Musical Study Hall: A Quote Story
April 8, 2019
This month, the LFHS Theater Department is extremely busy as they prepare to put on the production of All Shook Up beginning on April 25th. With all the hustle and bustle that comes with preparing for the musical, many students have talked about the intense numbers of hours spent practicing.
As explained to me by senior Grayson Pruett, rehearsals begin after school and typically end around 6:30 pm. However, as the show more quickly approaches, the rehearsals can last anywhere from 8:30-9:45 pm each night. On top of these long practices, the theater kids are pressed to learn their lines on their own time. They also must come to practice with dance numbers and blocking (movements/ stage directions) memorized as well. While doing these things after practice, all students have to work on character assessment, which is often a challenge in and of itself.
With all this preparation, many theater students feel that it is unfair that they don’t receive any type of study hall. Oftentimes, they are spending more time practicing than sports teams who have an Athletic Study Hall every day. LFHS theater students were asked to share their opinions on this matter with The Forest Scout.
“You spend just as much time outside of school, but a lot of people think there is no physical activity. I would tell those people to try and dance for three hours a day and ask if they want an extra study hall to get their homework done,” said Alec Boyd.
“I completely understand that the work of student-athletes is incredibly grueling in many ways that music or theater are not, but being involved in a musical that rehearses for 3 1/2 hours with intense choreography, singing, and character study is grueling in its own way. I usually don’t get home until around 8:00 every night just because I have to accomplish tasks for my family, my job, and for many other extraneous purposes, as do many others. Tech weeks are especially hard for performers because rehearsals don’t get out until around 9:00 pm and it is easy to lose your focus when trying to accomplish homework after such a strenuous rehearsal. students involved in the arts work just as hard as students involved in athletics, and one genre of after school activity should not be deemed more deserving than another for a study hall.This past year, I have been in three shows that have all started right after the previous one ended, so I had no “off time” from rehearsing every day after school. I don’t think I’ve been home before 6:00 pm since early September. This kind of schedule is almost identical to that of student-athletes. Although theater is, by nature, not as physically strenuous as most sports, it is still a draining activity that requires dedication and drive. Having the opportunity for an arts-related study hall would lift a huge weight off of my shoulder,” said Kailey Albus.
“Because there are so many things that go into a musical, learning songs, dance numbers, lines and acting you are expected to be memorized by a certain point and you are expected to relatively know the dance the next time it is run otherwise you are cut. Typically people find the time to memorize lines during a study hall if they don’t have an abundance of work. It is a lot of work, and most of the leads take voice lessons and prep for hours outside of school and rehearsal on their song. So it does take a lot of time and a lot out of someone. There has never really been a push to get a study hall, but it’s always been a topic among theatre kids; we put so much effort into the shows because it’s what we love to do, but it can be difficult to stay on top of academics. Ask any theater kid, I’m sure they would say their time devoted to academics dwindles significantly during the musical,” said Grayson Pruett.
“As we get closer to the show, usually our rehearsals go super late and end around 9:00 pm when we start directly at 3:30 after school. At that rehearsal, we are constantly moving around between blocking and choreography so we are definitely putting all our effort into what we are doing,” said Nikole Tzioufas.
“Having been involved with 12 productions over my three years at the high school, it would greatly loosen my stress if I had a study hall. When my classmates have an athletic study hall for a sport that sometimes practices less than we do, it seems unfair that we work just as hard on the activity that we love to not be given the time we need to excel in our academics as well, like the students in sports have. I understand that everyone in high school has to meet the standard fitness requirements, but some winter sports, like swimming, don’t start until mid-November, yet the students who swim get an athletic study hall for the whole semester, allowing them almost three full months of no in school athletic activity before their sport starts, not to mention all of our musicals have three months of dancing that we rehearse at least three times a week, giving us the fitness requirement we need for almost an entire semester. In the high school productions, especially the spring musical, which lasts from the beginning of February all the way until the last weekend of April, the rehearsal schedules require us to be on stage almost all the time from 3:30 until 6:00, 6:30, and even 7:00 every night, and when we aren’t on stage, we are expected to be rehearsing by ourselves. Even at home, we have to work on our characters or our music in order to be memorized for the next rehearsal of that scene, something most sports players don’t do. Then, when it’s show week, we have full dress rehearsals from 3:30 until 9:00 pm for the entire week, sometimes two weeks, in order to have the show ready for our three nights of performances. During that time, we have virtually no time to work on our academics because we have to be ready for our entrances and in the dressing rooms, we are busy switching costumes and doing hair and makeup. For some shows, we have Saturday rehearsal, not to mention building the set for the show as well. For all these reasons mentioned above, kids who participate in the theater productions at school should at least have a study hall for the duration of the show they are in,” said Laine Gamrath.
“Theater kids put in the same amount of time and effort that athletic kids do and some rehearsals can be just as draining. It may seem like fun and games but we are ultimately striving for perfecting our craft just as athletes do and it’s difficult to juggle that and school work at the same time,” said Zach Demet.
“All the students who participate in theater are so dedicated. As the show date has come closer, I hear all the kids talking about how long practices are and how much physical and emotional work it takes. I think that these kids should get recognition for all the work they put in, and it should be realized by the school how many after school hours the preparation for the musical is. I think that if the theater kids had a study hall, like the debate team and other non-athletic activities, all the students would be under a lot less pressure and be able to practice and perform at their peak,” said Kenleigh Theis.
“A lot of people in theatre have either dance or singing lessons after rehearsal; personally I don’t get back home until 10 o’clock sometimes. I feel that it is unrealistic to juggle after-school activities and AP/honors classes. I would say the majority of people in theater get under five hours of sleep per night, which is not enough to perform well in our classes and other activities,” said Cara Page.
“There is a consensus on the fact that it’s nearly impossible to get a study hall for theater kids, but that this article could be written to bring awareness to it and alleviate the workload during show week and the weeks leading up to the shows!” said an anonymous LFHS student.
A special thanks to Grayson Pruett for all the help in gathering quotes and giving information to write this article!
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Forest Scout Reader's Not Politically Correct Brother • Aug 28, 2019 at 8:50 am
@Forest Scout Reader Mom says you need to get off the internet and clean you room.
