Kids know what is fair and right. If it is not fair to give these kids special treatment, you are going to have trouble with the rest of the kids in the cast, if not now, later. I know that it sounds terrible, but it is probably the best for the show, the cast, the kids and their mom to drop them. I had to let a young cast member go once. He was slightly older then these children, but still a kid. I was clear about when he needed to be at rehearsals. I called and left messages numerous times. The other cast members said he wasn't sick. After a couple of weeks of not hearing from him, I let the kid who had been doing his lines have them. That was fair. That's when he finally showed up and wanted his part back. I know the other kids told him at school. I can't imagine how much respect I would have lost if I had let him back in the cast. The kids would not have seen it as second chance, but that it wasn't fair. Anyway, I told him maybe next time. I didn't hold his past against him at the next auditions. He did deserve a second chance then. He came to all the rehearsals for that show. I think it has to be about the bigger picture, and setting standards that are clear and fair for everyone not just the person you are having trouble with. It just makes it easier in the long run.  . . Okay, end of soapbox rant from the fifth grade teacher.

Linda

He was a kid. I would probably not be so forgiving with an adult.

L.

I have a situation with an adult (?) woman that I recruited into my show.  I laid out the expectations on the audition form, she signed it, and we started rehearsals.  And last night she missed for the third time.  The first two times she called me with an "excuse", but last night she just didn't show up.  Finally she text messaged another cast member an excuse!  If I had ANYBODY else in mind to take her part I'd get rid of her, but I'm over a barrel.

I feel personally wronged, too, because I have calling her every night to offer her a ride to rehearsals since we live near each other. Yesterday when I called her she declined a ride saying that she would get herself there since she would be done earlier then me.  THEN SHE DIDN'T EVEN SHOW UP!

I'm not really asking for advice (aside from an answer to "what do I say to her to get her cooperation from now on?") I can't really do anything.  I recruited her because we suffer a shortage of people that want to be onstage and young people especially.  (She's about 20).  So I can't replace her. I don't really want to.  But what if I just said to her, "You know, Amy, I need to know that you are going to be at every rehearsal from now on.  Maybe you didn't understand how important your attendance is.  And if you didn't it's my fault for not making that clear enough, but now I need to know that you will be there every time you are scheduled for a rehearsal."