Introduction

Welcome to the Muse Machine family! Since its founding in 1982, Muse Machine has relied on the dedication of teachers and staff just like you to help spread resources and experiences to where they are most needed. As you go through this guide, please remember that Muse Machine staff is ready to answer any questions you might have as you move forward to start a club in your school.

 

Talking With Your School

Investigate Student Interest

Many schools can benefit from the addition of Muse Machine to its list of co-curricular activities available to students. When considering whether Muse Machine is the right fit for yours, remember that this organization is not only for “theater kids.” Being in Muse as a student is a fun and a good way to learn more about the Dayton region and meet a wider range of students from across the area. Besides that, the arts can help all students form connections to curriculum and discover diverse cultures. Engagement with different types of artistic expression will also help young people find what outlet is best for their own interests. When your administration is considering adding a Muse club, they should consider the diverse group of students the organization assists.

 

Meet with School Leadership

When you know that your student body is ready for Muse Machine it’s time to talk to your school administrators. If you have not led a club or organization before, it’s essential for you to learn what your school requires of advisors.

We know sometimes it is difficult to talk about money but this is the time for you to ask what funding is available from your district or school. That will help you decide whether additional funding may be needed to pay for performances. It is also important for you to know your district’s policies for handling money that could come from membership dues or that will be remitted to Muse Machine for performances. Consider this list (COMING SOON) from the Muse fiscal officer for good financial practices for your club beyond what might be required by your administration.

Before you start Muse Machine in your school, it is important to learn your institution’s rules for keeping students safe and everything running smoothly. Several schools have procedures for working with students outside of class that you should study. There are many great opportunities for Muse Machine students to travel to professional performances in the region for out-of-school performances. To bring your students to these shows, get to know policies pertaining to student transportation and the additional rules your school might have about off-site events. If you need any assistance from Muse Machine, feel free to reach out. We are available for phone consultations, we can come to the school, and we can talk with administrators and other teachers to help make Muse a reality in your district.

In-school performances by Muse Machine artists are one of the many key parts of bringing our organization to your school. That means that you need to learn your school’s policies for reserving the large spaces needed for them, like the auditorium or gymnasium. These performances will also require students to leave class during the day, and you should also confirm how best to do that to ensure no feathers are ruffled.

 

Preparing For Your First Year

Plan Ahead

Your first year leading a Muse Machine club in your school will be very busy, so it is best to prepare as much as possible beforehand. Consider your school’s schedule and create a calendar of in-school and out-of-school performances that you can use to help get students interested in joining Muse Machine. To learn more about reserving tickets and in-school performances visit the Teacher Resources section of the Muse Machine website.

For out-of-school performances, it’s best to think socially when planning an outing. Do not just plan a performance; think of what can be done to make it extra special. For example, if you are coming to see the Muse Machine musical in January, find a nearby restaurant for dinner so that students can talk about what they are excited for in the show and enjoy some time away from their normal school responsibilities . Some examples of affordable eateries near downtown’s performance spaces include:

• Spaghetti Warehouse
• Flying Pizza
• Uno’s
• Subway
• Basil’s On Market (more affordable for lunch before a matinee)
• Table 33
• Marilyn’s Grill

Before you take your group of students to a performance, make sure they are prepared for what’s ahead. Consider going over the etiquette guide (COMING SOON) before the performance, and if you are headed to a restaurant let them look at a menu to help them budget for their time downtown.

As time progresses, you will be able to know what went well in previous years to improve for the future. In your first year, think of what shows, music, and artists have been popular to help guide your choices. Then start small and work your way up as you learn what is successful. You can always talk with Muse Machine Secondary Program staff for ideas that have worked at other schools in the past.

Looking in All the Right Places

You have performances and you have passion—now it is time to find the right students for your Muse Machine club. We can give you a whole list of things that can work, from school announcements to posters; but as an educator you know what works best for your particular school. Remember that, while Muse Machine is an arts education organization, not only theater students will love to get involved. Muse Machine graduates over the years have gone on to a wide variety of professions. Arts are great for everyone to learn more about the world around them and how to express themselves, and we welcome students of all backgrounds.

As you are starting out, it is a great time to talk to other extracurricular or co-curricular advisors to see what they do to find new students for their clubs. If these teachers have a love for the arts, too, see if you can get them to be co-leaders with you to help shoulder the work ahead. It is also good to get other teachers involved with Muse Machine to assist with performances where additional member supervision might be required.

Once you have assembled the students that will be the initial members of your Muse club, consider adding the Muse Captain position. This title is used to cover a variety of roles that are student leadership within the club, from photographer, to newsletter specialist, to performance leader and more. It allows students to step up and guide the group in the direction they want it to go, grow it into something bigger, as well as offer assistance to the Muse teacher. For more information about this role, check out our in-depth Muse Captain guide.

Setting the Stage (Correctly)

One of the pieces of preparation that often gets overlooked when preparing for the debut year of Muse Machine is getting ready for in-school performances. Different schools have different processes and equipment in large presentation spaces, but it is important that you understand the rules for each space. When you book an in-school performance, Muse Machine will provide the performers’ technical requirements and they must be followed exactly for everything to run as it should. Discuss with school administration how best to get members out of class when it’s time, and also decide on etiquette that each member should use when leaving rooms and attending performances to limit disruptions to other students.

When preparing for your first in-school performance, check out our Tips on Preparing for the In-school Performances for a sample checklist of things to complete before, during and after the event.

 

Putting Preparation into Practice

Make it a Habit

As you begin to establish Muse Machine in your school, think about the future of the club. You have done everything you can to get started on the right foot, now you can lay the groundwork to inspire years of students to follow.

It’s no lie that kids these days are busy. They often have several extra-curricular activities, not to mention homework. Your Muse Machine group should establish a regular meeting time to help students keep track of the organization. You could decide based on general availability that your meetings will be the second Thursday of every month, or every other Wednesday, for example. It is a good idea to hype up in-school performances to make them the big events in the school year they should be. Also consider a mini-pep rally before your first in-school performance to help build interest in Muse membership for the year ahead.

Ready to Take Charge

As you gain your footing running a student organization, consider how formal you want your club to be. Muse Machine leaves it up to advisors to decide if their clubs will have officers or other named leadership roles. One you might want to consider is the role of Muse Captain. The title can be applied to several roles, but in general it is a student (or students, if your group is large enough) who helps the facilitator run the club. While final responsibility would still fall on staff, a Muse Captain(s) could help come up with a strategy for promoting performances, create meeting plans and fill other leadership roles. For more information about the intricacies of these positions and how it could work for your school, visit the Muse Captain guide.

We won’t sugarcoat it for you—your first year might be time consuming as you learn the ropes of Muse Machine and how to run a club in your school. Once you get the ball rolling with a good kick-off, however, future years should run smoothly. Whether this is your first year or your tenth, please remember that Muse Machine staff is always here to help if you have questions or concerns.