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
Showing posts with label Southern Rep. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Southern Rep. Show all posts
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Little Moments That Are Giant Leaps
We’ve had our best classes yet in the past month. We were talking through some of our favorite moments the other day – and kept touching on moments when the kids really took risks, stepped outside of themselves, and allowed some moment of transformation to take place. When they weren’t these excited-but-playing-it-cool kids in a classroom crowded with too much furniture and not enough play space – moments when we really saw their imaginations take over, and they experienced moments of total immersion in a character.
We have begun reading the Lorax by Dr. Seuss, which deals with the environmental destruction of fictitious Truffula Trees by the greedy Once-ler. This piece was chosen for the students to adapt because being from New Orleans, they could relate to the destruction of home and environment. Most are too young to remember actually going through the experience of Katrina, but they all remember last summer’s BP oil debacle. They were asked questions about what they remembered about the oil spill. Which marine life was affected? Was there a smell? Did they like crawfish and shrimp? Then we read through the Lorax and then talked about how this story is similar to what New Orleans and the Gulf Coast went through, and is still going through. In our next session, we started putting the story on its feet, with the kids acting out the story as it was narrated. They really got into depicting/ translating each aspect of the story – not just the defined characters like the Once-ler, but becoming the trees, swaying in the breeze. It was awesome.
Outside of the Lorax, we’ve continued to work with acting and story-telling exercises. A favorite exercise moment occurred during a session working with onomatopoetics. First, we went around the circle, and the kids were given obvious words to make onomatopoetic: Smash, clip-clop, etc. Then they worked their way into sentences, like “the girl fell faaaaar faaaaar faaaar down the well.” And there was this little boy with ADHD who really has a tough time focusing – he was given the sentence “And then the little bird fell fast asleep.” At first, he rushed through it and just said the words. But then we got in front of each other, kneeling on the floor, looking into each other’s faces. We took turns repeating it, until gradually, the words came out where the “little bird” was this tiny, vulnerable thing, and faaaaaaast asleep, was hushed, and soft, and gentle. It was a tiny moment, really – just a sentence. But he made it come alive, and that felt like a giant leap.
On to April!
-Gamal Chasten & Marieke Gaboury
We have begun reading the Lorax by Dr. Seuss, which deals with the environmental destruction of fictitious Truffula Trees by the greedy Once-ler. This piece was chosen for the students to adapt because being from New Orleans, they could relate to the destruction of home and environment. Most are too young to remember actually going through the experience of Katrina, but they all remember last summer’s BP oil debacle. They were asked questions about what they remembered about the oil spill. Which marine life was affected? Was there a smell? Did they like crawfish and shrimp? Then we read through the Lorax and then talked about how this story is similar to what New Orleans and the Gulf Coast went through, and is still going through. In our next session, we started putting the story on its feet, with the kids acting out the story as it was narrated. They really got into depicting/ translating each aspect of the story – not just the defined characters like the Once-ler, but becoming the trees, swaying in the breeze. It was awesome.
Outside of the Lorax, we’ve continued to work with acting and story-telling exercises. A favorite exercise moment occurred during a session working with onomatopoetics. First, we went around the circle, and the kids were given obvious words to make onomatopoetic: Smash, clip-clop, etc. Then they worked their way into sentences, like “the girl fell faaaaar faaaaar faaaar down the well.” And there was this little boy with ADHD who really has a tough time focusing – he was given the sentence “And then the little bird fell fast asleep.” At first, he rushed through it and just said the words. But then we got in front of each other, kneeling on the floor, looking into each other’s faces. We took turns repeating it, until gradually, the words came out where the “little bird” was this tiny, vulnerable thing, and faaaaaaast asleep, was hushed, and soft, and gentle. It was a tiny moment, really – just a sentence. But he made it come alive, and that felt like a giant leap.
On to April!
-Gamal Chasten & Marieke Gaboury
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Working off of each other
This month felt like a big break through time for our YO NOLA kids.
We continue to be challenged by the realities of physical space, end of long school day attention span of 3rd and 4th graders, and missing kids due to detention, transportation issues at home, and the like -- But, even within these confines, the work took a big leap forward. They are getting excited by connecting with one another. This feels huge. We've done a lot of improvisation exercises that are about transferring energy and information from one to the next, and you can see how this gets them more deeply invested in working together as a group, off of each other - instead of showing off for the group.
A favorite exercise moment --
The kids learned the vocal warm up that starts "What to do to die today at a minute or two to two ..." and we spontaneously kept it going, until we found ourselves crouched to the floor - speaking in unison in low, clear voices, drumming with our hands on the ground as the dragon approached. And you could feel it - this electricity and excitement in the room that came from taking what existed between all of us in the moment and truly committing to it. It was actually a pretty compelling performance.
Yo Nola is laying the ground work for the story that will be their first original play, created by the ensemble. We've been working with re-telling classic stories, and infusing them with information from the kids' lives. They have chosen that their final semester project will be a retelling of The Lorax.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Into The Classrooms At Last
January is upon us, and we’re actually present in the school. After such a long build-up, it’s so exciting to really be getting going.
Before the holidays, students were given applications to take home, and upon return in January, they scheduled interviews; which began this past week.
We are still dealing with the logistical twists and turns that come from working with a school that must really make funds stretch, while being ambitious about their academic programming. (But is it really any different in not for profit theatre companies?)
It’s interesting working with kids at this young age. Fewer of them have developed a specific interest in theatre (compared to work with high school students who have had more time for this focus to develop). In fact, there was one instance where a young man confessed he had only checked a box saying he had interest in acting at the urging and orders of his mother. But for the most part, there is already a real sense of excitement building from the kids. We’re going to have some tough choices narrowing down for the class size – but we should end up with a great group.
