Open Forum

I've just learned that there are only two students (one boy, one girl, both 9th graders) enrolled in my Intro to Theater class for next year and I'm on the hunt for interesting projects to keep them engaged.  The class is a blend of theater history/appreciation and in-class performance and does not have a public performance attached to it.  I can beef up the "appreciation" aspect of the class, but am concerned that they will "check-out" if there is too much on the that side of things and they aren't up on their feet on a regular basis.  I've been thinking through my arsenal of games and warm-ups and am realizing just how many of them are group based!  So, any suggestions would be welcome...

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Susan Speidel
Chairman of the Performing Arts Department
Morristown-Beard School
Springfield NJ
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Hi Susie,
My first thought was to have each write a 10 minute show (or longer if you want), and cast it from the rest of the class. Then perform for each others group. It might be fun for them (if their writing skills aren't strong, maybe they could adapt/fracture an already existing story), to be writer, director and producer. It would also give the rest of the class a practical participation in the creative process -- some could even design costumes/sets/etc (and keep it as simple as you like).
Just a thought. Good luck with whatever you decide....

Ron



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Ron Wells
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Lawton C Johnson Summit Middle School
Summit, NJ

Wow!  That is small.  I was feeling sorry for myself because I have one with 8, which is also pretty small.
For the games, do you have study hall during the day?  The reason I ask is that I sometimes get theater kids out of study hall to help out with various things during the day,, and maybe yo could borrow some kids just to get those group games..
In my very small class I will do the basics, improvs, games, etc and I will also have them memorize some poetry or Shakespearean quotations to get them ready for the Poetry Out Loud competition.  This is in addition to scenes and some study of theater history and conventions.
Will you have a production going on during the semester?  Could they work on the costume and tech aspects during their period?  That might be something practical plus get them working independently so they don't get too tired of each other..
Good luck, and let us know how it goes.  Nothing like a challenge!

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Katherine Miller
Theater Teacher
Paul VI Catholic High School
Herndon VA
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I have had small classes in the past and recruited students from the study hall during the same period to join us for different projects.  For example, we were studying Chekov and staging scenes from the Cherry Orchard so some students came in from the study hall to fill in the roles that were not cast in the class.  They enjoyed being able to perform but also didn't have the pressure of being in the class and having to complete all of the assignments associated with the unit.  

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Cindy Kennaugh
Theatre Arts Teacher
Windermere FL
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-22-2014 06:24
From: Katherine Miller
Subject: Things to do with a VERY small Theater Class

Wow!  That is small.  I was feeling sorry for myself because I have one with 8, which is also pretty small.
For the games, do you have study hall during the day?  The reason I ask is that I sometimes get theater kids out of study hall to help out with various things during the day,, and maybe yo could borrow some kids just to get those group games..
In my very small class I will do the basics, improvs, games, etc and I will also have them memorize some poetry or Shakespearean quotations to get them ready for the Poetry Out Loud competition.  This is in addition to scenes and some study of theater history and conventions.
Will you have a production going on during the semester?  Could they work on the costume and tech aspects during their period?  That might be something practical plus get them working independently so they don't get too tired of each other..
Good luck, and let us know how it goes.  Nothing like a challenge!

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Katherine Miller
Theater Teacher
Paul VI Catholic High School
Herndon VA
-------------------------------------------

I would suggest the same thing as far as adding a tech theatre component. Can ya'll work on the set, costumes or props? Can you teach them how to do a sound design? Sound Design for a straight play can be fun and it's something they could work on together. Start by reading the play in class, or inviting them to the read through with your cast. Props is something they could do, too. I do a marketing until with my advanced kids that includes writing psa's and radio spots and well as press releases. Perhaps that would be good? There are a lot of two person shows out there, can you create a cabaret night using your troupe members and include them? What about playwriting. Theatrefolk has great resources in that area. They could do themed plays to help out at school. Do you have an honor code? Is bullying a problem? How about scripting out a Dr. Seuss book and creating a presentation for the lower school grades for dr. Seuss day in Feb? One year, my kids did a puppet show of sorts. Reader's theatre, but they used giant 2-D puppets on paint stirrers as props. Are there any competitions in your area? Can they do some work with kids from a local elementary school? This would be a great recruitment tool for you, as well. Ask them what they want to learn and get them to help you create projects. Make greek theatre masks with balloons and paper mâché, etc. Hope all this helps! ------------------------------------------- Connie Voight Alabama Randolph School Huntsville AL -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 08-22-2014 06:24 From: Katherine Miller Subject: Things to do with a VERY small Theater Class Wow! That is small. I was feeling sorry for myself because I have one with 8, which is also pretty small. For the games, do you have study hall during the day? The reason I ask is that I sometimes get theater kids out of study hall to help out with various things during the day,, and maybe yo could borrow some kids just to get those group games.. In my very small class I will do the basics, improvs, games, etc and I will also have them memorize some poetry or Shakespearean quotations to get them ready for the Poetry Out Loud competition. This is in addition to scenes and some study of theater history and conventions. Will you have a production going on during the semester? Could they work on the costume and tech aspects during their period? That might be something practical plus get them working independently so they don't get too tired of each other.. Good luck, and let us know how it goes. Nothing like a challenge! ------------------------------------------- Katherine Miller Theater Teacher Paul VI Catholic High School Herndon VA -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 08-21-2014 09:52 From: Susan Speidel Subject: Things to do with a VERY small Theater Class I've just learned that there are only two students (one boy, one girl, both 9th graders) enrolled in my Intro to Theater class for next year and I'm on the hunt for interesting projects to keep them engaged. The class is a blend of theater history/appreciation and in-class performance and does not have a public performance attached to it. I can beef up the "appreciation" aspect of the class, but am concerned that they will "check-out" if there is too much on the that side of things and they aren't up on their feet on a regular basis. I've been thinking through my arsenal of games and warm-ups and am realizing just how many of them are group based! So, any suggestions would be welcome... ------------------------------------------- Susan Speidel Chairman of the Performing Arts Department Morristown-Beard School Springfield NJ -------------------------------------------

