Good morning, team,
It occurred to me at the meeting that we've got a WHOLE lot of new faces in some old places and I want to make sure that I don't assume anything and share whatever knowledge and info I have so everyone can prepare and be on the same page. I have a few of these emails planned but will try to space them out and not spam you - these will cover broad topics and serve as introductions to our new teachers and just confirmation of best practices for the rest of us.
Today let's just start at the beginning and see where we go...
I know that I, as an actual director who often feels like they're posing as a teacher, get overwhelmed and freaked out by acronyms and jargon so I want to make sure we understand all the nonsense we say:
ITS - International Thespian Society
IE - Individual Event
Slate - your students are expected to slate which means they'll line up (or whatever shape you all prefer) and introduce their names down the line, after their names they will state their event and specifics (a Solo from the musical Into the Woods with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim called "On The Step of the Palace") and then end with their Troupe Number. TIME BEGINS AFTER THE LAST NUMBER OF THE TROUPE - I have a very clear memory of one of the first festivals I went to where the group was doing Cell Block Tango and they STARTED with their number and then introduced everyone and so then when TIME was called, they KEPT ON GOING - the judges eventually got on the microphone and demanded that they stop. It was super awkward - make sure your kids know how to slate. Speaking as a troupe director and as a judge at other festivals, I do not like it when some students step forward and say "for the last time" during their slate - this is for a few reasons, 1. it seems like an attention grab and makes the whole thing just about those one or two people and 2. I expect my students to represent the Troupe for the rest of the natural (and possibly unnatural) lives, they're woven into the tapestry of the troupe and the flipping of the tassel doesn't negate that. This is entirely up to you but there is usually a noticeable shift in the mood of the room when a kid steps forward and pulls the "for the last time" card - I don't mean to be controversial, your troupe, your rules but I have found this to be a frequent topic of discussion.
Asterisks - taken directly from the Florida Thespians website: If your piece contains material that MAY offend members of your audience, you are REQUIRED to asterisk the piece on the Individual Event Registration Form and you are REQUIRED to include in your introduction that your piece contains "material that may possibly offend" and you are REQUIRED to allow a few brief moments for audience members, should they choose, to leave. Here is a list of the asterisks that we use:
S - Sexual Situations
D - Frank Talk of Death
SA - Substance Abuse
V - Violence
R - Religious Commentary
P - works related to prejudice or intolerance
G - Gun Shots/sounds
We are trying to be conscientious of any possible triggers or upsetting things for students so we are not limited to these Asterisks - there have been discussions about adding other Asterisks but, as a general rule, if you feel that your piece may be controversial or upset someone please take a moment to offer a small word of warning beforehand. These notes and warnings will not be counted against you because, remember, your time doesn't start until after your troupe number.
This isn't a full list of acronyms and jargon but it's a good place to get started, I think - let me know if you think I left out something important or if I'm wrong about something.
Have an amazing weekend, everyone!
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Jason Blanks
District One Chair
Florida State Thespians