Why is it that if you really need help to get something done, it is the busiest people who come to your aid? For months I had tried to get some volunteer or even hired help to do the jobs associated with a new play I was directing at an elementary school. In past years, instructional aides and parent volunteers came in to rehearsals to help out with sewing costumes, managing children and organizing the props. This year, not enough people seemed available to volunteer or even get paid to help. So, at the last desperate hour, I made a plea for ANYONE to come and help!!!!! The people who answered the call were the very busiest people -- the ladies who regularly volunteer at the school doing anything from being the PTA president, organizing special functions, or teaching art or sewing to helping with any and all other types of tasks. They had children in the cast, but I feel that they would have made time to help in any capacity even if they did not have children in the show. They are that kind of people.
It seems to go against all that is practical. I had tried to organize and parcel out the needs of the show into small manageable bits. I tried to get takers for some of the tasks. A few sewing projects were picked up, but not the "harder" tasks like helping with technical jobs or managing kids during rehearsals. Had everything gone according to my plan, the different tasks would have been doled out a little at a time all along the three month rehearsal process. No one's schedule needed to be overloaded with work. But what actually happened is that I had much more on my plate to get done up until the last minute when there were only jobs left that I physically could not split myself apart to be in different locations at the same time to make happen. Don't get me wrong, I am indeed grateful for the last minute help I did receive. I just wonder why this had to happen and what else I could have done to make things work a little better.
In the end, some marvelous souls came to help with lights and sound and managing the actors and the costumes and props backstage and even helping with moving set pieces around on the stage. Pictures were taken and video was made of the various performances. All is well in the end, but it is sure a mystery as to why it is just the busiest people who can seem to reorganize their schedules to come to your aid in a pinch!
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