Casey Murray • May 4, 2019 at 5:58 pm
This discussion seems to have fizzled out, but I would nonetheless like to comment for the record that IHSA is not an official state-sponsored agency and is itself not regulated by the state of Illinois, so the fact that theatre is not recognized by IHSA is irrelevant. IHSA does not grant athletic study halls; that is done by school boards pursuant to Section 27-6(b) of the Illinois School Code, 105 ILCS 5.
a HiStOrIaN • Apr 18, 2019 at 6:38 pm
Lmao it’s called athletic study hall for a reason. But there could be theatre study halls, just a suggestion
A Forest Scout Reader • Apr 15, 2019 at 8:57 am
I really don’t see the point of a musical study hall. Shoot, I don’t see the point of an athletic study hall. What is it rewarding? “Oh, you play football so we’re going to give you another study hall to do your work?” If a student is so concerned about not having enough time to get work done in Study Hall, then sign up for a second one. “Well, I don’t have enough time in my schedule.” Well then drop your elective. Athletic study hall is really just a joke.
Pierce Docherty • Apr 12, 2019 at 10:02 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6aJZTRJ-eo
Why is a name required? • Apr 10, 2019 at 11:07 pm
I think there a much more valid criticism of this proposition regards plausibility. While many responses claim that theatre is as demanding as a sport, it is not classified by IHSA as such. Therefore, it is not regulated by the state and the state can not grant exemption of physical education to club members under current rules. One option would be to turn it into a sport, but as drama does not fit the dictionary definition of a sport (an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment), as there is no active, opposing competitor, this is unlikely to be accepted. The other potential option would be to appeal to the IHSA to change their policy on giving clubs study halls but this leads to an array of issues onto itself such as deciding which activities qualify, whether or not there is an hour requirement, etc. I personally feel that even if one plows through the disheartening bureaucracy of high school sports administrators, they would be hard pressed to successfully change this rule.
a historian • Apr 10, 2019 at 10:22 pm
Hi all, welcome back, it’s your favorite historian,
Just wanted to let the latest antagonist to the LFHS theatre department who didn’t do their homework just like the last person know that us theatre kids do not just rehearse and perform plays for one month per semester. If you did have the sense to look at the school calendar, you would know that our theatre auditions for the first show of the year start about two weeks before the school year starts (around the same time as fall sports tryouts) and the theatre season doesn’t end until the first week of May. In these 8 months of the school year, there are 5 shows jam-packed and overlapped on top of each other, with not a single week off in between shows. The Fall Play, Freshman/Sophomore Play, and Winter Play all range from about 6-10 weeks in length, including rehearsals on Saturdays, and the musical goes from the beginning of February to the last weekend of April, equaling 3 months of rehearsals every single day. Also, to say that physical activity is more difficult than what we do in theatre is just downright wrong— we put in hours of extra practice, breaking ourselves down and building ourselves up, to become a completely different person with a complete backstory and motive and have to interact with some of our closest friends who also become completely different people in the blink of an eye. Realism is one of the most mentally frustrating concepts a person can master, and to be able to maintain that for long periods of time is draining on levels few high schoolers can understand. We’ve gone over the dance thing, so I won’t reiterate that again. And finally, don’t say you speak for “anyone else at the high school” because I’m sure many other people would find that offensive because while they may have never participated in any arts activity in their entire high school career, they still support their fellow classmates and probably wouldn’t want you putting these ignorant, prejudiced, and hateful words in their mouths. Thank you, hope you learned something from this history lesson.
Shady figure who lurks in the boys freshman bathrooms all day • Apr 10, 2019 at 9:53 pm
Quick comment in regards to the bit about the “socially challenged” bit about the theater kids. Just wanted to highlight how I view sports as a way to get to hang and meet new people and share a comment interest. Is there something so wrong with the enjoyment of an after-school activity, regardless of warrant of an “Athletic Study-hall”? I personally found your *Ahem* choice of words twords those involved in a theater class to be quite saddening as you clearly care a great deal in regards to this issue however conveyed your emotions in an unsuccessful way. Props to you, however, for successfully creating such an interesting dialogue in this school, really cool.
Once again a Forest Scout Reader • Apr 10, 2019 at 9:32 pm
Hi Yet Another Forest Scout Reader,
First of all, I want to start this off by saying I respect your opinion and I understand your point of view. However, I thought I should just inform you of some facts I assume you’re unaware of based upon your comment from the perspective of a student who played a sport their freshman year and has participated in the musical each year of high school. I also understand that this is a very long response, but I ask you to bear with me and read through it to understand someone with an opposing viewpoint’s perspective.
1. In your comment, you stated that the musical only rehearses one month a year. Auditions are actually held the first week of February, which are followed by rehearsals through the months of February, March, and April up until performances, which are always the last weekend of the month. In total, that means that students dedicate approximately 3 months of the school year toward the show- just as long as the majority of seasons for sports at the school. Rehearsal is typically from 3:30-6 Mondays through Fridays, to which they are extended until hours later in April. If we’re getting technical, the extra half hour we rehearse in comparison to sports would add up to 2.5 hours, which would be equivalent to the time spent practicing on a Saturday. Long story short, the amount of time students in the musical and students in sports are practically equivalent.
2. Another point you addressed was how students in the musical shouldn’t receive a study hall because it’s only an activity that goes on for a limited time of the year. However, by that logic, shouldn’t athletic study hall end for students once their sport’s season is over? For students who play a winter sport, they get to choose whether their athletic study hall is first or second semester, despite their sport not occurring for the majority of the semester. Going off a policy of limited participation for the year doesn’t really work when both the musical and seasons of sports are both the same length of time.
3. Unfortunately, what has happened with this article is that the comments have largely diverted from the actual question the article is proposing into a debate of the musical vs sports. Your comment, along with the one originally posted, does somewhat address the question of whether musical students are deserving of a study hall, but it also sidetracks into bashing the legitimacy of the musical. While I think you don’t do it to an extent as offensive the original comment, you’re not exactly innocent either. Saying the memorization of lines requires less skill than memorizing formulas for math or chemistry is just incorrect. From an academic standpoint, formulas are only memorized for you to utilize to plug into a problem on a test or be quizzed at. When it comes to lines, not only does the average principle role in a musical have 100+ lines (which, by the way, can range from one sentence to paragraphs of text), they also have to not just recite, but perform what they are saying. Theater doesn’t lend itself to simply “plugging and chugging” your lines- you have to take into account delivery of the line, facial expression, any physical moment, its impact on the plot line, and many other factors. Most people struggle with just getting up and speaking in front of their class for a brief presentation- a musical requires people to get in front of hundreds of their peers for normally around 2 hours, going off of nothing but memory. This doesn’t even include the music aspect of a musical, which piles additional memorization of not only more words but also notes, rhythms, and dynamics. In this years musical, there’s over 20 songs in it that each actor is expected to carry throughout the show. I invite any athlete to attempt to memorize hundreds of lines as well as 100+ pages of music on top of their schoolwork. And I have the utmost respect for those in the musical who also juggle athletics and schoolwork- the musical alone is a big enough time commitment.
