Hi!
Carousel was my first play, the summer of 1971. I didn't start helping in the office and backstage until 1972. I graduated high school in 1972 and then started filling in by teaching a class now and then. In 1974 I was allowed to teach half the tiny tot, 6-8, and 9-12 classes. I was given an exact course schedule to follow every week by Mr. Netzky, who checked constantly to make sure everything was going well. Often he had a class in the theater and I was teaching in the backstage area. You're right, the only training I had to do this came directly from Mr. Netzky himself. When he was first opening Tom Thumb in Arizona, he wrote and asked me if I was willing to relocate there and help out. I decided not to at the time,since I had just gotten married. I regret I never went back to school to get any additional training so I would be able to teach childrens dramatics. It's great to hear from the other Tom Thumbers, from Chicago and Arizona!
Judy