Over the years, we have taught students who love the Bard but are reluctant to tread the boards. It’s only natural: for every student who loves being on the stage, there is another who feels more comfortable behind the scenes.
Happily, theatre is about so much more than the act of performing. If you have a shy student, or one who deals with stage fright, remind them that there are any number of ways to be an integral part of the team. Designing costumes or acting as a stage manager; working with lighting and set design; even creating a program or acting as prompter for actors who might forget their lines – all of these responsibilities are highly valued and necessary for a successful production.
Take time in your classes to talk about the importance of these technical roles, assuring every student that they are contributing to the show. As Shakespeare himself reminds us, “One man in his time plays many parts” – and it’s important to remind your students that not all of these parts need to be on-stage!