I think you're right about all that. Those are tough issues. But from my
point of view, the only possible way something like this can manifest if it one starts to move forward on it and hashes out these details. Regarding the region. I'm centered in Bucks County, PA, between New York & Philadelphia. Within a hundred mile radius, I am certian there are enough schools to justify a program such as this. I'm sure the same is true in Boston, Chicago, Washington and LA, and probably down south too. Look at the activities in Orlando. But there is no reason why community theatres cannot be joined to a program such as this. If a school is sponsoring the program, community theatres in the area could be locations for workshops. Then what you say about getting the students behind it is true. A musical is a large endeavor, but the staffing positions are fairly well defined, even though it is somewhat flexible. I think that the way in which a program like this needs to proceed is to establish that staffing structure with a mentoring aspect to it. In my original concept, I saw a professional management team mentoring the apprentices. If that were the case, the professional production would have created job positions for the students if they do graduate mid-way
thru and if that were the case, they would still be involved from the mentoring end of things. In a professional sense, you have a first class production and any number of second class productions. There are other arenas as well, which could provide job opportunities for students and not just students who are studying
theatre. Remember there's marketing and accounting, and all the trades, publishing, product R&D. That's the beautiful thing about theatre- it uses all the known talents, arts & crafts, trades & business practices. It really is all encompassing. In terms of the
theatre department's regular season- I think a program like this would more suitably be considered part of a curriculum and would most probably extend over longer period of time. Once the program was established for at least four years, the course of study would be entered into with the expectation that in year three, the production would then go up and in year four it would tour. That being the case, the touring production would end up being one of the shows presented by each of the participating schools perfroming arts departments. I doubt that in a collegiate environment all the components of a full production from the
ground up could take place in less time than that. But, with multiple departments working together, that might happen, maybe even in two years. Part of the other thing is that, working out these details is something that a professional production must contend with, although not in a school environemt. A big part of the training in the program is that the students do the coordinating work that is necessary to make something like this happen. It's not something that is spoon
fed to the students. They need to show their ability to step up to the plate. It's something they create together and can be proud that they succeeded at it. The instructors, whether they are eductional staff or professional mentors, are there to guide the students in their process. I guess the program needs to set goals and leave it up to the students to meet those goals. I suppose their success would determine their grade. Something like that. But remember that the
community theatre aspect of it could be quite a valuable partner in the program as well. Thanks alot for your dialogue on this, it gets me fired up. AG