I don’t believe it was anyone’s intention to say the level of dance in the musical was the same level as the dance team. No one in the musical thinks that, and of course it makes sense that their dance is a higher skill level and intensity when their main focus is dance. In a musical, because singing and acting are also factors in shows, dance is not what we spend all our rehearsal time doing. However, we do typically devote multiple rehearsals each week to learning new dances and rehearsing them. In fact, per week we probably spend the same amount of time on dance as we do in physical activity in most gym classes. I have taken gym classes such as TA Training and Healthy Lifestyles, where there were 2 activity days on average per week. The amount of time we spend dancing meets, if not exceeds, the physical activity I have spent in those classes. I have also taken the dance class offered for gym, and the level of dancing definitely is on par, if not at a higher level (to reiterate, I am not saying we perform at the same level Poms does), with the dance I did in that class.
The main thing that sticks out to me in your comment is the hypocrisy within it. You state that you aren’t trying to undermine the hard work or credit actors put in, only to later state that athletes practice and give their best effort more often than students in the musical? If you meant the latter of those two statements to just be in terms of time, I already discussed earlier on how the amount of time both activities devote to practicing are equal, but it comes off to me as if you believe athletes put in more effort into what they do than those are theater. I could go on and on about how that previous statement is wrong, but I don’t think I need to. Theater and sports are completely different mediums- they require different things out of their participants and are trying to accomplish different things. For a show I was in last winter, I had to get myself to break down and cry on stage, which was incredibly difficult to do not just one time, but repeat it each night in rehearsal and for the shows. Once again, this isn’t the same thing that an athlete does, but it’s draining and requires lots of training and effort in order to be successful, just like a sport. Although I’ve gone on somewhat of a tangent, I just want to bring it back to how I believe students in the musical deserve a study hall because they are putting in the physical activity at rehearsals outside of the school day most gym classes at LFHS require us to do. I’m not saying its as involved as a sport or the dance team, but it for sure surpasses the physical activity minimum students are required to complete. Just to clarify, the study hall being proposed would be for second semester for the spring musical, not the Fall or Winter plays which don’t include dancing/physical activity to the same extent that the musical does.
I hope you learned something out of what I’ve written above. To me, it just seems as if you aren’t really well informed to what the musical entails. I’m a firm believer in the idea that knowledge is power, and I invite you to come see the spring musical so you could see what you are actually arguing about. Tickets are for sale here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=lfhs . I understand that theater is not everyone’s cup of tea, just like how I wouldn’t enjoy watching certain teams play their sport. However, if you choose to stand by your original comment, it’s only fair that you have some personal experience that you can attest to for your reasoning, since it is clear you weren’t previously knowledgeable on the matter. I invite you to respond down below to me, and I’d be happy to here your response to what I said. I still respect your opinion, and I hope you do the same for me.
i forgot • Apr 10, 2019 at 9:18 pm
Yes you’re right, the dances for the varsity and JV dance team at school are one hundred percent harder than the dances in the musical. Sports are definitely more physically challenging than the plays, but unless you have been in one of these shows, it is hard to tell just how hard it is to be in one of these shows. Just like how I can’t even imagine what every athlete at school has to go through every single day. I have a ton of respect for all of the athletes at our school, all we ask in return is that we receive the same respect.
24601 • Apr 10, 2019 at 9:11 pm
-Yet Another Forest Scout Reader,
No worries, you won’t get 50 responses from fuming LFHS Theater Alums… The theater community is one of inclusion and acceptance. All are welcome in our Fun Home. We don’t judge nor cast aspersions on others or their activities. We understand, we can’t all come and go by bubble and appreciate that everybody has opinions but that doesn’t make them true. Today you’re you and thats enough. Whilst others might rise up and take umbrage at the inaccuracies of your comments regarding the time commitments of plays/musicals or reference “glass houses”, we accept you nonetheless. We understand that we’ve been changed for the better. Come on Scouts! Before we kiss today goodbye, it’s time for us all to decide who we are? There is no day but today! All that said, I know you’re competitive and need for there to be a winner in this (likely why you jumped in..), so there remains good news for you as I’m told the meek will one day inherit the earth…and all that jazz…
anon • Apr 10, 2019 at 8:53 pm
This isn’t about what activity is more strenuous than the next, therefor making it “more deserving” of a particular privilege. this is about the theatre department deserving respect in the same way that sports teams do. Based on the first and one of the more recent comments, it is apparent that some of the student body cannot grasp the fact that theatre is just as challenging as sports in its own way. At no point did any one comment claim that being apart of a show is harder than sports. People did, however, make reasonable claims by saying that theatre can challenge a person in a way that sports cannot, just like how sports can challenge you in ways that theatre can’t. Yes, this discussion initially started to raise awareness about the idea of having an arts related study hall, but it has now turned into people involved in the arts simply asking for others to respect their work in the way that they respect the work of athletes People who are heavily involved in the department dedicate so much time to make sure the productions can be the best they can, so no one has the right to say that sports players work harder to do the same thing these arts kids are trying to do. In the same way, no one has the right to claim that theatre is harder than sports, but it is clear to me that these kids understand that. Based on my conversations with people in the theatre department, I don’t think any one of them cares more about having an arts related study hall than they do about getting people to recognize that their hard work should be noticed. It doesn’t matter which activity is more strenuous, so anyone arguing that “theatre kids should try weightlifting, swimming, or any other sport for a change” is offering a completely irrelevant point to the discussion; it is about the dedication and effort that is so evidently shown by these kids who clearly go unnoticed by a handful of ignorant people.
Zach Demet • Apr 10, 2019 at 7:51 pm
Almost all of the theater people know we won’t get the study hall that was mentioned in the article. However I believe there should be some recognition that what we do isn’t easy. It is time consuming and we do have late nights especially during show week. We are not less important than any other of the sport teams we have at this school. The only thing that got all of the theater people fuming was mainly the statement that we are inferior to those who play sports. We are all equals and if we’re inferior then so are you. You will most likely get more comments about this and if you want to complain to me, you know where to find me.
