What a beautiful Autumn we have had so far. I am sure you and your children are looking forward to Fall Break and being with your family and friends over the holidays.

Next week is the last week of first trimester! Time sure does fly when you are having fun.

I hope that you all can join us Wednesday, November 16th at 6:00 pm. to watch the sixth and seventh graders perform at scene night! 8th graders we would love to have you in the audience too. It is always great to have the extra support.  Parents just a reminder that dress rehearsal for 6th and 7th graders is Tuesday, November 15th from 3:30-6:00 pm.  Please make sure you pick your children up promptly. I have another appointment that evening at 6:30 and will have to leave right at 6:00 pm.   Your child can leave once their scene has been rehearsed on the stage.  Your children will get to see the order of scenes on Monday.

Call time for November 16th for 6th graders is 5:15 pm. and 7th graders 5:30 pm.   Please make sure to pick your children up as soon as scene night is over.  It will be a long day for everyone and a school day the next day, so rest is important!

Sixth and Seventh graders have been working hard the past few weeks on preparing for Scene Night.  It is very important your children get together this weekend with their scene partner(s) outside of class to rehearse their scenes.  See you all soon 🙂 I am so proud of all of my students for having the courage to get up on that stage and perform! This past week we have been working on characterization as well as polishing up anything we need to before next week. Please continue to review your child’s script with them.

In eighth grade, students have continued to journal in their DDD’s as well as warm-up in class physically to Freeze Walks and vocally to tongue Twisters.  Students have also been working on solo improvisations in class.

Hope to see you all at Scene Night!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Storytelling Night – Friday, September 23, 6:30 pm

“Eureka!” is our theme.  Quest storytellers will share stories celebrating those wonderful “a-ha!” moments of discovery.  Yarns will be spun honoring the traditions of the art form as well as the spirit of innovation.  Held at our beautiful West Campus Amphitheater (gym in case of rain), the all-ages event is open to the community.  Admission is free — bring your blankets and lawn chairs!  We hope to see all of you there!  (P.S. Two date have been floating about, this is the right one, 9/23)

Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth

I cannot believe that fall is almost here. Let’s enjoy what is left of the summer the best that we can. It seems that students are excited to be back at school.  It is so refreshing to see the enthusiasm from the students when they walk into drama class.  We have been working on improvisation and drama games, which helps the students get comfortable in the space they are in.  During improvisation the actor is forced to react spontaneously to what is happening on stage. All of the concentration is directed toward the situation and the other actors in the scene.   Students learn to be good listeners, think in their feet, respond quickly, think ahead and problem solve.   This can be a tool in everyday life.

We also worked a lot with our senses.  An actor’s tool is their body.  In order to use it properly we have to be well tuned.  The first thing we do in class is warm up our instrument.  Students vocally and physically worked together as an ensemble during warm-ups.  This would get them ready to utilize their body actions as well as facial and verbal expressions during improvisation.  By using the senses students were able to express themselves in a more natural truthful way.  We had a full day of movement. It was a combination of stretching, dance, yoga, isolation moves, and tai chi.  Students had to follow directions and also stay in rhythm with me! Bravo students! You rocked 🙂 In order to cool down I had my students work on diaphragm breathing and exercising their imagination. They had to lay down and close their eyes and think of somewhere else other than being in the drama room. They had to imagine this room and use their senses while doing so.  

We talked about emotional memory recall and how it can help us as actors.   Memory recall helps u recall different events in our lives.  The theory of affective memory believes that every emotional experience that we have been through is remembered and exists in our subconscious.  In acting we need to know how to trigger affective memory when we wish too.  This is part of improvisation.  Affective memories are often triggered in everyday life.  Remembering how our senses were used at certain moments, can help us bring back those feelings when acting to make it more believable on stage.

With enough practice the actor gradually begins to realize that every performance of a staged play and every real life situation, are formed with the same level of energy and Improvisation. We use improvisation every day.  I believe students have gained some confidence in this unit and are much more aware of their surroundings.  

Lastly we worked some more serious emotions in class.  Often times children like to be funny, or choose characters that are light hearted and happy but that isn’t real life. People are sad, disappointed, mad, lonely, confused, etc . I shared an experience I went through that made me very sad.  As I told my story they saw how it changed my voice, posture, expression/ emotion and gesture.  Most of the class showed me empathy and came up to me and gave me a hug. I told them that they all showed me compassion by listening and giving me their attention.  As I shared  that experience they saw my whole demeanor change.   I told them if I had to play “sad” on stage I would just think of that experience and that emotion would be believable on stage because of me remembering my real life situation.  

