Fifth graders have begun to think about their characters for “Lewis and Clark” We discussed that they must walk and talk like when they become their character.  We started to try some things in class to see if it felt right depending on the character one was playing. We practiced  posture, rhythm of speaking , body language,mannerisms  and actions to see how we were going to make our characters look and act differently then ourselves.  We also talked about “stage business” and what that means to the actor. Just because a character isn’t speaking on stage doesn’t mean one stops acting.  “Acting is Doing” so it is the students responsibility to “show” the audience through actions and activities on stage what it is they want the audience to know. During our warm-up this week students articulated and projected a Halloween tongue twister for me. Physically students followed my choreography/movement to music. I wanted to see how well they followed directions and how well they could move! They all did great! Happy Halloween!

Sixth and Seventh graders have been working on characterization the last couple of weeks.  Students were supposed to think about how their character speaks, dresses, walks, and moves.  They had to write down their characters personality traits, mannerisms, behaviors and come up with  a little history . Where were they born, how old is their character, is it a modern day scene or from a different time period?  Students also must be off- book (memorized) this week.  We only have a  few more class periods before scene night so please make sure you children are meeting outside of class with their scene partners and rehearsing.

Now that my students have a description of what their character looks like; it is time for costumes and props! Students are able to check out costumes an props during class. Many students will already have their costume at home. A great way to find a costume that is not very expensive is thrift stores!! I don’t want anyone spending a lot of money on scene night costumes.  We can always find something at home, in the costume room or create it!  

I have expressed to all of my students that I don’t want them wearing what they wore to school that day for a costume during scene night.   It is important the feel like they are becoming someone else, their character, and changing costume/clothes can help with this.  Make-up is not mandatory. It is a choice and should be done at home beforehand.  

Call time for 6th and 7th graders on November 11th is 5:15 pm.  I like to have everyone come at the same time so that they can check their set pieces and props. Students will also make sure they are in costume and talk to their scene partner(s) about any last things they may want to share.  I will also do a brief warm-up to get everyone ready mentally, vocally and physically! Happy Halloween!

Eighth graders have continued to perform their freeze walks as well as participate in their classmates freeze walks! It has been wonderful seeing every ones different  interpretations and how well they are listening to each other.

 

 

In Fifth grade, students had their cold reading audition for “Lewis and Clark”. They all did such a great job! It takes a lot of courage to get up in front of you classmates and audition.  Each student was handed a cast list with character descriptions.  They needed to come to class prepared to audition for a character of their choice.  Students had to  read a line from the “Lewis and Clark” script.  They were then asked to attach an emotion that I gave to them and read that same line again.   I was paying attention to projection and articulation.   I was also looking for some kind of action and expression when they read their line as well.  I teach my students that their are no small parts only small actors.  I want every student to know that is isn’t about how many lines you have; it is about how one presents themselves  on stage. Acting can be physical too and just because someone may not have a speaking line doesn’t mean they aren’t just as important as someone who does.    Please congratulate your children! I gave them all a cast list so that they can show you at home!

Sixth and Seventh graders have been working on their script analysis for Scene Night on November 11th at 6 pm! They were asked to highlight their characters lines, underline accent words, (which are the words that have more importance and emphasize when they are speaking) and show where their beat changes in their script.  Students also had to come up with an objective (goal) for their character and mark it in their script every time it changed.  Along with that, they needed to write down their characters motivation (How are they going to accomplish this goal). Lastly they were to write what their characters moment before is.  This is so the act or knows what happened before the scene that are going to perform. It gives the character a little more purpose.  This is something that the used their imaginations for a made up.  At the same time it had to make sense with the scene they are going to perform.  Our next step is blocking and memorization.  Please help your children at home with their lines.  They need to be off book by their class time the week of October 26th.  I have told all sixth and seventh graders that class time is not enough rehearsal time.  They must rehearse at home and try to get together with their classmates a couple of times outside of class. I have also offered Wednesday flex period to help with scene work!

Eighth graders have been working on presenting their “Freeze Walks”.  The eighth graders each get a chance to play “director”.  They stand up in front of their classmates and read their freeze walk into a microphone.  Their classmates must follow direction and mime what ever is read to them.  So far it has been really great to see all of the different ideas and creations they come up with.   This teaches my students to really listen and respond/react physically.  When miming, students are much more focused on their expression and bodies.  Physical acting is just as important and I am really starting to see that in class!

 

 

 

 

I just wanted to thank those of you who met with me for conferences. It was a pleasure sitting down and discussing your fantastic children with you. I am so grateful that I can to teach them every week in Drama class.  It was also great meeting new parents that I haven’t met before.  If you were not able to meet with me and you still wanted to, please make sure to email me and we can set something up or have a phone conversation.

Just a reminder that  6th and 7th grade  Scene Night is November 11th at 6pm! Would love to see you all there and bring whomever you would like to watch your children perform. 8th graders and parents and children of Quest Academy, the door is always open to you too as well!

Fifth graders have been getting ready for their “Lewis and Clark” auditions.  In class students practiced their diaphragm breathing.  We talked about the importance of breathing properly in order to project properly.  In class we also talked about articulation or “chewing our words” when we speak.  We also played a warm-up game called “Zip Zap Zop”. The fifth graders worked on eye contact, concentration, listening skills and  being direct with their movements! I was proud of how well they did!  We also talked about what is means to have a good audition.  A cold reading will be the type of drama audition fifth graders  will have for “Lewis and Clark”. This is when the student stands up in front of their classmates and reads a line from the script. I will also ask students to say the line with a specific emotion.  This takes a lot of courage to do and I am proud of all of my fifth graders! 

Sixth graders this week have continued their physical warm-ups and tongue twisters at the beginning of class. This week students were assigned their scene partners for scene night. Just a reminder scene night performance is November 11th at 6 pm in the gym.  See you all there!  Students have also been working hard to find a scene this week.  I think it is important students pick something that they want to do so that they are invested and have confidence to perform.   Sixth graders have a choice to do a drama, comedy, tragedy, horror, or Shakespeare.  I have many different books and scripts that they looked through this week in class. If students are not able to find one, I will then choose a scene for them!

Seventh graders this week have continued their physical warm-ups and tongue twisters at the beginning of class. Last week students got to choose  scene partners for scene night. Just a reminder scene night performance is November 11th at 6pm in the gym.  See you all there!   Students have also been working hard to find a scene this week.  I think it is important students pick something that they want to do so that they are invested and have confidence to perform. Seventh graders can choose a scene from a book, Television show, movie, tragedy, horror, comedy or a musical! Seventh graders are also allowed to write their own script if they choose to do so. I am looking forward to seeing what students choose!

Eighth graders have continued their physical warm-ups and tongue twisters at the beginning of class.  They also have continued to journal in their DDD’s.  We have been working on listening and following directions in class. I will take the class through many different scenarios and the eighth graders use their imagination to  act it out. Everything is done in mime so they really have to focus on their bodies and expressions.  It was so wonderful to see all of the different interpretations students had.  Each eighth grader will have the opportunity to  direct the classmates by taking them through this same exercise that they write on their own. I look forward to hearing everyone’s creative ideas!