Thanks for your time,
Zach Demet
Yet Another Forest Scout Reader • Apr 10, 2019 at 6:10 pm
Yes I’ve read each and every word of the responses to the first comment, and while I do agree with the fact that the play does take up a lot of time for the said actors/stage crew/etc, I feel that it is necessary that as stated in the article, they are only recently having to end rehearsals at 8:30-9:45 each night, and only partake in said musicals for a LIMITED PART OF THE SEMESTER/YEAR. I am not saying that they are not deserving of the credit and hard work that it takes to be an actor, but athletes at the school participate at a much more frequent pace, rather than 1 month a semester out of the year. Most sports hold practice/games almost every day of the week, sometimes including Saturdays. They are far more deserving of a study hall because they practice and give their best effort– and in my opinion is much more challenging things than memorizing and reciting lines– more often than those who participate in the school’s plays. Students memorize much more complex things than lines (chemical compounds and mathematics equations) during school, so I don’t see how you can compare memorizing lines to putting your body and mind through strenuous tasks such as sports. You also say that you “dance” during your plays, but trust me and anyone else at the high school thinks that anything you do in your plays blanches in comparison to the types of dance that the Varsity Dance team does at competitions, football games, and pep rallies.
Keep in mind that my opinions are as much as ideas, not the law, and hopefully don’t receive 50 responses from fuming “Proud LFHS Theater Alums who also play obscure, less challenging sports”.
Good Day.
-Yet Another Forest Scout Reader
Yet another Forest Scout reader • Apr 10, 2019 at 11:37 am
To the Forest Scout Reader,
Your statements about LFHS theater appear to be stemming from either prejudice or ignorance. However, I will give you the benefit of the doubt, and assume that your ignorance and severe lack of information is causing you to make such offensive comments about theater, and the talented and diverse group of people who are actively involved in LFHS’s theater program.
I am personally friends with many people who have been involved with the theater program in a number of ways, whether they are on stage or working behind the scenes in tech. Because of this, I am very aware of the hours of hard work and immense dedication that is required in order to successfully put on a play or musical of any kind.
Theater can be incredibly draining, both physically and mentally. Being in a theater production requires a constant effort to communicate in many different ways, both with one’s peers and with the audience. While theater may not be as physically demanding as some sports offered by LFHS, theater’s unique demands and long hours can be very taxing. Therefore, to say that sports are inherently better than theater solely by virtue of being more demanding would be a gross misunderstanding.
In addition, your statement that theater only exists for “less athletically and socially inclined students,” is not only incredibly offensive, it is also very inaccurate. I have had the good fortune of meeting some of the amazing and talented individuals that are involved in LFHS’s diverse and vibrant theater community, and to say that any of them are “less socially inclined” would be extremely untrue. Some of these people, in fact, are also involved in athletics as well as theater.
While I respect your right to your own opinion, I believe that what you are saying is ignorant and untrue. LFHS’s theater community is incredibly talented, hardworking, and dedicated to their craft, much like our athletes. If you would like some more insight into the dedication and effort that LFHS students put into theatre, I strongly encourage you to see All Shook Up. You might be surprised at how fast tickets sell out.
Anonymous • Apr 9, 2019 at 10:59 pm
I just wanted to take a monent to speak to the first commenter. Many before me have set the record straight, but I wanted to put my two cents into the discussion. As a varsity athlete, the argument that many of the plays are attended merely by parents which makes them less important is ridiculous in itself, as I have seen the LFHS theater productions sell out within days, sometimes hours, while several LFHS sports are usually far less attended. Friends of mine (theater performers and tech crew) work incredibly hard to make these shows happen, put blood sweat and tears into their plays, and work extra hours for weeks before the play even hits the stage to make sure it is the best that it can be. Many varsity sports only have about two to three hours of practice a day, 6 days a week. I have heard several accounts of actors and tech workers at school from 3:20 until 9, about 6 hours a day, 6 days a week when the show is getting closer. If I am receiving extra study hall time for these extra hours of work, then theater kids are undoubtedly no less deserving, in fact, due to their time, they are much more deserving of an extra study hall than I am. I absolutely agree with JD. LFHS should be a supportive environment, and you bet I will be at All Shook Up cheering on my friends as much as I can.
Just wanted to make that clear.
Sincerely,
a concerned LFHS Student
A LFHS Mom • Apr 9, 2019 at 9:28 pm
Great article. I love that it’s sparked so much thoughtful discussion here—therefore highlighting how VALUABLE AND INTELLIGENT these kids are who participate in theater and often SO many other useful endeavors as well, while at the same time sadly, highlighting how ignorant and small-minded some individuals are who devalue the talented kids around them, clearly making those destructive opinions irrelevant.
Ricky Again • Apr 9, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Hi again, I also wanted to say that we should get a study hall because homework is so hard to do with little time during rehearsals. We work on the acting, more than homework and this is our passion. I know homework should be first but when it comes to committing to what we love, we still try to get it done. But overall, we need to stop fighting because we are one big community and we should support each other. It’s like how we support the athletic kids by going to their games and going to those fundraisers, but you guys don’t support us and support is a big thing we need to learn as young adults. SO, come see All Shook Up, like how we come to your games. We are one school and need to show other schools our relationship with each other.
From Ricky Marchant
JD O'Keane, President • Apr 9, 2019 at 7:28 pm
Honestly, I don’t have much to say other than this: You stand for everything that a Lake Forest Scout is not. A Scout is accepting of others, no matter their interests. A Scout is always looking to support others, even if you are not that close. I am appalled that you would say such harsh things about such a talented community. LFHS should be a supportive environment, and there is no room for people like you to bring others down. I encourage everyone to have their own opinion, but this is just wrong. Although I have never participated in the Theater Department at LFHS, I will still give them all the support they need because that’s what a Scout does. You should be ashamed of what you said.
Yet another angry theatre kid • Apr 9, 2019 at 5:53 pm
Dear insensitive commenter,
Like many others, I am grossly offended by your comment. Now, before I start ranting about my theatre experience and all of the energy that goes into it I want to address this article. In my and rugby enthusiast Michael Daniels’ perspectives everyone that stays at school late should get an athletic study hall. I think the name “athletic” study hall might throw people off. People no matter what activity they do might come home late, and tired. Being high school students they will probably have homework too. Now, I think it is extremely insensitive to say that no one cares about theatre and that most parents are forced to go. I was recently in a production at Ravinia and the rehearsals and tech days for that show were exhausting. If people didn’t care about that show it wouldn’t have happened. May I mention that the tech day for that show was from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm. Also, why is there a compilation every year for theatre in the entire state of Illinois? I’m sure you’ve already heard enough from other people so I’ll end it here. Just maybe think before you go leaving comments and offending a bunch of theatre kids. They’re extremely competitive.
