Drama Teacher’s Fringe Trip Teaches Leadership Lessons

A drama teacher who took a cast of 40 students to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe nineteen years ago has revealed the experience taught them everything they know about leadership.

The teacher, who was working with students aged 7-13, took the group to perform a full-scale musical of Jesus Christ Superstar.

A team that’s greater than the sum of its parts

The show was a logistical challenge, with the group having to set up and take down the production in a short amount of time. However, the teacher said the students implicitly understood teamwork and that performance often rests on what is going on backstage.

By the time the group arrived in Edinburgh, everyone had tasks and micro-teams. The teacher said they showed the leader what to do and trusted them to do it, with a staff member assigned for final decisions.

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The experience taught the teacher the importance of believing in people’s potential and giving them the opportunity to try new things. They said that people are often scared to fail, so it’s important to make failing okay.

The teacher also learned the value of building a team that’s greater than the sum of its parts. They said that enthusiasm needs to be tempered with discipline and that when you know you will all get it over the finish line, you can dare to dream big.

The biggest dramas are often backstage

The group faced several challenges during their time in Edinburgh, including a venue that went bankrupt and a missing giant crucifix. However, the teacher said they were able to resolve these issues without telling the students, as they believed it would not have helped the situation.

Looking back, the teacher said they realized what a privilege it was to be part of the “arts haven” they created. They said that people didn’t just play their part, they raised it, and the results showed.

Behind-the-scenes challenges and resolutions

With about a month to go, the team received an email at midnight stating their venue had gone bankrupt, leaving their show and 29 others without a location. This prompted an evening of urgent emails to alternative venues. Due to the publicized nature of the situation, venue hosts were already supportive, and by the next day, a new space had been secured with Roxy Venues.

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The new venue offered better conditions, including a larger space, a more suitable time slot, and a lower price. The transition was managed discreetly, ensuring no disruption to the production or its participants. This swift resolution allowed the team to focus on their roles without added stress, maintaining the momentum of their preparations.

The Power of Believing in Potential

In the context of the Edinburgh Fringe production, this meant assigning tasks and micro-teams to students, who then took ownership of their roles. For instance, when a pyrotechnic effect failed to explode, a staff member seamlessly integrated the mishap into the performance. Similarly, when a microphone malfunctioned, the actor playing Judas stormed offstage to replace the battery, returning without missing a beat or an emotion.

Cultivating a High-Performing Team

The team included dedicated staff members like Mr. Atterton (sound), Mr. Griggs (lights, pyro, co-director), and Miss Driver (choreographer), who worked tirelessly to ensure the show’s success. Even family members and the wider community contributed, with Mr. Fitzsimmons’ wife and Miss Driver’s mum joining the orchestra, and Mr. Worden securing additional rehearsal space. This collective effort resulted in a production that was not only logistically complex but also artistically exceptional.

The teacher concludes by reflecting on the standards that made this experience possible and encourages others to channel similar energy in their own endeavors. The key takeaway is that such a team is not a rare find but can be cultivated through high standards, trust, and a shared vision. The final detail: the production featured 39 students and ex-students aged 12-20, all of whom had learned multiple roles to cover for any illnesses, ensuring the show’s seamless execution.