It's an amazing thing about middle school kids. I've watched them do drama for years and I think I got 'em figured out. In fact, now that I have two middle school kids, I really do think I have them figured out. You see, when a production nears, it's not unusual for the young actors to not have lines memorized, be jumping off the walls.... In fact, nothing comes together until the day of the production. However, since I am only seeing the kids once each week, it's very difficult to pull this thing together. It's a rough one. When you have a cast size of 20, when one kid is out of school due to illness, that's it. However, I'm preparing myself. I know that we may end up doing a number of things. 1. We may have to work with someone on the side to prompt kids with lines. I basically can't stand it but I'll do it. 2. Have some kids use their scripts. 3. Cancel the gig. No way! Too much work! 4. It will pull together. I really do think having a drama club that meets only one each week does not work. I see a need to do it for two nights each week, using the additional days for drama activities and/or rehearsal. Just have to see how things work out next spring. | 