Man child • Apr 9, 2019 at 5:39 pm
If back in the day when people fought their disagreements out was the hard way, then I don’t know what to call this. Not saying fighting should come back, this was a joke.. sincerely an observing man child
Alec • Apr 9, 2019 at 4:32 pm
Hello concerned reader. I will try to approach this from an unbiased standpoint as to come to a conclusion and not a fight. I am truly sorry if I offended you with my statement of dance and yes, they pour blood sweat and tears into their art, but theater kids do the same. I’m not trying to say that we achieve the same level as the dance team, and that was not my main point. I was trying to stress the fact that we spend 3 hours a day trying to dance and act which is why we should get a study hall. I should have worded my statement better and I apologize for that.
On another note, I think you severely underestimated theater kids in general. I personally am playing my first season of waterpolo and intend to continue playing it next year and I also have done 7 years of competitive Latin dancing . So I too have poured my blood sweat and tears into sports.
Finally, it sounds like you yourself have never gone to a theater show itself or even participated in acting. Before you continue to argue against our side, please come and see what we do or join us in what we do. I played waterpolo to spend time with my friends and see what their life put side of school is like and I beckon to do the same!
Sincerely,
Alec Boyd
P.S. if you don’t change your mind on the topic after participating/seeing a show then by all means continue to disagree, but please stop insulting me and my friends for what we do with our time after school. We don’t do that for you so please don’t do that for us.
Ricky • Apr 9, 2019 at 4:07 pm
First comment. I am offended by how you said those things like that people don’t come and see our shows, but your wrong. So many people care for these shows. I have friends that come see shows that don’t even come to this school. I also want say that we work on singing, dancing and the acting for 3 hours or more. This is my first year at lfhs and I’ve worked with the upper grades and I think that they are the best people. When you said this is not school spirit, it is because school spirt is more than showing people what our school can do and our dedication. We try to entertain people like how you entertain people by getting them involved with joining to support you. We want people to leave feeling good and learn something. I bet a lot of this makes no sense, but I want to say how much acting mean to us. Thanks
Anon • Apr 9, 2019 at 1:07 pm
Unless you have personally participated in a play, a swim meet, or a football game, it is best to just keep opinions to one’s self. I have never been to a play or participated in theater, so It would be impossible for me to speak on what work goes into it. I haven’t participated in a football game either, so I also could never speak on what work goes into that either. Students are granted athletic study halls based off of the time that activities take up, not because of how much you lifted the night before causing you to be obligated to an extra study hall.
Gracie Stockton • Apr 9, 2019 at 8:03 am
I really appreciate everyone who contributed to this article – this is a big issue. As an LFHS Theatre Alum, I can speak to the long hours on your feet, outside lessons and practice, and rehearsal that participating in any theatre production requires. For those who believe it’s nothing like sports, I encourage you to think about the “teamwork” aspect. You can’t win a game without every team member putting in their best effort at every practice – the same goes for theatre. Not only does theatre require a high level of physical energy, like sports, it also drains you emotionally, since you’re required to be incredibly vulnerable and to make sure every person in that audience understands exactly what you’re saying, thinking, and feeling from up to a hundred feet away.
I’m currently a college student studying both theatre and journalism. The hours only get longer as you get older. I have classes from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at least four days a week. College theatre rehearsals then go from 6:30/7 to 10:30 p.m. for about six weeks, getting later and longer during tech weeks. Much of our in-class training focusing on the physicality of theatre and bodies in space. Fitness to perform is a necessity. Additionally, it is expected that actors participate in the technical aspects of theatre. For example, I must complete two practicums in a design component (scenic shop, costume shop, etc.), which is four hours a week for one college credit.
Putting on a single performance is brave. Committing to performing for all of high school or college on top of academics is laudable. Each of these students who contributed to this article deserves your praise and respect for all of the hard work they put in. Yes, athletes do too, but the system is built to accommodate them, which is why so many athletes attend college on full or partial scholarships. It is not built to accommodate the arts. If the goal of LFHS is to strive for excellence, then we must celebrate the work of all its students and ensure that every student has an equal playing field to do so.
aNoNyMoUs • Apr 9, 2019 at 7:02 am
Theatre kids have always received a bad rap from weird stereotypes developed in weird high school movie plots that call them “nerdy” or “antisocial”, when actually they are some of the nicest people and probably more talented than some sports players. Let’s just stop picking on this cool group of people and just GET ALONG. There are so many more things we can spend this “petty” energy on.
Sincerely,
An ally.
LFHS alum • Apr 9, 2019 at 1:12 am
Hi- As a graduate of lake forest high school who was heavily involved in theatre I would like to respond to the comment made above. I directed 7 shows at the high school in two years and my senior year had Sunday’s off every week and was working mon-sat from August through May. Theatre is something that has shaped my life in unspeakable ways and the experiences I gained at the high school had so much to do with that. I was more than just a theatre student though- I was a CROYA kid, musician, volunteer, NHS member, Girl Scout, and so much more just like every other kid in that department That being said I have never felt more worn out, exhausted, over-worked, but most of all rewarded than I was in the theatre department at the high school. I would have benefited greatly from an extra study hall as would any student that is part of an activity that keeps them at school until 6 on a lucky night. As mentioned above there is a lot of work outside of school that goes into a producation running lines, blocking, action and script analysis, character study, planning, promotion, and so much more. Our department is grossly under appreciated in the past few years we have almost if not doubled our numbers- we went from having 10 people audition for our winter production to 45 people auditioning. The quality and look of theatre at LFHS has skyrocketed in the past few years with essentially no praise as there would be for a sports team. In our theatre program we have a hand full of professional actors who are in the field doing incredible things and many students pursuing theatre at the moment. I understand fully the impact and pressure put on student athletes because I am related to a very committed one but there should not be a comparison – why can’t both be respected and appreciated. The hardship of being a student athlete is actually covered in modern day theatre quite a bit (try reading the wolves!!) as to the statement that no one comes to see the plays other than parents that is entirely untrue – both blackbox shows I was involved in last year sold out and people came in from other communities to see our shows and if I do recall correctly it was the athletes that were posting article after article about low attendance to their events last year not the theatre. I have learned an incredible amount from the theatre teachers and adults involved in the show and because of that I have found my calling and path in college. The students of LFHS theatre are doing incredible things in the professional field already. A group of our students is working with a theatre company in highland park where the entire cast, directors, stage managers, and designers are all from LFHS. As for theatre not being grueling I would like you to talk to the cast and crew of last years The Amish Project who has to put themselves in the place of the victims of, family of, and even the very person who shot up an Amish school house. The material was immensely upsetting and draining for all involved and was a movement based show meaning that actors were pretty much constantly on their feet. Or I would ask you to put yourself in the shoes of our actress that played belle last lead in Beauty and the Beast she ran around the whole show singing and dancing while wearing some of the heaviest and most difficult costumes I’ve come across in my career or Cole Joseph who had the stage to himself in last years Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon changing in and out of costumes and changing characters within seconds. I will leave it at that but I would suggest being a tad more educated before writing nasty things like that under articles.
