On illness and absences; this term, despite being a show term for IB, CP and YAs, has actually had Wonderplay's highest absence rate in history. This has led to me having to cut some children out of particular scenes all together. It has also led to some quite stressed young actors who are worried they wont get the chance to work the scene with their scene partners.
This is mostly due to the strep-throat epidemic which has hit us hard. Besides strep-throat however, when children are staying home sick, it's important to ask- would they be too sick to do the show right now? If the show was on today, would I have to call Debs to arrange for her to go on with a script to fill in for the part?
If the answer is no (and they don't have strep-throat or) send them in! Unless of course, they have been hot by a car and broken their leg in two places like one of out students- although even she is making it into class now! Children who aren't feeling 100% can sit on the side and read in their lines for the group. This way they don't miss the blocking and direction. However, it starts that way sometimes, but I've never not seen a child perk up and join in completely within 5 minutes. This also provides them with confidence for that fateful show day when they wake up sick- they already know that they can work through it.
Also, if your child is not there, all the other actors who are in a scene with them don't get to rehearse properly.
The main thing however, is to keep an open dialogue with me, if your child is off sick, let me know so I can change my rehearsal plan around and possibly bring in another student to read in for their part. If you don't let me know, I'm going to spend the first 15 mins or so pushing rehearsal back, thinking you're running late.
For those students who I have booked a space to see outside of their normal class time, it is completely unacceptable not to give me any notice.
Extra Sunday rehearsals covering the absences for IB Advanced are not covered within the budget- so please don't stand me up!