IT was then time for my classmates to  show someone in their class sympathy, empathy and compassion.  I had my students pair up in class and share a story or experience about their life that made them sad.  Their partners had to listen and show them compassion somehow.  I saw kids passing out tissues, hugging, listening intently, putting their head or hand on their shoulder, moving closer to their partner, etc. It was a beautiful thing to see everyone could be so honest with themselves and trust their partners.

We closed with talking about how actors need to also take themselves out of that moment when they are finished and think of something good and positive to get them through their day as normal.  I was so happy to see how much empathy and sympathy was shown during class. A lot of kids said they felt closer to their partner and better after sharing their experience! So proud of you guys!

I hope you all can come watch our 8th grade production of “The Little Mermaid”!

Performance times: Friday, April 29th 7:00 pm and Saturday, April 30th, 12:00 noon!

You can purchase tickets at the door, cash or check only for $12

You can also purchase tickets on eventbrite.com! Hope to see you all there.

Parents this week is tech week for “The Little Mermaid”.  The 8th graders are in the gym/stage all week working on their production.  Your children will still have drama class.  They will come to the gym and observe all of the action. Their assignment is to write in their DDD about what they observed.   One day it will be there turn to perform the musical! 

I hope all of you have a safe and wonderful spring break!

In fifth grade we worked on our imaginations . I played relaxing music with the sounds of the ocean in the background . I asked students to get in touch with their senses. What did they hear? feel? smell? taste? see? We shared with each other what each students thought were during this exercise . Imagination is a very important part of drama and some more than others need to work at this a little more.  Often times my students are told what to think and when they have the freedom to do so it can be a challenge. Imagination helps with thinking outside of the box with no limitations.  I wanted the students to relax and have a brain recess and this exercise helped with that.

Sixth grade took their vocabulary quiz this week. We also talked about the seventh grade production of “Twelfth Night”. We gave constructive criticism and talked about the things they did well and things the seventh graders could improve on .  Especially because next year they will be performing Shakespeare! We also reviewed the importance of being a good audience member.

Seventh graders I am so proud of you. Thank you to those who were able to come and watch the performance ! I was very proud of how well they did and more importantly their process and how much they improved. Way to go! Bravo!

In eight grade we continued our character work, crew work and choreography .  Students should be off book today during our 3:30-6:00 pm rehearsal. This will not allow them to connect emotion and their characterization.  Please note that we have changed our Saturday performance, April 30th to 12:00 noon instead of 2:00 PM. Call time for students will be 10:30.    Thank you for your understanding.  After spring break you should be able to go to eventbrite.com and purchase tickets for $12.00. We have a lot to get done before that but are excited for all of the work we have yet to accomplish together.

In fifth grade we have been continuing our ensemble work.  Students have been playing some team building games. We talked about the importance of sharing the spotlight when on and off stage.  Students learned to work together and compromise to make a final decision .  For some it was challenging because they were used to always using their idea.  I talked about how everyone deserves a chance to bring their idea to the table.  Everyone respected each other and came up with a creative end result to add to the game. Ask your kids about “Bipitty Bipitty Bop” !

In Sixth grade students performed their final mime project.  I am hoping that many of you were able to watch their telephone booth mime because they were asked to practice at home.   Everyone was given specific tasks to accomplish during their mime . At the same time I was looking for creative solutions and individuality when performing.  Everyone had to come up with a way to get out of the telephone booth when they discovered it was jammed. It was great fun to watch them problem solve and find a way out! Later in the week we did a relaxing exercise that included diaphragm breathing and using our imaginations. I played relaxing music with the sounds of ocean waves rolling in.  I thought that the kids could use a day to relax.  They were all working so hard to finish up all of their second trimester projects.  

In Seventh grade we have continued to rehearse “Twelfth Night”.  Our field trip to Navy Pier was spectacular! Everyone seemed to enjoy watching professional actors put on the same play and see what their interpretation was. I think a lot of kids got a better understanding of the play and got some character ideas. I am looking forward to seeing you all this coming Thursday morning to watch our production and adapted play of “Twelfth Night”! I would strongly suggest that you ask your children what “Twelfth Night” is about so that you have a better understanding of the play before you watch.  Since this is a Shakespeare project their will be some students sharing roles. This allows every one to get an opportunity to speak and act in “Twelfth Night”.

In Eighth grade students have been working on characterization.  They were asked to fill out specific questions about their characters past, present and future.  The eighth  graders have also been working on their script analysis.  We also have continued to choreograph ” Under the Sea” group number. Everyone is doing a great job :). Designs for crews were due as well. We now have all of our designs and can start building and creating. Please remember there is rehearsal this Sunday, from 11:00 am -3:00. Please remember that day light savings begins 🙂 Spring is near!!!! Please have your children bring a snack and a water bottle! 