Grayson Pruett • Apr 8, 2019 at 11:16 pm
A few things..Firstly, Ken, thank you so much for writing this article. Secondly, I could not be prouder to be a member of LFHS Theatre. I know many of my cast mates and I take personal offense to the statements made in the first comment. I believe one of the most important things in life is trying to understand people outside your scope of interests, it makes you more empathetic and well rounded. This is just a fact that will make your life more insightful and interesting. Everyone has something that makes their heart happy whether it be dance, theatre, soccer, or football, but just because you “don’t care” about a certain activity doesn’t make it less important than one you enjoy. Also, since you haven’t seen any productions at LFHS, it certainly is not okay to degrade a program that makes a lot of people happy. Whoever you are, although I’m all for stating your opinion, I just hope this makes you think about how your words can affect other people. I encourage you to come see the spring musical so you can form an educated opinion on the matter. If you personally feel the need to talk about this issue further, come find me, because hiding behind an anonymous profile and saying the things you did, not only hurts others, but also makes you a coward.
another forest scout reader? • Apr 8, 2019 at 10:52 pm
At LF, there is a clear bias in favor of athletics with the sheer frenzy before games, donned spirit wear, and overall turnouts at events. That is not to say that our athletes aren’t hard working or persevering; putting in countless hours into sports in order to push themselves to the best of their ability. They deserved to be recognized and applauded, yet often in the hype built around them much smaller, creative, and just as hardworking areas are overlooked.
The above comments have already done an amazing job pointing to the intensity of the theatre program, but as someone who has been active in a wide range of departments at LFHS, I firmly believe that each and every creative department has contributed just as much effort and just as many hours into this community. Think about the Tech Crew, who come in on Saturdays in order to make sure every element of a show runs smoothly. Think about many New Media students, many of whom spend numerous hours filming editing footage every week – for personal projects, for class projects, for major film festivals, and videos specifically for the community. Not to mention yearly events like 7 day, Talent Show, MMEA, Student Stories, TedX, the list goes on and on as committed, film school aspiring students stay at the school into the late hours of nine o’clock, even ten . Think about the countless posters donning the school walls, from service work in North Chicago to discussing social issues – many clubs such as Debate and ModelUN have full strenuous weekend conferences.
So in conclusion, yes – our athletes are dedicated, strong, and extremely hardworking. But there are many prominent students that make LFHS the prominent school that it is. These students are often placed behind the spotlight – and yet, they deserve an equal opportunity to gain a study hall in order to accel and keep up academically. Not to mention the students who do not play varsity sports at the high school, but partake in club sports the same, if not more, hours every week – but do not qualify for an athletic study hall. It is unjust and unrighteous.
And also, if you are worried about the physical portion of gaining an arts study hall – I’d point to solutions such as requiring a certain amount of hours logged of working out. Nonetheless, every student at LFHS deserves an equal opportunity and equal chances to succeed – and clearly, that is not the case right now.
Michael Daniels Varsity Football, Rugby, Theatre, Choir, and A Capella • Apr 8, 2019 at 10:28 pm
Part one was accidentally posted anonymously above.
2. What do these plays contribute to the school? That’s pathetic. I know you said less socially inclined students as some kind of jab, but I can tell you in my 5 months of theatre at the LFHS I havent met a more accepting and vibrant group of people in my life. These plays contribute funding to the school for one. Secondly they provide kids who are interested in pursuing fine arts in college, a proving ground. This is where we grow as actors, singers, and dancers so we can take our skills to the next level. They are not simply a past time for some people. For some people it’s their future and we should invest in that. We invest a lot of money in our sports teams at the high school and sometimes it seems the kids who pursue the fine arts get left behind in comparison. The arts provide real careers and opportunities unmatched by sports. The ignorance you must have in regards to these people. So theatre is just an alternative to loafing around at home? So its not a career and its not a training ground? If thats your argument than sports are exactly the same. Sports are just an alternative to sitting around at home. Because what would we athletes all do if we didnt have those sports. We would be at home loafing around as you said.
3. I play Football and Rugby. I know what it takes to be an athlete. I have spent countless hours weight lifting and practicing my skills. And I can tell you with all honesty that after many dance rehearsals I have found myself fatigued. Maybe its not quite to the same as playing a rugby game, but the amount of extra practice and quick thinking that goes into the rutines done in the musical is baffling. Its not always about the physical training. Its the mental hardships. Knowing your lines is just the start. You have to know your charecter, you have to know the ins and outs of what is going on in every scene at every moment. Theatre is a cut sport. If you don’t know your charecter and you havent prepared you can and will be cut. A lot of these sports are no cut, or in other words they dont require much more than just your presence.
I believe that we have dug up a huge problem at LFHS. Why is it that so little students do both theatre and sports? The way so many students look down on the theatre and music departments is disgusting. After watching my brothers filter through the high school I got the impression that LFHS was very much a fine arts school. In my opinion that turned out to be false. It seems to me that these departments are underfunded and underappreciated. Why arent there more kids that do theatre and sports? Why did it take LFHS years to finally get Theatre as an elective? Why is the climate at the high school so anti-theatre? I think it all has to do with the lack of promotion of the arts at the school and again a lack funding. If you have a problem with this please feel free to comment, just don’t do it anonymously because that’s weak.
