What is FATE?
FATE
stands for the Florida Association for Theatre Education. It began in
1979 when a group of Thespian sponsors decided something needed to be
done to save theatre arts in Florida. We are small but mighty.
Why should I join FATE?
FATE
is the major voice speaking for theatre education in Florida,
advocating for inclusion of the arts as core curriculum, reminding
legislators and administrators that it is theatre and the other arts
that develop the skills essential to students’ success. We are the only
professional organization speaking to legislators, DOE and the public on
behalf of you and every Theatre Arts educator in the state. You need to
add your voice to ours; the more FATE members there are, the louder our
voice.
At the same time, you will receive frequent updates and calls to action when something in Tallahassee is threatening your program. You can also tap into a wealth of knowledge through contact with other members who have faced and overcome the kind of obstacles confronting you.
I am already a Thespian sponsor, what is the difference?
ITS
is for the students; FATE is for you Stay up to date with legislation
that could affect your programs, learn the latest techniques and
curriculum, be aware of how theatre helps meet not only state, school,
and district level academic goals, but also supports success on
standardized tests. Know that you are not alone as drama is mostly a
“one person operation”, learn more about theatre certification and so
much more. ITS and FATE must go hand in hand. FATE is what prepares you
for your students and helps you help them.
How do you handle the “drama” that comes with a drama department in order to bring the troupe together?
The
best way is to stop it before it happens. Be sure to document the
“episodes” as those are usually the students who can come back and haunt
you. Plan a Leadership Day with your troupe like a mini retreat day.
Think about eventually doing one in your district. It will naturally
separate the “Sarah Bernhardt’s” because the students will take care of
it for you.
Can you just have parent fundraisers without calling it a Booster Club?
Absolutely.
As long as your school and district rules are followed for fundraisers,
by all means let your parents be involved without the extra paperwork
and responsibility.
How do I start a Booster Club without allowing the parents to take over?
Having
a Booster Club has its plusses and minuses. If you want to start a
club, be sure all the rules and regulations how the club will be
organized are clearly documented totally in writing. Develop a mission
statement. Be very clear where the money will be and how it will be
spent. While you cannot handle funds, you can make the decisions how it
is to be used. The Booster Club is for you, your students and your
program. Talk to your band director at school to help you with how to
get started. Inquire at FATE or online as there are some drama booster
clubs throughout the state.
Do you have (or want to have) a technical theatre class at your school?
Technical
Theatre Design and Production courses (previously called
Stagecraft) are state courses available for all schools in Florida.
Several departments have Technical Theatre classes because it helps with
your program’s opportunity to reach a variety of students. While most
drama teachers are stronger in performance, offering Technical Theatre
gets those students involved who like being behind the scenes. Many of
teachers have local community and university people, as well as
experienced high school Technical Theatre teachers help them get the
class off the ground. You have a wonderful resource of such teachers in
FATE. Check us out. And having a Technical Theatre class makes getting
those sets done a lot easier!
My district job is to get our adjudicators. Where can I start?
Start
right here. Who better to ask than theatre educators from around the
state who know exactly what you need. Many FATE members are willing and
able to be adjudicators.
I am having some difficulty
with a play selection at my school. What can I do to convince my
administrator and parents that the production is worthy for us to do?
Let
those concerned read the script and explain what and how you are
planning to do it. Emphasize the importance of why you need to be true
to the script. Make a copy of the FATE Freedom statement and let the
committee read it. Check with other FATE members who have done the
production and what were the reactions. Align and integrate the
production with another curriculum like doing To Kill A Mockingbird with
the English department.
Are there any successful recruiting techniques for a greater variety of students, especially boys?
Some
of us have seen big changes thanks to all the High School Musicals, and
shows like Glee as our students walk in with an interest in the
performing arts already, but recruitment can be a challenge still in
many schools. Try “bring a friend” meetings, or talking to other
organizations on campus who might be in the off season such as sports
teams or marching band where students (and their parents and coaches)
may be looking for activities to keep them busy after school. Also try
enlisting teachers who already support your program to help with
recruiting by talking it up in their classes. Most of all make your
program one that welcomes newcomers with frequent low-commitment and
social activities where anyone is welcome. Make it a mission of your
program to grow, and consider a membership or recruitment student
officer position to help work on it all year