I am pretty much the luckiest Arts Bridge scholar. I am working with the BEST group of 6th graders on the planet.
As theater instructors and aficionados, it is our dream to have every student we work with be just as excited and enthusiastic about drama as we are. Having directed children's theater and having worked with youth in the past, I can assure you that dream is usually far from reality. However, on Friday, October 26, 2012, my dreams came true the day I met Mrs. Neilsen's 6th grade class.
I walked in and they greeted me with smiles and (some) cheers. My first thought was, "OH MY GOSH THERE ARE SO MANY OF YOU" (35 to be exact). However, as I looked at their eager and friendly little 11 and 12-year-old faces looking up at me, I had a good feeling about the experience we were going to have together.
I decided to make my impression with a fun game I learned in high school. My drama teacher made it up one day listening to "Oh, so quiet" by Bjork in the shower. It never really had a name, so we just called it the "Bjork Game". As I introduced it to the kids, they looked at me blankly. Obviously, they had no idea who she was. I told 'em to look her up (possible error in judgement on my part).
The game is pretty simple: Each participant comes up with a gesture and vocalization to go with it. In this case, since I wanted to start learning their names, I had them say their name and then come up with a gesture to go with it. The bigger the gesture, the better.
The song, "Oh So Quiet", is unique because the verse is slower and softer, and the chorus is louder and faster.
Now, there is a person in the middle whose job is to point to people. When the "pointer" points at you, you say your name and do your gesture according to the music.
For example: If you are pointed at and it's during a softer and slower part of the song, you would say your name and perform the gesture as such (think slow-mo). If you are pointed to and it is during the faster and louder part of the song, you would perform your name and gesture loud and with lots of energy. The pointer continuously points at individuals for the duration of the song. If the pointer puts his/her hands up in the air, that means everyone goes!
This activity helps students get out of their comfort zones and is a good activity for getting kids energy up (in a controlled manner). It's also a fun way to see the kids' personalities and how they express themselves.
Then it was time to do the activity...
Now, coming into this project I expected to face a lot of attitude, unwillingness to participate, etc. Shelly assured me that she had a great group of kids. I was skeptical- I mean, 35 wonderful, willing sixth graders? Wouldn't you be as well?!
Shelly was not lying. Every single student participated- no eye rolls, no huffing and puffing in defiance, no resisting participation. After we went through activity, I asked them,
"Did you guys enjoy this game?"
"YES!" they replied.
"Did any of you think this game was dumb or lame?"
"No!"
My heart was soaring.
"Do you guys want to play again?"
"YEAH!"
Who are you these kids and why are they so AWESOME!? Yeah, we totally played it again.
After the game, we talked about the play we were going to be working on. It is a fun version of "The Iliad" by Homer. I told them how they would be auditioning for parts, and how we'd work on creating characters and how we'd incorporate others' talents into the show as well. Every student has a talent that he/she can bring to the show. Amongst this class of 6th graders are several dancers, musicians, artists, and even karate proteges! I told them we will use all these talents- if not in this show, then definitely in our Shakespeare show next semester. Lucky for me, there are a few students who would rather work behind the scenes, help with props, scenery and even assistant direct the show! These aspects are just as important as the actual performance and I am excited that these students will be able to experience this aspect of theater.
Theater (and all forms of performance) has a special way of bringing out the best in us. I have found this to be true especially in children. Even the quietest and reserved child and the loudest and most "at-risk" child will surprise you (and themselves!) and find a niche within performance. It is a way to express yourself. There is something largely appealing about immersing yourself into the world that's been created and portraying a character other than yourself. Through performance art we can exceed our own expectations and rise above the labels and stereotypes others may categorize us in. For me, as a very shy child who was made fun of and struggled to fit in, theater helped me find my voice and self-confidence to help me succeed.
I can't wait to see this class find their voices, express themselves, and rise above expectation.
Auditions are on Tuesday! Can't wait to see what these kids bring to the table! (Pics and video of our process to come!)