Meghan Geraghty • Apr 8, 2019 at 10:01 pm
Hello Forest Scout reader, as a member of the LFHS Theater Department, your words and the sentiments of many people who aren’t involved in theater hurt. However, your opinion and many others who share yours come from a place of misinformation, prejudice, and ignorance, which I don’t entirely blame you for. What many of us are trying to get across are not only the physical toll theater takes on us, but the mental as well. The plays we put on, especially the darker ones, take a significant mental toll on the actors and tech students that many fail to acknowledge while trying to balance school, home, and social lives all at the same time. And while I do agree that our student athletes should be commended for the work they put into their sport, theater kids deserve the same amount of recognition and plays. We don’t practice every day and some weekends until late into the night for two months at least for our own glory and satisfaction, we do so to make our peers and our community think about the world differently and be entertained. Despite all of that, we get very little recognition outside of our close friends and family. I hope you read this comment and the others before this not as an attack on you, but as an informative look on the passion and future career of many of Lake Forest High School’s sweetest, funniest, most social, and hardest working students you so quickly brushed aside.
Cara • Apr 8, 2019 at 9:59 pm
Great job Kenleigh! This article looks really good!
A Concerned Forest Scout Reader • Apr 8, 2019 at 9:33 pm
To address the first comment, I am a theatre kid that also does a sport. I’ll admit, the primary reason I started doing that sport is to get at least one athletic study hall to allow myself to participate in the plays while I balance my AP and Honors classes. I get around five hours of sleep every night (more often less than more), and I also do other extracurricular activities as I am sure you do.
I, nor the author of the article, nor any of those people quoted, are not trying to diminish the time and effort put into the sports here at LFHS. We are just saying that just like these incredible athletes, we put in time and effort as well, and we would like to be recognized for that.
An athletic study hall is justified by the basic fact that athletes don’t need a gym class because they already do enough athletic activity during their sport. However, an athletic study hall, I would argue, is mainly used as an incentive to get people to join sports, as a clear majority of our school is involved in one of the many sports offered here, probably more than are truly passionate about sports. As I admitted before, I started doing my sport freshman year to give myself an athletic study hall. But I have grown to like it more and more, which is the reason I stuck with it. Ultimately though, without the study hall, I never would have begun.
Without this incentive, it is hard for kids to commit themselves to theatre as easily as they can to sports right off the bat. And while theatre may not be as physically rigorous, it does have a surprising amount of physical activity, as those above were trying to articulate. Even outside the musical, which can have surprisingly intense dance sequences (I realize how dumb that sounds), in the winter show this year, 1984, lead actor Bryan Kingsley was subject to an intense torture scene in which he was thrown around and even slapped. I get that that’s not exactly gym class exercise, but it is an intense physical activity. In addition to this, there is also tech crew, an even more unrecognized section of the student body that builds the sets for all the plays, in addition to helping out backstage or with sound and lights at any event in either of the two theaters. For all theatre productions, all actors are required to work at least four hours to help tech build the set (many of us love it so much, they do more), and building the set often is very strenuous work.
Just like any team, we really do care about what we do. If someone was there because their mom forced them to do it, and all they did was complain, they would be as resented as they would on any sports team. As you can see by the length of this comment, I really care too. Whatever you love to do, I’m sure you would love recognition for that as well. That’s all we are asking for. I am also not the only crossover. There are people in football, dance (I suppose that’s to be expected), swimming, track and cross-country. Some do weightlifting and even MMA fighting. Look up Rana Muratoglu. She is Sylvia in this upcoming production of All Shook Up.
At some high schools, the big thing is theatre. The musical is sold out a month in advance. Everyone from the community comes and enjoy a lot of people pouring their heart and soul out on stage. Everyone tries out for the plays, and everyone supports those talented enough to get it. I understand that our school isn’t one of those schools, but I wish it was at least slightly more like that. Maybe we could have school pride through theatre, as well as sports.
A study hall for theatre kids certainly isn’t our most pressing issue, but it is one to consider. Should commitment be valued over physical activity? Even if one says no, why shouldn’t Rana get a study hall for the training she put into her career? Then maybe it’s a matter of school spirit. But why should some people get out of an entire class for having more “school spirit” than another student? Good articles are supposed to bring complex questions to the forefront, and so, I applaud you, Kenleigh. And thank you.
Yep, you guessed it, another forest scout reader • Apr 8, 2019 at 9:20 pm
This statement that no one has come to a play for enjoyment is just false. I had a small role in the play and many of my friends came to watch and support me. And they came away with verying opinoins and critiques of the play, which is good. This showed me that they were paying attention. They came to support the school. And if your argument against that is “well they are only supporting you as a friend” than what do you call the student section at any sporting event in LFHS. You are only talking about Football and Basletball. No other school sport ropes in people liek those do. What about the countless other sports that dont get any audience at all. Like badminton, track and field, soccer. Should they not have and athletic study hall? Most of their audiences consist of parents. And to add to that mich less tickets are sold to their games than to the plays. One showing of a school play can have over 150 people. 1984 sold out two nights in a row.
Yet Another Forest Scout User • Apr 8, 2019 at 9:15 pm
Dear Forest Scout reader,
I understand where you are coming from when you say that the work of students involved in the theatre department is not as recognizable as the work of those involved in athletics because that is the case more often than not. However, if I were you, I would not declare that theatre does not create an atmosphere for school spirit and that the plays serve no purpose for the school except to attract the “less athletically and socially inclined” students because, frankly, that isn’t true.
I would like to introduce you to a program called the Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards (IHSMTA). IHSMTA is run through Broadway in Chicago, a professional company that allows for broadway shows to come to Chicago, and it provides students at participating high schools the opportunity to compete against other schools for titles including Best Actor/Actress, Best Production, Best Direction, and Best Scenic Design among many others. The “Best Actor/Actress” recipients move on to The Jimmy Awards in New York City after they are awarded, where they compete once more on a broadway stage against the other actor/actress pairings from each state. Past winners often move on to become broadway stars, such as the current 17 year old currently tackling the titular role of Evan Hansen in Dear Evan Hansen. This kind of competition, whether you choose to see it that way, can easily be compared to the tournaments and championships that the sports teams participate in; the kind that generate school spirit among students who chose to attend. Yes, to be fair, since theatre is a less popular activity than athletics it is only natural that the appeal for this event would only make sense to those who follow the theatre community closely, but nevertheless, it is something that people pay attention to, regardless of if you do or not. It is an incredibly honor for students and productions to get selected for awards such as these, so claiming that theatre does not contribute anything for the school is a flat out assumption and ultimately a lie.School spirit is not defined by what is popularized around campus, it is defined by events like these and all other tournaments that make students proud to attend the school that they do.
