Opening the Doors: How Community Involvement Transformed Our Production of Clue
When we first started planning our production of Clue, we had an idea—invite faculty members to join the final scene as FBI agents flood in to bring the big reveal to life. It was meant to be a fun way to engage our school community, give a few teachers a taste of the stage, and spread awareness about the work we do in our theater program. But what started as a simple invitation quickly turned into something much bigger.
Word spread fast. Faculty, staff, and members of the community (our local law enforcement community!) wanted in on the action. What began as a handful of people in trench coats turned into a flood of new energy onstage, and with that, our theater program became something more than just “that thing the drama kids do.” It became an event.
The Immediate Impact
This surge of interest had an immediate and exciting effect. Teachers who had never stepped foot in our auditorium were suddenly part of the production. Students saw their favorite staff members not just supporting them, but actively involved in their world. Parents who had only attended performances as audience members got to experience the process firsthand. And the result? Excited audience members, engaged conversations in the hallways, and an overwhelming sense of pride from everyone involved.
The Long-Term Benefits
Beyond the fun and excitement, this kind of community involvement has lasting benefits. More faculty and staff now have a deeper understanding of the time, effort, and skill that goes into our productions. That translates to more support for our program—whether it’s helping advocate for resources, encouraging students to participate, or simply showing up to future shows with more enthusiasm.
For students, working alongside adults outside of the usual classroom dynamic builds confidence, strengthens relationships, and reminds them that their work matters. And for our program as a whole, it plants the seed for continued growth, ensuring that theater remains a valued and celebrated part of our school’s culture.
Bringing the Community Onstage
Seeing so many people eager to be part of our production reinforced something we’ve always known—technical theater and performance aren’t just for a select few. They’re for anyone willing to step into the lights, pick up a drill, or even don a trench coat and sunglasses for a surprise role. Our goal was to bring more awareness to what we do, and in return, we gained an even stronger community that’s now invested in our success.
Want to Involve Your Community? Here’s How to Start:
Identify a scene or moment in your production that can include extra participants without disrupting the storytelling.
Extend a personal invitation to faculty, staff, or community members—sometimes all it takes is asking!
Keep the experience low-pressure and fun so people feel encouraged to join.
Publicly celebrate their involvement to encourage future participation.
What are some ways you’ve involved your school or local community in theater? Share your experiences in the comments or tag us in your production photos!
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