These Kids Are Getting It Done!

It has been a great month of developing ideas and writing with the class. After completing The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, we then took some time to act out the story. Taking turns with children exchanging roles, which helped them understand the story in a physical way. This was followed by a brainstorming session about the relevance of The Lorax, in context with their experience or memory of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Out of the brainstorm session came phrases and words related to their memories, and/or experience from one year ago. Once that list was collected they build on those phrases with poems, stories, and song.

It's been a little tough this month with all of the testing that the kids have to prepare for, plus spring break, that has interrupted our process, but we were still able to meet in between those interruptions and get another writing exercise done. Using the words DeepWater / Horizon / Oil Spill, the kids were ask to pick one of the three words/phrases and come up with a list of other words and phrases that rhymed or create an alliteration. We're very excited about the outcome. They developed some entertaining play on words. It will be a great addition to the show we are building.

In May, we bring them to our space at Southern Rep for the duration of the program. We're very excited about that -- with think being in our environment (rather than in their familiar school surroundings) will help them focus as they get their play up on it's feet, and maybe just raise the stakes a bit more. Plus we'll be incorporating more of the marketing, development, directing and design components that are such an important part of our program.

Hard to believe we're down to the final month of our first year of the Pilot Program. Time has been flying by.
- Gamal Chasten, Education Director
& Marieke Gaboury, Managing Director