First of all, I think it's really cool of your admin to keep a course with only two students! Awesome! Now what to do with them... 1. Can you take them off campus? If not, this will still work with a homework component. In script writing, I have students go to a cafe for homework. Their task is to completely eavesdrop on one to two conversations while not being obvious. They must observe body language, cadence, pitch etc. they write up the dialogue in script form and present the dialogues in character to the class. It is an excellent exercise for getting actors to think about observation, character creation and writing dialogue that sounds natural. Also, when eavesdropping , they will find that truth is stranger than fiction. 2. I would do an acting-for- film unit. Since they will not have an audience of peers, it will be a great way for them to see themselves acting. ( personal message me if you like some material) 3. I would get them to design lessons of drama games and tasks for other classes. I.e. Get them to create a list of warm ups and a lesson on monologues to present to a younger English class who are studying Shakespeare. Or something similar- you have a lot of oppournuities for cross- curricular work. 4. Have them write a two person scene for a young audience. And bring them to a grade three class to perform it . 5. Warm ups for two: experience walks, any kind of mime especially with location cards where the other has to guess, improv: two person scenes with: dialogue guided by the alaphebet, pick up random lines on the floor, justification games ( one must be kneeling, the other standing at all times- there are so many. Actually, watch "whose line is it anyway " and you will see a lot of games are just for two and when needed you could be the third. Hope this helps! ------------------------------------------- Natasha Hart Montreal QC -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 08-22-2014 06:24 From: Katherine Miller Subject: Things to do with a VERY small Theater Class Wow! That is small. I was feeling sorry for myself because I have one with 8, which is also pretty small. For the games, do you have study hall during the day? The reason I ask is that I sometimes get theater kids out of study hall to help out with various things during the day,, and maybe yo could borrow some kids just to get those group games.. In my very small class I will do the basics, improvs, games, etc and I will also have them memorize some poetry or Shakespearean quotations to get them ready for the Poetry Out Loud competition. This is in addition to scenes and some study of theater history and conventions. Will you have a production going on during the semester? Could they work on the costume and tech aspects during their period? That might be something practical plus get them working independently so they don't get too tired of each other.. Good luck, and let us know how it goes. Nothing like a challenge! ------------------------------------------- Katherine Miller Theater Teacher Paul VI Catholic High School Herndon VA -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 08-21-2014 09:52 From: Susan Speidel Subject: Things to do with a VERY small Theater Class I've just learned that there are only two students (one boy, one girl, both 9th graders) enrolled in my Intro to Theater class for next year and I'm on the hunt for interesting projects to keep them engaged. The class is a blend of theater history/appreciation and in-class performance and does not have a public performance attached to it. I can beef up the "appreciation" aspect of the class, but am concerned that they will "check-out" if there is too much on the that side of things and they aren't up on their feet on a regular basis. I've been thinking through my arsenal of games and warm-ups and am realizing just how many of them are group based! So, any suggestions would be welcome... ------------------------------------------- Susan Speidel Chairman of the Performing Arts Department Morristown-Beard School Springfield NJ -------------------------------------------

Wow.  That is tiny.  You could take a game like freeze and modify it (since there's no one to swap in).  Perhaps instead of freeze, periodically you call out a new word, and based on the new word, they have to begin a new scene using that word as inspiration.  For example, they are doing a scene set in a bank and you yell out "chicken."  They must immediately change course and switch into a scene that involves a chicken in some way.  (And there are probably a lot of ways to tweak that sort of thing to create almost endless variations.)

In terms of writing, while I was going to say that it wouldn't really be possible to write a short play and then cast it from the rest of the class (because there really is no rest of the class), often as playwrights we write for particular actors.  For example, the Jake/Jane monologues that form the core of my play 4 A.M. were created with my young actor friend Jake from Australia in mind.  So it might be fun to write monologues for each other to perform.  In fact, you could start with a series of short monologues and maybe build up to writing a (very short) one-person play by the end of the year.

