Program Update: Drama with Tara

The second half of the year is abuzz with production energy in the drama room!

This week the 7th graders are preparing their One Act Play festival. Performances will be on Thursday (3/7) at 6:00 p.m.

• 7th grade students should arrive by 5:15 p.m. 
• Lisa is hosting causal connection time with tea for families in the English Room
• Please note that we only have room for families of 7th grade students to attend the event. 
• 6th grade students will see the performances Friday morning.

The 7th graders shared their first run throughs with their sections Monday, and wow. They are already in great shape. The students have written funny, over the top 10-minute plays that will capture the audience’s attention and have them laughing in delight. From murder mystery to historial spoof, the plays promise to be a good time for all. Seeing the students rise to the challenge of producing these plays on such a short timeline, makes me incredibly excited to see them tackle their next challenge - Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night! 

Please note our other upcoming performances:

• 6th Grade Play Festival: Wednesday, April 24 at 6:00 p.m.
• 7th Grade 12th Night Performances: Wednesday, May 1 (7A) OR Thursday, May 2 at 6:00 p.m. (7B)
• 8th Grade Play Festival: Thursday, April 25 at 6:00 p.m.
• Please note: at this time, we only have enough space to invite the families of the students performing to each show. We will strive to have time during school when students can perform for their peers.

6th graders are not far behind the 7th graders - they jumped into the devising process with both feet! Each section was quickly able to establish the themes of their plays and the overall plot. There must be something in the air, because both classes are doing murder mystery comedies! Their plots and settings are very different, but there is a similar playful approach, both even have a little romance. I have to say that I have been impressed with this class’s ability to listen to each other’s ideas and find ways to compromise and come together. Every 6th grader is finding ways to contribute their unique flare. We are all excited to figure out who-done-it.

8th graders have finished their directing unit. Directors and designers have been chosen, and the directing team is in the process of selecting plays and casting shows based on their peer’s feedback. The energy around the process is so fun! When the students return from Rome we will hit the ground running. Directors will share their design concepts with their actors and design team, and then rehearsals and set, props, and costume creation will begin. I have been looking forward to this unit with this group of students since they were in 6th grade. They have shown that they know how to put on a show, and I can’t wait to see what they do now that they have the reins!