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By Lindsay Price

Everything Is a Learning Experience: 10 Takeaways for When Your Production Goes Off the Rails

You’ve been there: The cast is fighting. No one knows their lines. The set isn’t finished, and opening night is in two days.

Maybe the flu has swept through your cast, or maybe the whole production just feels cursed. You start thinking, “I just want to walk away from this play altogether.”

But in educational theatre, every disaster is also a lesson in disguise. Here are 10 takeaways for every drama educator when a show doesn’t go as planned. Because in theatre, even chaos can teach us something.

1. Choose the right show for your timeframe.

A full-length production might sound exciting, but it demands longer rehearsals than most in-class time allows. If you’re teaching during 40-minute class periods, pick a script that fits the rhythm of your school schedule. A one-act may save your sanity, and your students’ energy.

2. Understand the true scope of the script.

Some plays look simple on paper, until you dive in. For example, dialogue-heavy scripts like Steel Magnolias are deceptively complex. Six actors sitting around a salon can feel endless when the pacing, overlapping lines, and emotional beats all need perfect timing.

3. Make sure you KNOW what you’re getting into with double-casting.

It sounds inclusive: “Let’s double-cast so everyone gets a part!” But it can quickly turn into twice the confusion: competing interpretations, uneven rehearsal time, and unnecessary comparisons. Sometimes it’s better to expand the crew or ensemble instead.

4. Balance education and aesthetic.

Every teacher faces this question: Are we teaching students or producing shows? The answer is both. But when chaos hits, remember: The educational process always wins. If everyone learned something, even from failure, then the production was a success.

5. Don’t try to do it all.

Directing, designing, painting, costuming, lighting, and managing a cast? Impossible. Let students lead and own parts of the process. Yes, they’ll make mistakes. But they’ll also grow. Educational theatre is about the process, not perfection.

6. Celebrate hidden growth.

Sometimes what looks like failure is just preparation. A student who struggled one year might come back stronger the next. One student who fumbles costume design might excel in makeup and hair design. It’s all proof that resilience builds artistry.

7. Let go (and laugh) when it all falls apart.

The set may be finished minutes before the show. The lights might die mid-scene. You might perform half the show by lamplight. Laugh anyway. Adaptability is one of the greatest lessons theatre teaches. The audience will remember the story, not the chaos.

8. Ask for help.

You don’t have to go it alone. Reach out to local artists, community directors, or other teachers. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes will spot the simple fix you missed. Theatre is collaborative by nature — lean into that.

9. Find your theatre tribe.

Many drama teachers are “departments of one,” but that doesn’t mean you’re isolated. Online educator communities are full of teachers who’ve been where you are. When you’re two weeks from opening and everything’s on fire, sometimes all you need is to hear: “Me too.”

10. Remember: The show will open, and the show will close.

No matter how chaotic things get, the show will end. You’ll breathe again, reflect, and even laugh about it later.

BONUS: Failure isn’t the end. It’s the curriculum!

Theatre is where chaos meets creativity. Lights will fail. Cues will be missed. Sets will wobble. But that’s the beauty of it, because in educational theatre, failure is just another form of rehearsal.

When your next production starts to unravel, take a deep breath, trust the process, and remember: Every show, even the messy ones, make your students stronger performers, and you, a stronger teacher.

CLICK HERE for a Post-Show Reflection Sheet. Keep notes on the successes and stumbles of your production so you can strengthen the process next time.

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Podcast

When a Play Goes Wrong

Episode 204: When a Play Goes Wrong Have you been there? The cast is fighting, no one knows their lines, maybe the flu has swept through the entire school. There are times when opening night is approaching and you are sure you won’t be ready. Drama Teacher Lea Marshall shares her experience with the play that went wrong, what she learned and what she’ll change for next time. In educational theatre, EVERYTHING is a learning experience!

Podcast

Theatrefolk Podcast: Is a Moment of Brilliance Worth It?

Episode 44: Is a Moment of Brilliance Worth It?This podcast starts a series of talks between Lindsay and Craig on the plays they saw during their trip to England. The first show was “Being Tommy Cooper” and the question of the podcast is this: Is a moment of brilliance worth an otherwise mediocre show?

Teaching Drama

What motivational words would you offer a struggling drama teacher?

