The Messenger - The Drama within the Drama

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Monday, 08 September 2008

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The Drama within the Drama

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Written by Chick Moorman

...when one of my
students makes a
mistake, I rejoice.
It gives me an
exciting opportunity
to help all my
students learn to
become more effective
human beings.

The annual Board of Education dinner was running smoothly. The meal was hot, tasty, and filling. Entertainment, provided by the high school’s drama club, consisted of a short play acted by several juniors and seniors. It was intended to be light and lively, leaving the audience entertained and amused. It didn’t work out that way.

The students performed flawlessly as the presentation began. Their timing was impeccable, and the audience roared at all the right moments. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Then it happened.

Suddenly, the young man who had the lead role paused in the center of the stage and took on that deer-in-the-headlights look that signaled he had forgotten his next line. He froze and stared straight ahead. A prompt came from offstage. He began, but halted again, looking frightened. Another prompt came from the wings.

Everyone in the audience could hear the prompt. But for some reason, the student who stood center stage did not. He chose to bolt. He turned, walked off to his right, and disappeared. (Later it was discovered that he had walked out of the school, jumped in his car, and gone home.)

The crowd was visibly taken aback. The drama instructor waited momentarily to see if the student would return. When he did not, the instructor walked out on stage with the script in hand and read the missing student’s lines. The play continued with this drama teacher reading the necessary lines, while the other students played out their roles.

Board members applauded at the end. The remaining performers took the customary curtain call and smiled at the appreciation and recognition they received. But when the curtain closed for the final time, the instructor surfaced from behind the curtain and began to speak.

“Some of you may be wondering how our lead actor is doing,” he began. “I don’t know yet, but I can assure you the end result will be positive. This incident will be an incredible learning experience for everyone in class, including me.

“What you saw was a young man stumble and fall. My job, as a professional educator, is to help him and the other students learn how to get back up from a fall. We will be working on this first thing tomorrow morning.

“Another responsibility of mine is to help young people learn to encourage and support others who have stumbled. This incident will provide me with the opportunity I need to teach that lesson. All of my students will get to practice this tomorrow.

“These are the lessons I live for as a teacher. I don’t really teach drama, I teach human beings. So when one of my students makes a mistake, I rejoice. It gives me an exciting opportunity to help all my students learn to become more effective human beings.

“Thanks for inviting us to present.”

A long pause ensued. It was followed by a standing ovation.

CHICK MOORMAN is the author of “Spirit Whisperers: Teachers Who Nourish A Child’s Spirit,” and “Our Classroom: We Can Learn Together.” He is one of the world’s foremost authorities on raising responsible, caring, confident children. He publishes a free monthly e-zine for educators and another for parents. To sign up, order a book, or obtain more information about how he can help you or your group meet your staff development or parenting needs, visit his website today: www.chickmoorman.com or www.personalpowerpress.com.

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