 The year 1997 turned out to be a crisis year.The number of students dropped and the school's new status as an "efterskole" (literally "after school") would have required younger students to attend, starting at age 14 rather than 17.Moves were made to prepare for the sale of the school but, in the nick of time, contacts were made with "Den nye Dramaskole" (the New Drama School) which was interested in introducing drama courses at Rødkilde.