As theatre educators, we typically do what we do because of a passion for both theatre and teaching. When our students struggle, we’re often the first ones in their corner cheering them on. But what happens when we’re the ones struggling? When the daily stresses and frustrations add up until you feel like the show can’t go on? We went straight to the source to get the inside scoop from those who’ve been there: drama teachers. We asked: What motivational words would you offer a struggling drama teacher? Have funLet yourself play — and let the kids play! Stop, drop, and goof around! (Julia B.) If you can laugh and your students can laugh every lesson, then you’re doing it right! Teach the students to look after their voices so you can look after yours! (Robert D.) Have fun with it, show them how much you love it. The more excited you get about what you are teaching, the more excited they will get about what you are teaching. Share that love you have for it with them! (Misty R.) Learn to laugh. We’re all fallible and so are the kids. Learn to enjoy the process together. You are all developing artists. Learn to grow together. (David V.) Find the magicRemember when you first had that awe-inspiring moment of, “It’s magic!” in the theater? You get to set up the structure for an unsuspecting kid to get hit with that same amazing moment. (Rachel W.) Remember why you do thisRemember that teacher who inspired you as a kid. (Aoife H.) Remember your WHY!!!! (Claire L.) Don’t look at the big picture. Find the little moments, a student who finally “gets it” or a moment of connection you had with a group. It’s the little moments that get you through, especially in a job where we’re usually the only one there. (Andi C.) Theatre skills are life skills. Your students may never use these skills for acting but they’ll always have them for use in life. (Zack P.) It’s all about relationships! Work on relationships. (Andy L.) It’s not always easyIf everything is easy and everyone is comfortable, you’re doing it wrong. (Scott G.) It gets better. (Joshua D.) It’s a temporary glitch. Trust in your skills and knowledge. You’ve got this! (Heidy P.) Teaching is a lot like tech / “hell” week. You remember all of the things that are going wrong, and sometimes don’t have time to acknowledge all of the really awesome things happening. You feel like the whole thing is a mess. But, in the end, most people see a lovely end product and applaud all of that hard work you did. In the same vein, there are others with you in other schools (or “productions,” with this analogy) who see what you’re doing and realize exactly how much of you went into what the public sees. You are not alone, but you ARE trained and ready for this! (Kathryn H.) What you do mattersYou are planting seeds of growth and in time the fruits of your labor will flourish. (Andrea K.) You will make a difference if you continue to expose them to theater. Kids have so much fun. (Nadine J.) They may not tell you this but you may be the reason some kids attended school today. (TD) A good teacher is one who knows they know nothing and starts from the heart. (Andrea S.) You’re the whole reason some of the kids in your class can express themselves at all! (Stephen C.) The journey is every bit as important as the end product. Encourage students to stop and smell the greasepaint along the way. When you engage students in creative play, improv, rehearsal, and performance, you are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime. (Kathi T.) You matter and your work matters, so much! (OTC) Your work is important, vital, and necessary. (Sarah L.) Keep some perspectiveThe show will go up. The show will come down. You will be in your yoga pants. Borrowing from someone who said it to me. (Jennifer P.) Remind yourself that they are just high schoolers (or whatever grade level you teach). They are really good at acting like adults 75% of the time and that can make it hard to remember that they are still kids and will still do dumb things. Love them through it. It’s worth it. (Brittany M.) It’s not the bells and whistles, use what you have to make it work. We don’t have a theatre, but have a successful program due to imagination, practice, and fun! (Beth G.) Make self-care a priorityIt’s okay to take days off. Rest is important. (Tabitha C.) Those relaxation/breathing exercises you do with your kids? DO THEM. Always remember the BIG PICTURE. (Andy R.) Take five. Sometimes you learn the most by listening to them talk to each other. (Shannon R.) It takes a villageAsk for help. You’re not alone. Make a list and then figure out what can be taken off your plate or done by others. (Christa D.) Pace yourself. Don’t compare your program to others. Always keep the kids in mind. Make friends with the coaches, custodians, secretaries, and bookkeeper. They are amazing people who will provide you with support. Ask for what you need. You’ll never know if you don’t try! Find joy in the little things. (Carolyn G.) You don’t have to do it all by yourself. Find the allies in your school. Set up a system for parent, community, and alumni volunteers. And remember that this is educational theatre and you are working with earnest amateurs. Allow yourself and others an extra measure of patience and grace. (Erin M.) You’ve got thisLife is like a big box seat. You never miss a thing and you’re in total control. (Fiona Y.) You’re doing it right. It’s a process for everyone. (Anne M.) Just keep showing up! (Corianna L.) The show must go on! Seriously, you will get the hang of it! (Caitlin P.) The show is going to come together and it will be great! Enjoy the ride! (Kelly R.)

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