HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Are the curtains closing on a Henrico County high school’s theater department? Not if it’s up to the students.
Some J.R. Tucker High School seniors are calling on the Henrico County School Board to make the drama department a bigger priority, but this isn’t a new concern. Former Henrico County theater teachers told 8News that school drama departments across the Richmond region have been underfunded for years.
There’s no business like show business — people have been putting on theatrical performances since around the 5th century BCE in Ancient Greece. However, in present-day Henrico, rising seniors at J.R. Tucker High School took the podium at a recent school board meeting to put a spotlight on the ongoing problem of underfunding for the arts in the county’s schools.
“In my opinion, the fine arts at J.R. Tucker are dying,” one student said. “Many of the drama teachers in Henrico County are unhappy with the stipend they receive for their extended responsibilities contract and their tireless dedication to directing, managing and producing shows.”
This call to action came after a beloved, 19-year drama department leader announced her finale, as she is stepping down from her lead role. Students like Michael Farley said drama instructors commit more than 300 hours to their art every year and receive less than $5 an hour as compensation.
“Many drama teachers take two to four hours out of their evening during a show season to stay with students — away from their families — and on top of their regular day of teaching, which can be over seven hours,” Farley said.
Students also emphasized how, according to the school system’s payment plan, the drama head’s annual pay is comparable to the seasonal stipend given to assistant coaches for school sports, something another rising senior said isn’t cause for any applause.
“As the head of a department, theater teachers should be paid similarly as other head positions such as football or basketball coaches and not their assistants,” a student said.
A spokesperson from Henrico County Public Schools said that they have already made changes, like enabling faculty to get supplies and rights to scripts more easily.
Leaders also identified “Extended Responsibility” stipends as a priority in the budget for the fiscal year 2025 and added that, in the coming school year, the stipends will increase by 7.2%. This will make for a total increase of more than 15% over two years after they increased last year by 8.2%.
In the meantime, students aren’t “taking five,” they’re bringing the problem center stage right now.
“This issue has gone on long enough and it’s time to put it to rest the right way,” Farley said.
A Henrico County Public Schools spokesperson told 8News in an email that the school district is immensely proud of its theater programs, as well as all of its talented students and faculty members.
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Are the curtains closing on a Henrico County high school’s theater department? Not if it’s up to the students.
Some J.R. Tucker High School seniors are calling on the Henrico County School Board to make the drama department a bigger priority, but this isn’t a new concern. Former Henrico County theater teachers told 8News that school drama departments across the Richmond region have been underfunded for years.
There’s no business like show business — people have been putting on theatrical performances since around the 5th century BCE in Ancient Greece. However, in present-day Henrico, rising seniors at J.R. Tucker High School took the podium at a recent school board meeting to put a spotlight on the ongoing problem of underfunding for the arts in the county’s schools.
“In my opinion, the fine arts at J.R. Tucker are dying,” one student said. “Many of the drama teachers in Henrico County are unhappy with the stipend they receive for their extended responsibilities contract and their tireless dedication to directing, managing and producing shows.”
This call to action came after a beloved, 19-year drama department leader announced her finale, as she is stepping down from her lead role. Students like Michael Farley said drama instructors commit more than 300 hours to their art every year and receive less than $5 an hour as compensation.
“Many drama teachers take two to four hours out of their evening during a show season to stay with students — away from their families — and on top of their regular day of teaching, which can be over seven hours,” Farley said.
Students also emphasized how, according to the school system’s payment plan, the drama head’s annual pay is comparable to the seasonal stipend given to assistant coaches for school sports, something another rising senior said isn’t cause for any applause.
“As the head of a department, theater teachers should be paid similarly as other head positions such as football or basketball coaches and not their assistants,” a student said.
A spokesperson from Henrico County Public Schools said that they have already made changes, like enabling faculty to get supplies and rights to scripts more easily.
Leaders also identified “Extended Responsibility” stipends as a priority in the budget for the fiscal year 2025 and added that, in the coming school year, the stipends will increase by 7.2%. This will make for a total increase of more than 15% over two years after they increased last year by 8.2%.
In the meantime, students aren’t “taking five,” they’re bringing the problem center stage right now.
“This issue has gone on long enough and it’s time to put it to rest the right way,” Farley said.
A Henrico County Public Schools spokesperson told 8News in an email that the school district is immensely proud of its theater programs, as well as all of its talented students and faculty members.