Teacher Friendly Programs/Plays by Caroline Mackay

Thirty seven years spent in an ordinary average classroom has given me a lot of insight into what is a teacher friendly program. Teacher friendly programs realize that teachers are always under the gun when it comes to time. Their time for putting on a program is very limited with all the other things that require their time.

Teacher friendly programs should allow for changes by the teacher without ruinning the message. These programs should allow teachers to use music and materials that they are already familiar with. They should not require a lot of props, staging, scenery and decorations. Costumes should be simple enough that most students can get their own. These programs should be able to be rehearsed in sections so that not all the students need to be there. Last of all they should encourage audience participation and individual student talents.

Teacher friendly programs should be written in sections so that if a teacher doesn’t like a part they can eliminate it without hurting the message of the program.

Teacher friendly programs should allow teachers to use music, poems and other things that they are already familiar with so that they don’t have to take the time to learn new things.

Teacher friendly programs should not require a lot of time in preparing stage props, scenery, and decorations.

Teacher friendly programs should require very little wardrobe time. Something very simple just to suggest a costume such as a hat.

Teachers friendly programs should be written in sections that require a group. Then each group can be rehearsed separately and then the teacher can put them all together just shortly before the program is to be shown.

Teacher friendly programs should last of all allow the teacher to have the audience participate and let individual students display exceptional talents. Such as gymnastics, pianists, artists, soloists, dancers.

All of these qualities will make for a program that is easy for a teacher to produce it in a limited amount of time.