The Joy of a Production

Nothing gives me more professional joy then directing the school production. After moving schools recently I took a break from productions to establish my classroom practice, get to know my new students and become accustomed culture of the school. However I missed the creative outlet massively and was glad to finally get back to directing.

 School productions are seeped in joy.
 
For students there is:
- the joy of being part of something exciting.
- the joy of being creative.
- the joy of newly found friends.
- the joy of expressing yourself.
- the joy of working with other people.
- the joy of learning new skills.
- the joy of telling story.
- the joy of entertaining and engaging an audience.
 
And the joy is not limited to the students either.
 
For the teachers involved there is:
- the joy of getting to know new students.
- the joy of getting to know old students better.
- the joy of seeing your students shine.
- the joy of being creative.
- the joy of developing self-esteem in the young people you are working with.
- the joy of expressing yourself.
- the joy of working with new people.
- the joy of being part of something exciting.

 This production was especially full of joy. I took any kid who wanted to be involved, regardless of their experience or ability, and made one massive loving team full of belief and joy. At the end of the performance my students presented me with my own Up Jar. I want to share some of their notes here… not to brag, but to encourage other teachers to step outside their comfort zone and embark on a school production. It is hard work, but it is worth it a thousand times over.

Its been an amazing opportunity for me. I have loved every second! I have learnt so much about my character and myself.
 
Thanks for directing the play, especially letting me join in it. 
​(Note: This student had never been involved in anything extra-curricular at school before!)
 
Thank you for helping me believe in myself. And helping me reach my goal.
 
All of us are truly grateful for you allowing us to express ourselves on stage. 
 
I learnt so many new things!
 
You make the drama space enjoyful (my new favourite word!) and fun it’s a place I feel comfortable in and I am really happy I came to this school.
 
Thank you so MUCH for this fun and exciting and amazing opportunity!!! I had so much fun and would absolutely love to do more in the future!
 
Thanks for giving me a chance and believing in me.

School productions connect students to each other and to the wider school community. It was certainly the place I felt I belonged the most at school. It is activities such as these that students remember when looking back on their schooling lives. In his book Creating Cultures of Thinking: the 8 Forces we must Master to Truly Transform Our Schools, Ron Richhart writes,
​
“I look at my life today, the things I value most about myself—my imagination, my love of acting, my passion for writing, my love of learning, my curiosity—all come from how I was parented and taught. And none of these qualities that I've just mentioned—none of these qualities that I prize so deeply, that have brought me so much joy, that have brought me so much professional success—none of these qualities that make me who I am…can be tested.”
 
Sometimes it is the things outside of testing in our schools that make the greatest difference. So I urge you, even though it is difficult and time consuming, go for it. Put on that school production. Your students will be beyond grateful for the experience.