically running the tech crew. I will worry about things out if my control. I know I need to realize its not my problem.
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NewChris In the end, you always come back to the fact that you are a student in a giant educational institution. There are school rules, state laws, the fact that you are still 15/16 years old and in an environment where Adults have all the
power, and of course the Arts are always one of the lowest budget priorities so the theater always gets cut. In order to keep yourself from going crazy just remember there are very few things you can actually control. Work hard, do your best job, be responsible, be a leader, be someone that everyone says, "I love to work with that person"... those are the things you can control. When things beyond your control happen, suck it up and get back to work doing what you can do to make things great. Want to know a secret? The truth is, it's not that different from the Pro world. Every adult pro here has to deal with all kinds of annoying things that prevent them from doing their job the way the want it to be done. Things out of their control. So you are currently learning skills that you will use your whole life.
In the end it comes down to this: Care about the quality of your work. When things come up that you can't control, find your best way to deal with them so that you can get back to doing more quality work.