Hope to see you at the auction on Saturday.  Have a great weekend!

In Fifth Grade students learned some new drama games! We worked on team building and working as an ensemble.  The fifth graders learned how important it is to listen to each other and pay attention to what is being communicated to them.   The fifth graders also learned when working in a team you must listen to every body’s ideas and then make a decision as  group.  Some students had to compromise and learn that they can’t always be in the spotlight.  By the end of class they were giving and taking much better!

In Sixth Grade students got assigned a partner and had to come up with an occupation.  They had to then mime a scene that showed what their occupation was. The rest of the class had to guess. Everyone did a great job.  Memory is one of our best tools as an actor.  I asked the students to think about their senses when miming to make their scene more believable.  They were all  very creative and took their time to make sure they didn’t forget any steps.  They all had to write an outline so that they knew what their partner was doing.  They had to think about communicating with their partner on stage and what their relationship was.  We will continue our mime unit until the end of the trimester!

In Seventh Grade we started to go through the scenes for “Twelfth Night”. This week I was checking memorization. Please continue to help your children learn their lines and cues.  We also decided on our set design and started to block some scenes!

Eight Grade please read the email I sent you!!

I hope you are all staying healthy!

In fifth grade students watched their performance of “Lewis and Clark”. It is important that the children watch themselves perform.  This is a way for them to critique their performance and to see how they did as an ensemble. We then had a class discussion about things the fifth graders did well and things they need to improve on. For the most part everyone agreed that they could have had more gestures and projected better. The fifth graders also said they should have studied their lines and cues more at home. I appreciated their honesty and I told  them I was proud of them.  I hope you are were too.  Next week I will be teaching the children some new ensemble games.

In sixth grade we performed in class a mime activity.  We also made a class machine! Everyone had to add something to the machine to make a finished product! Our warm up consisted on an improvisational dance circle! I loved all of the creative and unique dance moves kids came up with! It can be difficult sometimes to be spontaneous and the kids all participated with confidence!

In Seventh grade students have continued their script analysis.  We talked about punctuation and what type  a breath you should take depending on the verse and punctuation. Punctuation is compared to musical rests.  Shakespeare gives the actor a lot clues with punctuation and capitalization. Students also worked on memorization and characterization.  Please help your children memorize. They are supposed to be off book by next Thursday!  We also talked about the importance of music in “Twelfth Night” and how we are going to incorporate it in our performance. Finally we figured out the minimal set pieces and props that each class would be using.   Next week we will work on blocking (entrances, exits, positions on stage).

In eighth grade, students have been learning the chorus/ensemble songs (the songs that everyone is in) . We have also started our design work and brainstorming  in individual crews. This weekend students will finally get their scripts and we will do our first read through tomorrow at rehearsal.  Students should start memorizing their music and lines right away.  Please help your child with this! Thanks again for your support. I will be emailing you all in the next week a rehearsal schedule as well as an explanation of what tech week is!

In fifth grade the Phoenix and Dragons class had their informance of “Lewis and Clark”. Thank you to those who were able to come and see what we have been working on in class. If you were not able to make it, there is a recording that you can watch! It is important that my students know that it is not about the final product, but more importantly about the process and what they have learned.  Both classes came a long way from where they started 🙂 

In sixth grade we are continuing to work on mime.  Students are starting to become more aware of their space and surroundings. They are also concentrating on the importance of eye contact when trying to get a message across. In class students have been more confident in their movements.   They are starting to really connect with their emotions and gestures.  

In Seventh grade students were assigned parts/roles for “Twelfth Night”.  Congrats to everyone for getting through your audition! Students will be reading and working on subtext in LASS.  In drama 7A will do the first half of the play and 7B will do the second half. It is an adapted script that the seventh graders will be performing. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for March 17th in the gym to watch your children perform! Many students are sharing a role so that everyone gets an opportunity to speak and experience Shakespeare.  This week in class, we finished our read through as well as decide who is taking what scenes.  Students also worked on their script analysis. Please help your children memorize their lines and cues. They are supposed to be off book February, 25th.  

Eight graders continues the audition process. This week, Mrs. Negus and I  had call backs for “The Little Mermaid”. I am very proud of how well everyone did at their audition.   The cast list will be posted next week! We also continued to organize the costume room and take inventory of items we have and need to buy.  Marketing crew also started selling concessions during lunch and after school to help raise money for the musical. I was very impressed with the items they selected to sell as well as their organization and enthusiasm! Go team!