Being in the school, we get exposure to the strict atmosphere that is intended to keep kids in line, and focused on their studies. These are kids that are coming from a neighborhood that has been underserved for a long time – and they are being pressed to take school very seriously. And while Yo Nola requires a real commitment, we think that it might be just what these kids need – to get into a room and really play together. Playing with a purpose, and with defined goals, for sure – but creating something that comes from their hearts.
We are loving it!
More in February as classes progress.
Before the holidays, students were given applications to take home, and upon return in January, they scheduled interviews; which began this past week.
We are still dealing with the logistical twists and turns that come from working with a school that must really make funds stretch, while being ambitious about their academic programming. (But is it really any different in not for profit theatre companies?)
It’s interesting working with kids at this young age. Fewer of them have developed a specific interest in theatre (compared to work with high school students who have had more time for this focus to develop). In fact, there was one instance where a young man confessed he had only checked a box saying he had interest in acting at the urging and orders of his mother. But for the most part, there is already a real sense of excitement building from the kids. We’re going to have some tough choices narrowing down for the class size – but we should end up with a great group.
Being in the school, we get exposure to the strict atmosphere that is intended to keep kids in line, and focused on their studies. These are kids that are coming from a neighborhood that has been underserved for a long time – and they are being pressed to take school very seriously. And while Yo Nola requires a real commitment, we think that it might be just what these kids need – to get into a room and really play together. Playing with a purpose, and with defined goals, for sure – but creating something that comes from their hearts.
We are loving it!
More in February as classes progress.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Southern Rep announces YO NOLA
Southern Rep, in our 24th year of bringing New Plays to New Orleans, is thrilled to announce the pilot program of an innovative arts and life-skills educational opportunity for a diverse population of traditionally under-served youth.
YO NOLA (Youth Onstage New Orleans, LA), will be a youth theatre company that is run via a free after school program, aimed at kids ages 7 to 12.
Each YO NOLA member will serve the company in multiple, rotating rolls, responsible for the running, operating, and creative output of this junior theatre company. Along with daily mentor supervised operations (including meetings with staff, board, and topic specific committees), members take classes in acting, writing, directing, design, stage management, marketing, fundraising and theatre business management. The company will produce original works, created by the ensemble, which will draw on current events and peer issues, as well as classic literature, fairytales and myths.
This exciting program will be lead by our newly hired Arts Education Director, Gamal Chasten. Gamal is a founding member of the performance troupe UNIVERSES and is a singer, songwriter, poet, actor and educator. Gamal has been working in arts education with high risk and underserved youth for ten years, with students ranging from grade school to graduate school. He has worked closely with incarcerated youth and done workshops across the
Gamal will be blogging about our practice sessions, and keep you updated as we begin work with our first YO NOLA class in January. The kids are going through an application and interview process, in an effort to create the environment of a professional theatre company from the very beginning. We're so excited to be getting started!
Monday, October 18, 2010
MetLife Foundation and TCG Announce Third Round Recipients of the A-ha! Program
MetLife Foundation and Theatre Communications Group announce the third round of recipients for the A-ha! Program: Think It, Do It, which encourages TCG member theatres to think and act creatively. Six theatres were awarded grants, totaling $225,000, to either research and develop new production ideas or experiment and implement innovative concepts in the theatre field. The total award amount is a 50 percent increase from last year’s total of $150,000.
The 2010 A-ha! Program recipients are:
Think It
Pillsbury House Theatre will develop its transformation into a Cultural Community Hub. The project will focus on assessment and metrics planning that will define and measure organizational success.
Curious Theatre Company will explore innovative opportunities for reinventing the resident artistic company model for the 21st century American theatre, by re-centering artists within producing organizations.
Center Theatre Group plans to conduct focus groups and interviews with students, academic administrators and theatres to explore an internship model that pairs graduate students in arts administration with Los Angeles theatres.
Do It
Southern Rep will establish Youth Onstage New Orleans, LA (YO NOLA) as a pilot program to bring the arts to the underserved population at a New Orleans elementary school, via a student-run theatre company. This program includes mentoring, workshops and building life skills.
Northlight Theatre is building Northlight On Campus, a two-year, comprehensive residency program in one underserved suburban middle school featuring after-school drama programs, artist visits, student matinees and a commissioned play for students.
Dad's Garage Theatre Company will create their first season of online content in tandem with their live work. This ongoing initiative will be self sustaining and will redefine them from a theatre company to a creative company.
The 2010 A-ha! Program recipients are:
Think It
Pillsbury House Theatre will develop its transformation into a Cultural Community Hub. The project will focus on assessment and metrics planning that will define and measure organizational success.
Curious Theatre Company will explore innovative opportunities for reinventing the resident artistic company model for the 21st century American theatre, by re-centering artists within producing organizations.
Center Theatre Group plans to conduct focus groups and interviews with students, academic administrators and theatres to explore an internship model that pairs graduate students in arts administration with Los Angeles theatres.
Do It
Southern Rep will establish Youth Onstage New Orleans, LA (YO NOLA) as a pilot program to bring the arts to the underserved population at a New Orleans elementary school, via a student-run theatre company. This program includes mentoring, workshops and building life skills.
Northlight Theatre is building Northlight On Campus, a two-year, comprehensive residency program in one underserved suburban middle school featuring after-school drama programs, artist visits, student matinees and a commissioned play for students.
Dad's Garage Theatre Company will create their first season of online content in tandem with their live work. This ongoing initiative will be self sustaining and will redefine them from a theatre company to a creative company.
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