To continue, I find it “grossly offensive” that you would stereotype students in theatre as “less athletically and socially inclined.” That stereotype is one that entirely misrepresents the theatre community and it makes me sad to see that you would stoop so low as to imply that theatre is meant for kids who couldn’t play sports (suggesting that sports is a superior option to the arts) and for kids who aren’t as socially capable as others. May I remind you that theatre may not be as physically demanding as football, soccer, track, or any other sport at this school, but it takes just as much courage, if not more, to involve yourself in a play or musical. If you think presenting a project in front of a class is even a little bit daunting at times, try not only reciting memorized lines, but connecting to a script and creating non-existent relationships with your peers for crowds that often fill the theaters each night, (another note: no one is “forced” to come to shows, many members of the community, theatre goers from other towns, and even other schools take time out of their night to watch us do what we love). Theatre is not an activity for those who do not feel comfortable talking in front of others and anyone who has participated in a show here would say the same. As for athletics, there are currently a handful of students in the musical who play sports when they are not involved in a show here. In fact, Junior Michael Daniels participates in the winter play and spring musical when he is not playing varsity football in the fall. Daniels says, “Theatre is not “for kids that need something to do after school because they dont do sports” theatre is an alternative to sports. They are on the same playing field. And that playing field is after school activities. Doing a sport is not any more valiant or worth while than pursuing the arts. The plays help condition kids for their futures in whatever they choose to do in college just like sports. Many kids in the theatre program go on to act direct or work tech in college.” Theatre does not appeal to kids who feel that they don’t belong in the athletics program, it appeals to the kids who have a passion for something else other than physical activity, and your comment implies that that is not something for these students to be proud of. It may be true that some students find solace in theatre because it helps them socially and accommodates to their desired amount of daily physical activity, but to generalize all of the department through this statement makes you sound incredibly ignorant.
To your point, I am not saying that theatre is more physically exhausting than sports such as football or dance, however, I am saying that theatre should not be deemed “less worthy” of a privilege such as a study hall because it takes a certain kind of person to handle all of the stress that comes with being a kid involved in the arts, just as it takes a certain kind of person to be apart of a high school sports team. Just because you don’t associate yourself with what is going on in the LFHS theatre community does NOT mean you have the right to downgrade it and claim it “does not contribute anything to the school”. Yes, the dance team without a doubt has more vigorous and demanding choreography than what is displayed in the musical, but their art is not any less valuable than ours because of that. There are so many aspects of theatre that challenge you as a person in a way that sports cannot because being apart of a show primarily causes mental exhaustion more often than it causes physical exhaustion. Just like athletics builds character, strength, endurance, and a sense of teamwork, theatre builds confidence, memorization skills, stamina, and that same sense of teamwork. I hope after reading this comment you take the time to realize that before you try to claim something isn’t worthy of a certain privilege, you need to at least try to understand where the opposite point of view comes from. Great article, Kenleigh!
Sincerely,
Yet Another Forest Scout Reader
a historian • Apr 8, 2019 at 9:11 pm
Hello “forest scout reader,”
I would just like to give you a little history lesson. If you knew about how sports actually started, you would know that competitions were created by the Ancient Romans in order to distract the public from the nasty politics surrounding Rome at that time in history. Theatre, however, was created in order to enlighten people on the harsh truths of the world, as well as entertain them. Us “theatre kids” may not be as “socially inclined” as sports players, we do in fact enjoy what we do and may even want to make a career out of it, so please don’t offend the people you may be seeing on TV in ten years. Also, some of us do play sports, so our demographics are not as separated as you may think. Before you write a personally offensive response to many of you fellow classmates in this school behind a cowardly anonymous profile, please do keep in mind that you may need to do your homework before outwardly judging anyone who is different from you. With that, I kindly ask you to step off and maybe come and see a show or two of us “frolicking around onstage,” because you might learn a thing or two.
Callan • Apr 8, 2019 at 8:49 pm
I have to admit that I was taken aback by this first comment, but I will give this reader the benefit of the doubt and assume that they don’t mean to put down their fellow classmates, but are simply immensely uninformed.
First and foremost, although attending the school plays may not be for everyone, they don’t only attract loads students and parents, but are also attended by community members and theatre students from high schools across the Chicagoland area. It also isn’t uncommon for an LFHS production to be sold out.
furthermore, the argument that the plays don’t contribute to school spirit is absolutely false. The plays and musicals at our school don’t contribute to the school culture the way that the invigorating friday night football games do, but they are still a great opportunity to explore the more artistic side of our school. the shows are in no way superior to sports games, but they do provide a unique experience and I highly encourage you to attend one to get a better grasp of what the theatre department and tech crew contributes to our wonderful school .
I also find it arbitrary and, quite frankly, offensive to say that the talented students in these productions are simply there because they are less socially inclined or can’t play a sport. Many of these students have been spending years dancing, training with acting troupes, theatre companies, and voice coaches to perfect their craft. No, they are not running miles, swimming laps, or lifting weights, but they are still putting a tremendous amount time and energy into this artform. As a result, to be cast in one of these shows is no small feat, especially when you are auditioning with students who have done profesional work in theatre and acting or who will be attending highly competitive schools like Northwestern to pursue vocal arts, as is the case in our school.
Our school is a wonderful community with so many great experiences to offer. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the grit and work ethic that the athletes at our school have and hope that this opinion does not dismiss their talent and effort in any way, I simply believe that it is also possible to celebrate the artists in the studios, the problem solvers and debaters in the classrooms, the musicians in the stands, the tech students behind the scenes, and yes, the actors on stage.
one more forest scout reader • Apr 8, 2019 at 8:43 pm
I really appreciate your feedback! Thank goodness you have an athletic study hall to write those mean comments in!
another forest scout reader • Apr 8, 2019 at 6:23 pm
i am grossly offended by your comment
Forest Scout reader • Apr 8, 2019 at 2:09 pm
While this article is very well written, I do disagree with the sentiment that students who participate in the play deserve a study hall along with athletes. While it is certainly true that these kids work hard, I don’t know of anyone who has actually attended a play or cares about them in any way, shape, or form. I would guess that these plays consist of a bunch of parents who were basically forced into coming.
Furthermore, what do these plays contribute to the school? Sports teams add school pride, especially when teams face off against local rivals. The plays, on the other hand, serve to give less athletically and socially inclined students something to do after school rather than loaf around at home or in the commons.
Finally, one of the sources states, “I would tell those people to try and dance for three hours a day…” As someone who has seen first hand how much blood, sweat, and tears many students put into challenging sports, I find this quote grossly offensive. How dare this person compare frolicking around on a stage to running, swimming, weightlifting, or tackling? I would challenge this person to try out a day on the dance team, and see how they enjoy some dancing that could actually considered a physical activity.