Or what about a costuming project of some kind where they either have to costume themselves or the other person?

Cheers,
Jonathan

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Jonathan Dorf
Playwright/ Co-founder of YouthPLAYS/ Co-chair of The Alliance Of Los Angeles Playwrights
Los Angeles CA
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I've been where you are, and it totally depends on whether the students are beginners or have a little experience. I liked to really mix it up! * study film history - it's always fun to start at the beginning students with silent films and work forward. I never went past the 1940's. There's a great website: teachwithmovies.org that has discussion questions, etc. * discuss great directors and actors from the Golden Age (Alfred Hitchcock, Clark Gable, etc). * use one of those films for a project - have them write a different ending, create (on paper) different costumes or set * tap into their creativity by doing board games or interactive games (Scattegories, Head Bandz, Pictionary, etc) * field trip to see backstage, costumes, makeup, etc of a local show * monologues * help with an elementary play Think outside the box! ------------------------------------------- Connie Sandoz Theatre Director Henderson NV -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 08-21-2014 09:52 From: Susan Speidel Subject: Things to do with a VERY small Theater Class I've just learned that there are only two students (one boy, one girl, both 9th graders) enrolled in my Intro to Theater class for next year and I'm on the hunt for interesting projects to keep them engaged. The class is a blend of theater history/appreciation and in-class performance and does not have a public performance attached to it. I can beef up the "appreciation" aspect of the class, but am concerned that they will "check-out" if there is too much on the that side of things and they aren't up on their feet on a regular basis. I've been thinking through my arsenal of games and warm-ups and am realizing just how many of them are group based! So, any suggestions would be welcome... ------------------------------------------- Susan Speidel Chairman of the Performing Arts Department Morristown-Beard School Springfield NJ -------------------------------------------

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.  They are very helpful and I now feel like I can craft a class that will keep them engaged.   With our schedule, it is difficult to get kids out of study halls or free periods, but I am definitely going to give it a try.  Ultimately, since all our arts classes are electives, there is the possibility that one, or both, of the students currently enrolled will drop the class in the first weeks of school.  In that case, it will be cancelled.  I hop note, as I'm now excited to see what I can do in this scenario, but we'll see.  It will be interesting.  

Happy back to school, everyone, and thanks again!

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Susan Speidel
Chairman of the Performing Arts Department
Morristown-Beard School
Springfield NJ
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-23-2014 17:43
From: Connie Sandoz
Subject: Things to do with a VERY small Theater Class

I've been where you are, and it totally depends on whether the students are beginners or have a little experience. I liked to really mix it up!
* study film history - it's always fun to start at the beginning students with silent films and work forward. I never went past the 1940's. There's a great website: teachwithmovies.org that has discussion questions, etc.
* discuss great directors and actors from the Golden Age (Alfred Hitchcock, Clark Gable, etc).
* use one of those films for a project - have them write a different ending, create (on paper) different costumes or set
* tap into their creativity by doing board games or interactive games (Scattegories, Head Bandz, Pictionary, etc)
* field trip to see backstage, costumes, makeup, etc of a local show
* monologues
* help with an elementary play

Think outside the box!

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Connie Sandoz
Theatre Director
Henderson NV
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Susan,  Sorry for the late reply.  I didn't see that anyone had mentioned theatre dance.   It could be a lot of fun even with only two students.  And every theatre person needs to know the waltz.
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Vicki Bartholomew
Playwright
Sherwood OR
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Hello! What about doing a 2 person show with them such as Jerry Finnigans Sister or The Prettiest Girl In Layette County! That would be a really neat process for them especially with it being in such a small group! I wish I would have had that opportunity in high school!

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Grae Greer
Marshall University
Huntington WV
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Sent via Higher Logic Mobile



Original Message:
Sent: 9/8/2014 11:20:54 PM
From: bartholomewvicki@aol.com
Subject: RE: Things to do with a VERY small Theater Class

Susan,  Sorry for the late reply.  I didn't see that anyone had mentioned theatre dance.   It could be a lot of fun even with only two students.  And every theatre person needs to know the waltz. ------------------------------------------- Vicki Bartholomew Playwright Sherwood OR -------------------------------------------

Two years ago I had an advanced class with a boy and girl in which we produced two one-acts, Views by Mrinilini Kamath and Sure Thing by David Ives.  You could work with them on these one-acts for a performance or just as in-class exercises.  These were both great fun and we put them on the bill with student-written productions and the improv team!

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Shannon Peery
Sumner Academy Of Arts & Science
Kansas City KS
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-08-2014 23:20
From: Vicki Bartholomew
Subject: Things to do with a VERY small Theater Class

Susan,  Sorry for the late reply.  I didn't see that anyone had mentioned theatre dance.   It could be a lot of fun even with only two students.  And every theatre person needs to know the waltz.
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Vicki Bartholomew
Playwright
Sherwood OR
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