As you like it performed at Blake High school. Yes I know it was an High school production and I realize it was on nearly a month ago but it's horrific nature is plaguing me with it's pedantic production quality and schizophrenic nature. I love my students and I had about 5 students in the production and even more backstage, this is not an affront to them it is to their new Drama teacher. Being a teacher and an artist I understand the desire to make something edgy and big and brilliant and outside of the box but this can easily blow up in your face (and in my early days of teaching believe me it did). But as a teacher first to my students and reserving my artistic ambitions for professionals and extremely capable students I will not put students in the position of embarassment I feel I saw these students in. So to my students this is not against you but in observation of the production at it's face value.

• First of all don't butcher Shakespeare!!! This is drama 101. In this production it was obvious that the director in question did not have any idea what was actually going on in the play. News Flash As you like it is a comedy!! There were clearly scenes where the director blocked the students contrary to the dialogues actual meaning
• Secondly, if you are going to modernize make sure you are consistent. In this particular production it was supposed to be drug wars and rehab ( which evidently only half the cast was told after speaking with some of them) The Forest of Arden was supposed to be the Rehab center where everyone took 'refuge' in concept it sounds interesting but in actuality when the Forest of Arden, IS ACTUALLY A FOREST! That's right the set was still a forest perhaps she didn't let the set designers know of her 'vision'?
• Thirdly, don't fire your lighting crew the night before opening night... so they won't be inclined to delete all of your cues off the lighting board! Especially on your FIRST production in a new place whether it is a school or not Play nice.

That is all I will get off my chest just the basics, for those of you required to take from this woman b/c of your program I apologize but you are always welcome in my acting class on monday nights at The Florida Arts School call 813.238.7041 or just come by on Mondays 7:30-9
4724 N. Nebraska Ave. Tampa, FL 33603

So to all my Blake students I love you dearly and hope you are able to rise above a bad director because I still love you!!
-Meg